MoDOT helps pave the way for nearly every mode of transportation in the state — and that includes biking traffic. Missouri is home to roughly 600 miles of shared‑use paths on the state system, plus hundreds more miles of bicycle‑friendly trails maintained by Missouri State Parks and partner organizations across the state.
One of the biggest national collaborators is Adventure Cycling Association (ACA), a nonprofit that has spent 50 years mapping more than 50,000 miles of scenic and historically rich bicycle routes across the United States.
This year, ACA is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the launch of its newest cross‑country route: the Golden Gravel Trail. Spanning 3,804 miles, this mostly unpaved route redefines what long‑distance, off‑road bikepacking can look like in America. The trail’s eastern end begins in Cape Girardeau, right on the banks of the Mississippi River, before winding through the forested hills of the Ozark Plateau. From there, it continues west and north through Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and eventually Oregon — finishing at the edge of the Pacific Ocean.
About 70% of the Golden Gravel Trail is unpaved, with the remaining miles following low‑traffic scenic roads. Its design focuses on minimizing vehicle traffic, maximizing gravel roads and ensuring riders have access to water, resupply points, bike infrastructure and small towns worth exploring.
"For five decades, Adventure Cycling has been inspiring people to travel by bicycle, and the Golden Gravel Trail honors our legacy while embracing the next 50 years of bicycle touring and the growing bikepacking community," said ACA Routes Director Jeffrey Mizell. “We’re excited to help Missourians safely explore their beautiful state in new ways.”
Katy Trail at Auxvasse Creek Bridge
Photo courtesy of MO State Parks
For Missouri, the new route helps spotlight the state’s already well‑known trail system.
The Katy Trail, stretching nearly 250 miles, is the nation’s longest rails‑to‑trail conversion, and conveniently runs parallel to several bike‑friendly Amtrak stops.
The Rock Island Trail currently offers more than 40 miles of biking, hiking and equestrian paths between Pleasant Hill and Windsor, where it connects with the Katy Trail. Future expansion plans will link both sides of the Rock Island into the Katy Trail, forming a 450‑mile loop across the state.
The Ozark Trail offers eight major hiking and biking sections totaling 230 miles, with many additional standalone trails.
Beyond trail development and mapping, Adventure Cycling plays a key role in helping state DOTs build safer bicycle and pedestrian networks. The organization maintains the National Corridor Plan, which catalogs every designated U.S. Bicycle Route (USBR). When a state pursues a new USBR designation, ACA coordinates the route application process between DOTs, local agencies and neighboring states.
The U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS) is a national network of state and federally designated bike routes chosen for lower traffic volumes, rideable shoulders and access to parks, services and points of interest. Missouri currently has four nationally designated routes, approved through MoDOT and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Among them is USBR 66 (Bicycle Route 66), a 2,500‑mile trail from Chicago to Santa Monica that parallels historic Route 66 and I‑44 through Missouri.
USBRS designation plays a major role in cyclist safety. Just as drivers rely on numbered, well‑marked highways, cyclists benefit from clear signage and consistent route branding. These signs help riders navigate even without GPS and alert motorists to the presence of cyclists on shared‑use routes, aligning with MoDOT’s vision for a safe and reliable transportation system – including for travelers on two wheels.