Rolla (Missouri)
Rolla is a city in the Central Missouri region of Missouri on historic Route 66. It is home to Missouri University of Science and Technology (Formerly University of Missouri at Rolla) campus.
Understand
Rolla is a beautiful town located along I-44, with a population of about 20,000.
Get in
By car
Rolla is about 1 hour and 45 minutes to both Springfield to the west and St. Louis to the east along Interstate 44. Columbia, MO is 1 hour and 45 minutes North of Rolla. You can take US 63 from Columbia.
By plane
The closest large commercial airport is Lambert St. Louis International Airport which is served by most US carriers. The airport is about 1 hour and 45 minutes from the city. Greyhound and USA Express have shuttles from the airport to Rolla and back or you can rent a car at the airport.
For private aircraft Rolla National Airport is about a 15 minute drive north of the city.
You can fly into Waynesville - St. Robert Regional Airport from St Louis.
By bus
Rolla is served by Greyhound. The bus station is Burger King at 1022 Kingshighway. You cannot buy bus tickets here.
By train
The nearest train station is the Jefferson City Amtrak Station. From there you can rent a car. You can also take a train to St. Louis Gateway station.
Get around
No public transportation exists in Rolla and a car is almost a necessity to get around. However, bicycling is a viable alternative and the town is small enough walking could be facilitated if necessary. There are a couple of taxi cab companies in town also.
- AAA Taxi, ☏ +1 573-333-7824.
- Quality Cab Taxi Service, ☏ +1 573 426-3737.
You can take an Uber but there is usually only one or two available.
See
- Tourism Office, 1311 Kingshighway, ☏ +1 573 364-3577, toll-free: +1-888-809-3817, fax: +1 573 364-5222, rollavc@rollachamber.org. M-F 8AM-4:30PM, Sa 9AM-2PM, Su (Mar-Sep) 1PM-4PM, Su (Oct-Feb) closed..
- Ozark Actors Theatre, 701 N Cedar St, ☏ +1 573-364-9523. Provides professional summer stock theater and winter productions.
- Leach Theater, ☏ +1 573-341-4219. Castleman Hall at Missouri University of Science and Technology. Many varied events and performances at this University theater.
- Stubby Stonehenge. See this half-size "replica" of Stonehenge on the campus of Missouri University of Science and Technology (Formerly University of Missouri-Rolla). But, don't expect to use it as they've built buildings all around it so the horizon is no longer visible at solstice. Ooops. Free.
Do
- Parks. Have pools, tennis courts, lakes, a recreation center, and activities.
Buy
- Mule Trading Post, US Route 66 (I-44 exit 189), ☏ +1 573 364-4711. Antiques and Route 66 souvenirs.
Eat
- Alex Pizza Place, 122 W 8th, ☏ +1 573-364-2669. Incredible Local Pizza.
- El Maguey, 1328 Forum Dr (Forum Plaza), ☏ +1 573-368-5338. Tex-Mex platters and fajitas and margaritas.
- Los Cazadores, 121 Howard Johnson Dr (Behind Motomart on Kingshighway), ☏ +1 573 341-8137. Offerings include fajitas and margaritas.
- Mandarin Garden, 635 S Bishop Ave, ☏ +1 573-364-9610. They've got the cashew chicken and a small buffet.
- Maid Rite, 1028 Kingshighway, ☏ +1 573 364-1434. Incredible crumble burgers.
- Take a Hike Burgers and BBQ, 704 N Pine St, ☏ +1 573-426-4837. 1/2 pound burgers and bacon and stuff like that.
- NaCl + H2O, 817 N Pine St, ☏ +1 573-426-6699. Surf and turf, but especially seafood.
- Mottomo Sushi, 1011 Kingshighway, ☏ +1 573-341-1200. Japanese with bento boxes and bulgogi.
- A Slice of Pie, 634 S Bishop Ave, ☏ +1 573 364-6203. Some of the best pie you can get in the country.
Drink
- Joe and Linda's Tater Patch, 103 Bridge School Rd, ☏ +1 573-368-3111.
- Giddy Goat Coffee House, 704 N Bishop Ave #2, ☏ +1 573-368-4141. Eclectic atmosphere with art and decor and steamed milk in your coffee.
Sleep
- Best Western Coachlight Inn, 1403 Martin Springs Dr, ☏ +1 573-341-2511. 88 units.
- Budget Deluxe Inn, 1908 N Bishop Av, ☏ +1 573-364-4488. 22 units.
- Comfort Suites, 1650 Old Wire Outer Rd, ☏ +1 573-368-4300.
- Drury Inn, 2006 N. Bishop Av, ☏ +1 573-364-4000, toll-free: +1-800-325-8300. 86 units.
- Econo Lodge, 1417 Martin Springs Dr, ☏ +1 573-341-3130, toll-free: +1-800-553-2666. 60 units.
- Hampton Inn, 2201 N. Bishop Av, ☏ +1 573-308-1060, rolla_hampton@hilton.com.
- Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 1610 Old Wire Outer Rd, ☏ +1 573-426-2900, info@hierolla.com.
- Rustic Motel, 812 S. Bishop Av, ☏ +1 573-364-6943, rustic@fidnet.com.
- Super 8, 1641 Martin Springs Drive (I-44, Exit 184), ☏ +1 573-458-5837. Check-in: 3:00, check-out: 11:00. Complimentary breakfast, free wireless internet access, indoor pool, fitness center. $59 - $79.
Go next
| Routes through Rolla |
| Springfield ← St. Robert ← | W E | → St. James → St. Louis |
| Jefferson City ← Vienna ← | N S | → Licking → Jonesboro |
| Springfield ← St. Robert ← | W E | → St. James → St. Louis |