Just drove it a few weeks ago, actually. Now that most of the contsruction on I-44 (outside of St. Louis, at least) is winding down, it's actually a pretty smooth ride.

Yeah, I've done day MR's/seg-runs for $60-80 roudtrip to Detroit, Oaklahoma, Ohio, etc., all with multiple segments. Perhaps if Branson tourism continues to grow, demand for increased air traffic will as well.

Even 'tho STL-MCI is also drive-able, and often drive-able in less time than a flight (add in getting to airport, parking, TSA line, gate, getting from airport, blah blah blah), I'd snag it if it meant deliverance from I-70.