Posted on June 27, 2022 by Rick Griffith

Now that you’ve prepped your new car for its first summer road trip let’s kick the Summer off with some fun! But before jumping in, let’s touch on a few simple driving habits you can use to familiarize yourself with your new car while on your first summer road trip.

• Drive within posted speed limits.
• Go easy on your car’s new breaks.
• Don’t accelerate too quickly; it helps improve your gas mileage.
• Avoid long road trips until you’re more familiar with how your new car handles, sounds, and operates.

That said, here are five popular weekend road trip destinations throughout the four-state area of southwest Missouri that are no more than a two-hour drive away from Joplin, Missouri.

1. Grand Lake

If you and your family want to cool off, drive down to Grand Lake. It’s about an hour’s drive southwest of interstate 44 going toward Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Grand River Dam Authority maintains all the public areas around the lake, from public boat ramps, camp facilities, and public restrooms.

The numerous adventures along the shoreline of Grand Lake include fishing, camping, boating, and hiking. You can also check out Grand Lake’s Renaissance Festival, enjoy local community theater, wander through area museums, take in the sights from the Pensacola Dam, and even visit the local Lendonwood Gardens.

2. Lazy Days Resort & Campground

Suppose you’re looking for something closer to home but with the same outdoor experiences. In that case, Lazy Days Resort & Campground offers guests some excellent car camping options or cabins for a family fun-filled weekend experience.

The resort and campground nestle between Noel and Pineville, Missouri. Guests at Lazy Days can partake in numerous activities from fishing, river rafting, float trips, kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boat rentals across the gentle Elk River. Local shopping in historic downtown Noel and cave tours are another local fun and family-friendly activity offered by Bluff Dwellers Cave, just five minutes south of Noel.

3. Silver Dollar City

Another great family-filled weekend adventure option is the Silver Dollar City just northwest of Branson, Missouri, only a two-hour drive from Webb City, Missouri. This unique theme park took shape around the Marvel Cave. No, it’s not part of the DC Marvel Universe’s Bat Cave.

Marvel Cave has a rich history and is genuinely a wonder to see. The Silver Dollar Park offers guests and visitors a great deal of family and friend-filled memories. For example, you can rent one of the park’s cabins or book a tent camping space. They also offer theme park rides, a water park to cool off, and dinner cruises to take in the views of Table Rock Lake.

4. Thorncrown Chapel, A Unique Architectural Design

Suppose you’re looking for a beautiful day trip roughly two hours from Webb City, Missouri, in the four-state region. You can take a drive to Thorncrown Chapel outside Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

This extraordinary building rises 48 feet in the Ozark canopy. Its 425 windows add up to a whopping 6,000 square feet of glass. The architectural history and story are a delight for visitors to experience. 

The chapel welcomes all visitors unless a private event, such as a wedding, is held. But it’s worth your time to behold this phenomenal achievement and appreciate all of the wonders of the Ozark Mountains in such a divine place.

5. Botanical Garden of the Ozarks

Finally, if there is one other place within an hour and a half drive from Joplin, Missouri, it is worth making your way to the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, near Fayetteville, Arkansas. They allow families to learn and join in on garden events.

This remarkable place is open year-round. Admission is $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for children ages 4-12, and free for children under three. You can wander peacefully and enjoy the surrounding beauty in any of the twelve garden designs.

After the Weekend Road Trip

If you notice any unusual mechanical problems after your weekend road trip, you should reach out to a local mechanic. Car Credit recommends visiting one of two local mechanics in Joplin, Danner Auto Repair and Comer’s Auto Xpress.

Call Car Credit today if you’re ready to get started on the road to financial recovery. Their highly-skilled customer service team can talk with you about safe and reliable ways to recover from financial hardship by buying a car from a Buy Here Pay Here dealership.