Weigh the benefits of the two possible routes you can take to reach Alabama. Follow I-55 south to I-10 eastbound to hug the Mississippi before making a straight shot to Alabama's Gulf Coast beaches. On the other hand, you can take I-64 through St. Louis, hitting first I-57 and then I-24 before heading south through Alabama's mountainous northern region.
Decide which part of Alabama you want to see first. Stretching from the Appalachian foothills in the north and east to the emerald Gulf of Mexico in the south near Mobile, Alabama offers varied pleasures--and that's just geographically. Cities like Huntsville and Montgomery in the north and rich with aeronautic and civil rights history, respectively, while coastal Mobile offer casinos and nightlife.
Plan your stops and book accommodations for them. If you decide to take the Mississippi/Gulf Coast route, you might want to spend a night or two in cities like Memphis and New Orleans, both of which are located along I-55. If, on the other hand, you head down through the rolling hills of the mid-South region, you might decide to stop in along I-24 in Paducah, Kentucky or at the Jack Daniels distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee.
Decide on an itinerary within Alabama. You can either make it a beach vacation or just stick to the cities and hills of the north. Alternatively, you might enter Alabama from the north and travel down to Mobile, prior to taking Interstates 10 and 55 back up to Missouri. Book pertinent accommodations.
Inspect your vehicle to be sure there are no problems with tires, engine or transmission, or have it serviced. Much of the distance between Missouri and Alabama, no matter which routing you choose, is rural--and you don't wait to have to pay or wait for a tow truck to arrive when you've got a vacation to begin. Taking care of potential problems before you hit the road can save you a lot of
