Driving through St. Louis advice needed

[GH85Carrera]

The last time I drove through St. Louis I made a pit stop in the WRONG part of town. I got out of there post haste haste. My question what exit should I look for to get the good part of town. As I remember I stopped in south St. Louis and it was a very short stop. I will be on I-44 changing to I-55 heading to St Charles Illinois. Is it better to just stay on I-44 until it meets up with I-55 or should I take the north or south bypass to avoid the center of town?

If all goes to plan I will be going through around 3:00 to 4:00 PM on Friday the 2nd. What route will be the best to avoid the worst rush hour traffic?

[LakeCleElum]

I zipped thru St. Louis at rush hr. twice on my m/c going to Louisville last summer. I'd recommend I-44, 270, east on I-255 to I-55.....Worked well for me......Parts of St. Louis are very scary for sure....G'luck

[Rot 911]

Come in on I-44, then take I-270 (East?) to I-255 North to I-55. In St. Louis rush hour starts around 3, but most of it will be heading out of town going west while you are going in. That way you pretty much miss downtown St. Louis and sweep south of East St. Louis.

[gr8fl4porsche]

Stay on 44 - it becomes 55 by the brewery. 270 around town would be a big mistake.

You will hit some traffic crossing the bridge over the mighty Miss, but not much other than that.

Stop in the suburbs for a less harrowing experience. Try Lindberg at 44 - first exit after hwy 270. Plenty of places to fuel up and eat.

[gr8fl4porsche]

255 around town is an option like Kurt noted but will add miles to your route.

[fuelie600]

What about coming in from the west on I-70 and staying near the arch? We will be stopping in StL on the way back from a Yellowstone trip. My boys want to go up in the arch. I assume the arch area is safe? It looks like nice hotels and restaurants in the area. We booked a hotel directly across the street from the arch. We will exit town on I-70 east the next morning.
Thanks!

[legion]

I stop near Six Flags to avoid the St. Louis traffic, and power through the city proper.

I'm pretty much always in Bloomington, so if you feel like making landfall here, I'll be around.

[GH85Carrera]

It is interesting that Google Maps suggests I take I-44 to I-270 then up to I-255. That is just a few miles further than going right through downtown and staying on I-44 until it gets I-55. Is the traffic on the southern route worse? Should I avoid that route for some reason?

[gr8fl4porsche]

44 through the city moves fairly well. I would guess that you will hit heavy traffic in between 44 and 255 until you reach the JB Bridge.

I live near 44 and have found that even in rush hour (like on the way to a Cardinal game) 44 moves well until you reach the exit to cross into Illinois.

[Talewinds]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

It is interesting that Google Maps suggests I take I-44 to I-270 then up to I-255. That is just a few miles further than going right through downtown and staying on I-44 until it gets I-55. Is the traffic on the southern route worse? Should I avoid that route for some reason?

Google maps is correct. It's taking you on the urban bypass which is DEFINITELY what you want to do at that time of day on a Friday in July, the traffic isn't really too terrible, but why mess w/ it, besides, if there's an accident the whole 44/55 thing will be fuched.

I live on the Illinois side of St. Louis and will be heading to St. Charles IL also for the weekend.........

I've got to head out for a bit. PM me if you like and we can coordinate.

[rick-l]

If you read this on your cell phone

Look out for the speed trap in Creve Coeur north on 270 and the guy on the bridge with a laser gun at Mckelvey road in Maryland Heights.