Missouri Route 20

Route 20 is a highway in west-central Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at U.S. Route 65 Business in Marshall; its western terminus is at Route 13 in Higginsville.

Missouri Route 20 begins at a junction with Route 13 in Higginsville, a city in Lafayette County. As the highway departs Higginsville, it heads eastward through rolling farmland, passing through the unincorporated community of Aullville before reaching a junction with Route 213, which provides access to US 24 near Waverly.^[2]

Continuing east, Route 20 enters the city of Corder, where it intersects Route V and Route BB. The highway then proceeds toward Alma, a small town where it meets Route W. East of Alma, Route 20 crosses into Saline County, passing through the unincorporated community of Grand Pass before reaching a junction with Route 127 near Blackburn. Route 127 runs concurrently with Route 20 for a short distance before splitting off toward Sweet Springs.^[3]

Further east, Route 20 passes through the unincorporated community of Mount Leonard before reaching a junction with |Route EE, which briefly runs alongside Route 20 before diverging southward. The highway continues through rural landscapes, crossing several small creeks and valleys before reaching Marshall, the largest city along its route. Within Marshall, Route 20 intersects US 65 at Lexington Avenue, providing access to destinations north and south. The highway continues eastward through the city, passing through residential and commercial areas before terminating at US 65 Bus. at Odell Avenue.^[4]

Route 20 was one of the original 1922 highways. Its eastern terminus was originally at Huntsville at Route 10 (now U.S. Route 24). Its western terminus was originally in Kansas City at Route 1. In 1926, the section west of Waverly became part of U.S. Route 24 and the section from Waverly to Marshall became part of U.S. Route 65.^[5] In 1933/1934, Route 20 was extended west on its current alignment to Higginsville. This section had been planned as Route 96 (Odessa to Marshall) in 1922, but was soon dropped from the state highway system. In 1934/1935, the section from Glasgow to Huntsville became part of Route 3 when that route was extended. The next year, the section from Marshall to Glasgow became part of Route 240. Route 20 connects the towns of Higginsville, Corder, Alma, Blackburn and Marshall.^[6]