Location Details
The historic Devils Elbow Bridge is located along an original section of Route 66 in the unincorporated community of Devils Elbow, Pulaski County, Missouri. It spans the Big Piney River and stands out as the only curved steel truss bridge still operating on Missouri's Route 66.
Exact Location & Address
Physical Address: 21092-21030 Teardrop Road, Devils Elbow, MO 65457.
Coordinates: 37° 50.67′ N, 92° 4.097′ W.
General Vicinity: Situated roughly 5 miles east of St. Robert, just east of Fort Leonard Wood, and nestled deep within the Ozark Mountains region.
Driving Directions
From Interstate 44 (I-44): Take the highway toward Pulaski County. Exit onto Highway Z (a later Route 66 realignment).
Accessing the Bridge: Turn east onto Teardrop Road (the original 1926 Route 66 alignment). Drive about half a mile down Teardrop Road to hit the bridge structure.
Surrounding Landmarks & Features
Natural Scenery: The bridge offers views of the towering limestone Hiawatha Bluffs (locally called the "sugar bowls") and the winding Big Piney River.
Historical Markers: A Route 66 shield is stenciled directly on the pavement, and a dedicated historical marker roadside pullout is situated half a mile west of the bridge.
Local Structures: The bridge sits right by the remnants of the historic Devils Elbow Cafe and the properties of the Elbow Inn.
