Self-drive road trip · USA
From Springfield through Lake of the Ozarks, Branson and Eureka Springs
Per person, estimatedUS$311
Experience two states and some of the finest scenery in the Ozark Mountains on this circular road trip from Springfield, Missouri.
Begin with a night in Springfield before driving north to Lake of the Ozarks. Spend two nights beside the water, giving you time to enjoy a cruise, visit Ha Ha Tonka State Park or explore one of the region’s remarkable caves.
Continue south through the Missouri countryside to Branson. Discover scenic Table Rock Lake, explore the surrounding hills and choose from the city’s famous live shows and family attractions.
Your final destination is Eureka Springs in northern Arkansas. Winding mountain roads lead to a wonderfully preserved Victorian town surrounded by forests, lakes and natural springs.
The suggested package includes seven nights, but your vacation is completely flexible. Add or remove nights, choose your preferred hotels and select the rental-car category that best suits your journey.
You decide how long you stay!
One circular road trip, four very different stops
Add or remove nights to suit your schedule
Stay lakeside, in the Ozark hills and in a Victorian town
Castle ruins, cave tours and forested state parks along the way
Optional lake cruises and watersports at Lake of the Ozarks
Branson's live shows right on your doorstep
Eureka Springs feels like nowhere else in the region
Every stop has a hotel already chosen for you. Open a stop to swap the hotel, add activities or stay longer. The price updates as you go.
Want more time somewhere? Open any stop and tap Add a night. Every day after it moves back, and your dates and price update automatically.
Stay longer or shorter in WELCOME TO SPRINGFIELD
Your stay in WELCOME TO SPRINGFIELDDays 1–2
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Pick up your car at SPRINGFIELD (SPI), from 10:00. It's yours for all 8 days.
Welcome to Missouri and the beautiful Ozarks!
After arriving at Springfield–Branson National Airport, collect your rental car and drive to your selected Springfield hotel.
Depending on your arrival time, relax at the hotel or begin exploring the city. Springfield is closely associated with historic Route 66 and makes an excellent introduction to southwestern Missouri.
You might visit the lively downtown area, enjoy a traditional barbecue dinner or explore one of the city’s museums and attractions.
Approximate driving distance: 10–15 miles / 15–25 kilometres, depending on your selected hotel.
Overnight in Springfield.
Overnight: Baymont by Wyndham Springfield South Hwy 65
“Guests consistently praise this hotel's welcoming staff, spotless rooms, and convenient highway location with ample parking. Families especially enjoy the comfortable beds, indoor pool, and hot breakfast featuring friendly service that makes everyone feel right at home.”
Included in your trip1 night, 3343 E Battlefield St
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let WELCOME TO SPRINGFIELD surprise you.
Stay longer or shorter in SPRINGFIELD TO LAKE OF THE OZARKS
Your stay in SPRINGFIELD TO LAKE OF THE OZARKSDays 2–4
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Approximate driving distance: 95 miles / 150 kilometres
Approximate driving time: 2 hours without stops
Leave Springfield and travel north through the rolling countryside of central Missouri.
On the way, consider stopping in Lebanon, one of the communities along historic Route 66. Continue through forests, small towns and farmland toward the distinctive winding shoreline of Lake of the Ozarks.
Arrive in the Osage Beach, Lake Ozark or Camdenton area and check in to your selected hotel.
Spend the remainder of the afternoon beside the water. Relax at your hotel, visit a lakeside restaurant or take an optional sunset cruise.
Overnight at Lake of the Ozarks.
Overnight: Baymont by Wyndham Osage Beach, night 1 of 2
Enjoy a complete day exploring one of Missouri’s best-known vacation regions.
Begin at Ha Ha Tonka State Park, where walking trails lead through forests and across dramatic karst landscapes. The park’s most recognisable attraction is the ruin of an early twentieth-century stone mansion overlooking the lake.
You may also visit Bridal Cave, take a guided cave tour or explore Lake of the Ozarks State Park. During the warmer months, optional boat rentals, cruises, fishing trips and watersports may be available.
Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing day at your resort and experience the lake at your own pace.
Driving distances depend on the location of your hotel and selected activities.
Overnight at Lake of the Ozarks.
Overnight: Baymont by Wyndham Osage Beach, night 2 of 2
“Hotel #8961 offers convenient online check-in and checkout, and guests have noted that breakfast is fresh and well-prepared. The hotel provides a quiet atmosphere for rest during your stay.”
Included in your trip2 Nights, 5887 Osage Beach Pkwy
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let SPRINGFIELD TO LAKE OF THE OZARKS surprise you.
Stay longer or shorter in LAKE OF THE OZARKS TO BRANSON
Your stay in LAKE OF THE OZARKS TO BRANSONDays 4–6
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Approximate driving distance: 130 miles / 210 kilometres
Approximate driving time: 2 hours 45 minutes without stops
Leave Lake of the Ozarks and drive south through the heart of Missouri.
The journey passes small communities, wooded hills and farmland before returning to Springfield. You may stop for lunch or visit an attraction you missed on your arrival day.
Continue south to Branson, surrounded by the hills, lakes and forests of the Ozarks.
After checking in to your selected hotel, enjoy the remainder of the day as you choose. Walk along the Branson Landing waterfront, enjoy dinner or reserve seats for one of the city’s popular evening shows.
Overnight in Branson.
Overnight: Red Roof Inn Branson, night 1 of 2
Explore Table Rock Lake, visit the scenic overlooks around Table Rock Dam or add an optional sightseeing cruise. Nearby, you can discover underground formations on a guided cave tour or enjoy one of the area’s nature trails.
Families may choose to spend the day at Silver Dollar City or another Branson attraction. Visitors seeking a more relaxed experience can explore local shops, enjoy their hotel facilities or attend an afternoon performance.
Branson is particularly well known for its live entertainment. Country music, comedy, tribute performances and seasonal shows are available at venues throughout the city.
Attraction admission, show tickets and lake activities are not included unless specifically added during booking.
Overnight in Branson.
Overnight: Red Roof Inn Branson, night 2 of 2
“Experience genuine warmth and exceptional hospitality at this Branson-area hotel, where guests rave about the dedicated staff who treat you like family, spotless rooms with supremely comfortable beds, complimentary 24-hour coffee, and a peaceful pet-friendly atmosphere perfect for a relaxing getaway near the Branson Strip.”
Included in your trip2 Nights, 210 S Wildwood Dr
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let LAKE OF THE OZARKS TO BRANSON surprise you.
Stay longer or shorter in BRANSON TO EUREKA SPRINGS
Your stay in BRANSON TO EUREKA SPRINGSDays 6–8
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Approximate driving distance: 55 miles / 90 kilometres
Approximate driving time: 1 hour 30 minutes without stops
Leave Branson and cross from Missouri into northern Arkansas.
Today’s journey may be relatively short, but the road becomes increasingly scenic as it winds through the forested hills of the Ozarks. Allow additional time, drive carefully and enjoy the changing landscape.
Arrive in Eureka Springs, a distinctive Victorian town built across steep hillsides. Its historic center is filled with preserved buildings, galleries, independent shops and restaurants.
After checking in to your selected hotel, explore the town on foot or take an optional guided tour. The narrow streets, stone stairways and unusual architecture create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the region.
Overnight in Eureka Springs.
Overnight: Tuscan Manor, night 1 of 2
Enjoy a complete day in and around Eureka Springs.
Explore the historic downtown district, visit the town’s natural springs or discover its shops, galleries and cafés. You may also see Thorncrown Chapel, a celebrated glass-and-timber structure surrounded by woodland.
For more time in nature, drive toward Beaver Lake, explore nearby hiking trails or visit one of the scenic overlooks in the surrounding mountains.
Another option is a day trip toward the Buffalo National River region. The river passes through some of Arkansas’s most impressive Ozark scenery, although access roads can be remote and occasionally unpaved. Select one accessible location, carry a park map and allow sufficient travelling time.
Return to Eureka Springs for your final evening in the Ozarks.
Overnight in Eureka Springs.
Overnight: Tuscan Manor, night 2 of 2
“Experience warm Tuscan charm at this Eureka Springs gem, where gracious host Mark's exceptional hospitality, gourmet breakfasts, and beautifully appointed rooms with balconies create an unforgettable retreat. Guests rave about the peaceful ambiance, convenient yet serene location, and Mark's genuine care in making every stay feel special.”
Included in your trip2 Nights, 3185 E Van Buren
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let BRANSON TO EUREKA SPRINGS surprise you.
Return your car at SPRINGFIELD (SPI) by 10:00, then check in for your flight home.
Approximate driving distance: 95 miles / 150 kilometres
Approximate driving time: 2 hours without stops
Enjoy your final morning before leaving Eureka Springs and returning north through the Ozark countryside.
Cross back into Missouri and continue to Springfield–Branson National Airport. Return your rental car and proceed with your onward journey.
Allow additional time for winding roads, traffic, fuel stops and the rental-car return process.
If seven nights are not enough, simply increase the number of nights—it’s your choice.
Departure day · No overnight stay
Operated by Avia Travel & Tours.
Download this tour's PDF brochure and plan offline: every day, your hotels, the car and our phone numbers.
Our travel experts know these roads. Call and we'll tailor the trip with you.
Estimated total, 2 travelersUS$622
How this road trip stacks up against similar self-drive tours, side by side.
| Tour | |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price, per person | ||||
| From | US$311 | US$595 | US$598 | US$543 |
| Per night | US$44 / nightBest | US$85 / night | US$85 / night | US$78 / night |
| The trip | ||||
| Duration | 8 days, 7 nights | 8 days, 7 nights | 8 days, 7 nights | 8 days, 7 nights |
| You're viewing this tour | View tour | View tour | View tour |
"From" prices are per person for 2 travelers sharing, at the cheapest hotels. Driving is estimated from the stop locations.
| Stops | 4 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
|---|
| Places | Springfield, Lake Ozark, Branson, Eureka Springs | Honolulu | Phoenix, Sedona, Grand Canyon South Rim, Las Vegas | Seattle, Port Angeles, Forks, Olympia |
|---|
| Start and finish | Branson, Springfield | Honolulu | Phoenix – Las Vegas | Seattle |
|---|
| On the road |
|---|
| Total driving | About 445 km | Not listed | About 705 km | About 405 km |
|---|
| Longest drive day | About 225 km | Not listed | About 335 km | About 190 kmBest |
|---|
| Car included | Yes | Compact | Compact | Supplier Choice |
|---|
| Stays and extras |
|---|
| Hotels included | 3-star hotels | 4-star hotels | 3 to 4-star hotels | 2 to 4-star hotels |
|---|
| Hotel choice | About 8 hotels per stop | About 25 hotels per stopBest | About 14 hotels per stop | About 6 hotels per stop |
|---|
| Airport transfer | Not included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
|---|
FromUS$598per person
