📷 Photo by Kawshar Ahmed on UnsplashMissouri River wine country
German-heritage Hermann and riverside wineries west of St. Louis.
- Distance
- 238 km (148 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 39 min
- Suggested days
- 2
- Stops
- 4
- States
- MO
- Updated
- April 26, 2026
At a glance: 2-day road trip of about 238 km (148 mi) with 4 stops, from St. Louis to Rolla. About 2 h 39 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Missouri · More road trips from St. Louis
Route description
From St. Louis, head west on I-64 and then follow MO-94 along the Missouri River. Augusta was named the first American Viticultural Area in 1980, and wineries sit on the hills above the river valley. The Katy Trail, a rail trail for cycling, runs alongside the road.
MO-94 winds west along the river bluffs to Hermann, a town founded by German immigrants, with brick houses, wineries and a strong German heritage. The town holds festivals in spring and October, when it gets very busy. The Amtrak train between St. Louis and Kansas City stops here, which is useful for wine tasting without driving.
From Hermann, MO-19 heads south through the Ozark hills to Rolla on historic Route 66, home of the Missouri University of Science and Technology. MO-94 is narrow and hilly with few shoulders, so drive carefully in a large vehicle. October weekends are busy, and campgrounds along the Katy Trail and river should be booked ahead.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
St. Louis
MO - 272 km
Augusta
MO - 360 km
Hermann
MO - 4106 km
Rolla
MO
Suggested stages and overnight stops
2 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: St. Louis → Hermann · 82 mi · 1 h 28 minOn the way: Augusta.Overnight nearby, for example: Hermann Campground - gravel lot section (< 1 km); Hermann City Park Campground (< 1 km).
- Day 2: Hermann → Rolla · 66 mi · 1 h 11 minOvernight nearby, for example: Ozark Farms Family Campground/RV Park (3 mi); Boiling Spring Campground (15 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Hot in July. Cold, short days in January–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Missouri River wine country?
2-day road trip of about 238 km (148 mi) with 4 stops, from St. Louis to Rolla. About 2 h 39 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Missouri River wine country?
We suggest 2 days: about 2 h 39 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Missouri River wine country start and end?
It starts in St. Louis and ends in Rolla.
Which states does Missouri River wine country pass through?
Missouri.
Where can you camp along Missouri River wine country?
OpenStreetMap lists 44 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Hickory Ridge Campground, KOA Campgrounds and Hermann Campground - gravel lot section.
When is the best time for Missouri River wine country?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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