Take a drive through the heart of the Missouri Ozarks as we follow U.S. Route 65 from the Queen City of the Ozarks—Springfield—down to the entertainment capital of the Midwest: Branson. This 40-mile southbound journey weaves through rolling farmland, wooded ridgelines, and fast-growing towns, offering a glimpse into both the natural beauty and cultural vibrance of southern Missouri.
Our trip begins on the southeast side of Springfield, merging onto US-65 from Chestnut Expressway. Immediately, the urban energy is evident as we pass a series of interchanges serving Springfield’s eastern neighborhoods. The road here is a modern expressway—wide, smooth, and built for speed—cutting a clean line between suburban development and patches of open land. Soon, we arrive at the major cloverleaf interchange with US-60, the gateway to southern Missouri and a key junction for travelers heading east to Rogersville or west toward Republic and Monett.
Beyond the US-60 junction, Springfield’s cityscape begins to thin out as the Ozark Plateau unfolds around us. The terrain shifts subtly—more trees line the highway, and the hills become a little steeper. We pass through Ozark, a fast-growing commuter town that retains a rustic charm despite its proximity to the city. This area has blossomed in recent decades, its mix of subdivisions and old homesteads hinting at the blend of past and present. We pass the exit for Jackson Street, one of the main thoroughfares into downtown Ozark, before pushing onward into greener, more rural territory.
Continuing south, the highway becomes increasingly scenic. We cruise past Saddlebrooke, a residential enclave nestled into the hills, and then approach the interchange with US-160 near Walnut Shade, a small community surrounded by forested slopes and quiet valleys. The road here begins to curve and undulate with the landscape, framed on either side by dense stands of oak and hickory. It’s a peaceful stretch—one that feels distinctly Ozark, marked by the gentle rise and fall of the highway and the deepening sense of wilderness.
As we near Branson, we briefly exit at the interchange with MO-76, the now-decommissioned Ozark Mountain Highroad, once planned as a northern bypass of the city. Though the route never fully came to fruition, the interchange remains a vestige of what might have been. From here, the descent into Branson begins. The roadside starts to populate quickly—Bee Creek Road marks the edge of town, home to a bustling retail corridor filled with chain stores, restaurants, and the kinds of amenities that cater to both tourists and locals alike.
Just ahead, we reach the interchange with MO-248, better known as the Shepherd of the Hills Expressway. This marks the true arrival into Branson, where the terrain tightens, the traffic thickens, and the scenery becomes a patchwork of hilltop motels, miniature golf courses, and show marquees. US-65 takes a final, gentle bend southwest as we approach MO-76, also known as Country Boulevard—the neon-lit backbone of Branson’s entertainment district. Here, the highway offers one last view over the city’s scenic downtown before we end our journey at the interchange that feeds directly into the heart of the Branson strip.
From Springfield’s suburban edge to Branson’s country-music core, this stretch of US-65 offers more than just a ride—it’s a transition zone between city life and Ozark escape. Whether you’re headed for a lakefront weekend, a live show, or a backroads detour into the hills, this corridor sets the stage for all that southern Missouri has to offer.
🗺️ Route Map
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