Would That Really Be the Shortest Route to Kentucky?

Toll ferry sign from Interstate 55 in Missouri, 26 miles away from the ferry itself
Photo courtesy of H. B. Elkins (taken June 2001)

This sign on northbound Interstate 55 probably does point to the shortest route to Kentucky, using Missouri 80 to go through East Prairie, and then taking Missouri 102 to reach Dorena. A ferry that was closer to East Prairie, at Columbus, Kentucky, ceased operations in 1981.

There is no direct route between Kentucky and Missouri except by using a ferry between Dorena and Hickman, Kentucky. From this point, the Dorena ferry is about 25 miles away.