Munger Moss Motel (Closed)
Lebanon, MO Photo courtesy Rod Holcomb
Lebanon is home to one of the best-known stops along Route 66. Munger Moss Motel has welcomed travelers for generations with its towering neon sign, a marquee that's become just as famous as the motel itself. If you've driven the Mother Road, chances are you've seen this one—or at least seen a photo of it. It's one of those signs that belongs on every Route 66 road trip. 11-10
The Munger Moss name dates back to the late 1930s, when a barbecue stand operated in nearby Devil's Elbow. After Route 66 was realigned, the business moved to Lebanon, and in 1946 the owners added a 14-unit motel behind the restaurant. The familiar neon sign arrived during an expansion in the 1950s and has been drawing travelers in ever since.
For more than 50 years, Bob and Ramona Lehman made the motel a favorite stop for visitors from around the world. Route 66 enthusiasts knew they could count on a warm welcome and a chance to experience one of the highway's true classics. The sign probably appears in more Route 66 photo albums than just about any other motel marquee.
UPDATE: Overnight motel operations came to an end in 2024 following the passing of longtime owner Ramona Lehman. The property has since been converted into apartments, but fortunately the famous neon sign still stands along Route 66. The City of Lebanon now helps preserve and illuminate the landmark, ensuring this Route 66 favorite continues welcoming travelers for years to come. 07-26
Wagon Wheel Motel
Cuba, MO
Photo courtesy Jane Reed
One of the true Route 66 classics, the Wagon Wheel Motel has been welcoming travelers to Cuba, Missouri since the 1930s. The stone cabins, rustic charm, and famous neon sign have made it a favorite stop for generations of road trippers. If you're looking for an authentic Route 66 overnight stay, it doesn't get much better than this. 12-10
The Wagon Wheel opened in 1936, with its stone guest cabins following a couple of years later. As the oldest continuously operating motel on Route 66, it has watched the Mother Road change from America's busiest highway to one of its most celebrated road trips. The property has expanded over the years, but it has never lost the character that made it special in the first place.
A major restoration began in 2009 under owner Connie Echols, who carefully brought the motel back to life while preserving the details that made it a Route 66 favorite. The result is a motel that feels much the way travelers remember it, only a little fresher. Be sure to check out Roadside Peek's Spotlight on the Wagon Wheel Motel for more photos, including a look inside the rooms.
UPDATE: The Wagon Wheel remains open and continues welcoming Route 66 travelers from around the world. In 2026, ownership passed to Rich and Christina Dinkela, who have pledged to continue preserving this Missouri Route 66 landmark for future generations of road trippers. 07-26
John's Modern Cabins (Gone)
Newburg, MO
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Time hasn't been especially kind to John's Modern Cabins. Tucked away just down the road from Vernelle's Motel, the old tourist court sat quietly along Route 66 as Interstate traffic rushed by, most drivers never realizing one of Missouri's oldest roadside stops was just a few hundred feet away.
The cabins first opened in 1931 and later became John's Modern Cabins after the property was expanded in the early 1950s. For years, the hand-painted roadside sign invited travelers in for cabins, jackets, beer, and ice—a combination that probably covered most of a road tripper's needs. Unlike many Route 66 motel signs, this one relied on bold lettering instead of flashy neon, making it every bit as memorable.
As Route 66 faded and Interstate 44 drew away traffic, the cabins slowly slipped into decline. One by one the little buildings gave in to the weather, becoming a favorite stop for photographers who wanted to capture a disappearing piece of the Mother Road before it was too late.
UPDATE: Sadly, the last of the cabin ruins were cleared away in 2024 after decades of deterioration. Fortunately, the famous roadside sign was removed beforehand and is now being preserved by the owners of the neighboring Vernelle's Route 66 RV Park. It's a shame the cabins couldn't be saved, but at least one of Missouri's best-known Route 66 signs will live on. 07-26
Boots Motel
Carthage, MO Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Well, not necessarily a parking lot, but another chain drugstore or restaurant
which wouldn't be much different to a roadside or Route 66 enthusiast.
The Boots Motel has been well known for years as a fine lodging establishment
located right on the Mother Road with good hospitality, a historic motel
that's been well taken care of, and a fine neon sign to boot.
Built in 1939 at the crossroads of Route 66 and U.S. 71, Boots Court was designed in the sleek Streamline Moderne style that perfectly captured the excitement of the automobile age. Over the years it welcomed countless travelers, including actor Clark Gable, who reportedly stayed here more than once. The rooms have been carefully restored to reflect the motel's early years, right down to the vintage radios that still greet overnight guests.
Of course, it's the neon sign that steals the show. With its bold Art Deco styling and classic "Drive In - Air Conditioned - Radio" lettering, it's one of those signs that every Route 66 fan hopes to photograph. It's hard to drive by without slowing down for a look.
UPDATE: Boots Court is once again welcoming travelers after an extensive restoration that brought this Route 66 landmark back to life. The beautifully restored neon sign lights up every evening, proving that one of the Mother Road's greatest success stories is still being written. 07-26
Finn's Motel (Rem.)
St. James, MO Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Here's a classic little Route 66 motel that's still welcoming travelers to St. James. Finn's Motel has all the ingredients that make an old roadside stop worth noticing, from its vintage sign to its row of rooms that harken back to the days when family-owned motor courts lined America's highways.
Located just off old Route 66, Finn's has been providing a place to spend the night for generations of road trippers. While the motel has seen updates over the years, it still has the look and feel of an independent roadside motel instead of another cookie-cutter chain. Places like this are part of what makes traveling the Mother Road so much fun—you never know when you'll come across another survivor from the highway's busiest years.
That old sign probably talked plenty of weary travelers into pulling over for the night.
UPDATE: Finn's Motel remains open under newer ownership with updated rooms for today's Route 66 travelers. Unfortunately, the original roadside sign disappeared many years ago, making photos like this a nice reminder of what once greeted motorists along the highway. 07-26
Finn's Motel (Rem.)
