US hwy 54 thru Mo & Illinois

There is a bit of information in this thread that may be helpful.

It's generally a good road through Missouri, although a lot of it southwest of Camdenton and the Lake of the Ozarks is two lanes with not a lot of shoulder. Most of the congestion around the Lake was relieved by a new bypass a few years ago. Once you're past the Lake and on you way to Jefferson it's an excellent four lane divided road (the legislators like to be able to go on vacation), continuing up past Fulton, Kingdom City and up to Mexico. There's some narrowed but still good road continuing up to US61 by Bowling Green, where 54 ends. From there, go up to Hannibal, cross the river, and continue east on I-72/US36, also an excellent highway.

Bowling Green, where 54 ends

US-54 does not end at Bowling Green, MO. It continues across the Mississippi River at Louisiana, MO and continues on to Griggsville, IL.

I have been on US-54 from Carrizozo NM to Jefferson City MO and it is mostly a good road except for a 50 mile or so South of Corona NM and they were working on some of it two years ago.

54 is a good road through Missouri. Not a lot of traffic and 4 lane in parts of it.

Fred_n_Jo wrote:

Bowling Green, where 54 ends

US-54 does not end at Bowling Green, MO. It continues across the Mississippi River at Louisiana, MO and continues on to Griggsville, IL.

Fred_n_Jo, I forgot about the Louisiana crossing. Thanks for the correction.

Fred_n_Jo wrote:

Bowling Green, where 54 ends

US-54 does not end at Bowling Green, MO. It continues across the Mississippi River at Louisiana, MO and continues on to Griggsville, IL.

Fred_n_Jo, I forgot about the Louisiana crossing. Thanks for the correction.

Regularly (4-8 times a year) take 54 as diagonal route from Fort Scott to I-72. Road is usually decent, not much heavy truck traffic, but a but slow with local rural traffic and small towns. The new bypass zips right past Osage Beach, but Camdentown traffic is still a pain at height of tourist season with people not knowing where they are going and suddenly slamming on brakes to enter a driveway or making impromptu left turns from the right lane.

When in more of a hurry and still not wanting to take I-44/I-55, I will go up to KC, take I-35 the short distance to Cameron, and follow US-36 to meet with I-72. 36 has been upgraded to 4-lane divided and bypasses, or is controlled access through, all of the larger towns and small cities, For a steady 65mph all the way across. I average 45-50 mph crossing Missouri on US-54, which for travel tome negates anything gained by the shorter distance.

US-54 is a decent "motorcycle road" from about Nevada to Camdentown, which might be the opposite of a goog RV route for some. Lots of short hills and moderate speed curves, just a bit of a problem with occasional slow vehicles on blind approaches. Camdentown, however, you want a steel cage around you, everybody is driving distracted.

Thanks to all for the replies. Helped in planning my route.

DICK

How is the bridge at Louisiana, MO??? I ask because there is a bridge on US Hwy 45 in Illinois crossing the Ohio River to Paducah, Ky that I didn't care for driving a car, much less a MH & toad. Hoping this one is not that bad.

Thanks
DICK