St Louis is right on the way. Cards game, Grant's Farm, and a few state parks are an hour away (either side of river). Meramac caverns (I've driven by but never been there)
Lake of the Ozarks in central MO
Springfield, Branson MO and Silver Dollar City.
KC, nice camp lake N of town, Smithville Lake, 30 minute drive. Arthur Bryant's BBQ.
Lake Arcadia Edmond OK camping. 20 minutes to OKC
Lake Texhoma or Lake Murray (S of Ardmore).
Wichita Mtns in Lawton Okla. Campsite + Buffalo. Meers store burgers.
DFW, too much to list, several lakes and campgrounds.
All of this is on the way (more or less)