Interstate Business Route 44

Interstate 44 has ten active business loops, all of which are in Missouri. The stretch of Old U.S. 66 between Oklahoma City and Joplin appears to be the most business loop-free portion left of the Mother Road. The entire route along Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri State Route 66 between these two cities is still intact.

	Location Status Description OKLAHOMA Lawton Not a Business Loop This potential Interstate business route is actually signed as Business U.S. 277-281 via Fort Sill Boulevard and 2nd Street). There are no plans to make this into Business Loop I-44. MISSOURI Joplin Active This business route starts at Exit 6 and heads north via Main Street and Missouri 43. At 7th Street, the business route turns east via Missouri 66, which is old U.S. 66. The business route ends at Exit 15. See the photo below the table! Sarcoxie Active This is old U.S. 166 between Exits 26 and 29. Mount Vernon Active This is old U.S. 166 between Exits 43 and 46. Springfield Active This business route leaves Interstate 44 at Exit 72. It follows Chestnut Expressway east to Glenstone Avenue, then turns north on Glenstone to rejoin Interstate 44 at Exit 80. Glenstone Avenue is old U.S. 65, but the Chestnut Expressway is not old U.S. 66. U.S. 66 used to follow College Street through Springfield. Lebanon Active This business route follows Historic U.S. 66 between Exits 127 and 130. Waynesville/Saint Robert Active This business route follows Historic U.S. 66 between Exits 156 and 161. A rarity in the business connection universe, Business Loop I-44 and Business Spur I-44 actually intersect in Saint Robert, and I believe they merge together to rejoin Interstate 44 at Exit 161. There is a sign picture at Mark Roberts' Missouri Highways Page that shows a confusing shield assembly with both Business Loop and Business Spur I-44. (For more, see notes for the business spur.) Saint Robert/Ft. Leonard Wood Active This business spur at Exit 161 leads south into the town of St. Robert and the military installation at Fort Leonard Wood. Mark Roberts writes, "Many Interstate highways have designated business loops, often a commercial strip that parallels the Interstate highway. At Fort Leonard Wood, there's also a business spur, which is the main route into the fort itself. Business Loop I-44 and Business Spur I-44 intersect parallel to Interstate 44 at St. Robert. This is the only Interstate business spur that I am aware of in Missouri." (For more, see notes for the business loop.) Rolla Active This business route is Historic U.S. 66 between Exits 184 and 186. Sullivan Active This business route again follows Historic U.S. 66. Pacific/Eureka Active Business Loop I-44 is Historic U.S. 66 between Exits 257 and 261. It stays south of Interstate 44, ending close to the Six Flags Over Mid-America amusement park located north of its eastern terminus. Business Loop I-44 in Pacific-Eureka was extended to Gray Summit via South Outer Road on May 30, 2003, as a result of action by AASHTO.

Page Updated September 4, 2006.