Driving through St. Louis ??

[GH85Carrera]

I will be on my way through St. Louis once again. Every trip in the past has been hair raising and on two different trips an 18 wheeler has run me off the road trying to figure out the interchanges.

I am going up I-44 on through to I-64 on to French Lick, IN. My GPS has me going right through the middle of town and that is the part I hate.

My question is would it be better to take I-255 south around the city? It connects up to I-64 and would avoid the fudge cluster downtown.

What say the locals or the folks in the know?

[Seahawk]

I am not local but have driven in the area a lot. I was stationed in Millington, TN and had friends in St Louis, Kansas City and Evansville.

I would take route 60 east out of Springfield. All divided highway, or mostly.

You can then head up Interstate 57 to 64.

[porsche4life]

Good Luck Glen. I've never found a good way around it either. Imagine pulling a trailer through that mess!

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I am not local but have driven in the area a lot. I was stationed in Millington, TN and had friends in St Louis, Kansas City and Evansville.

I would take route 60 east out of Springfield. All divided highway, or mostly.

You can then head up Interstate 57 to 64.

I would use this route, too.

[GH85Carrera]

I have looked at that and may well do it that way. It is 55 miles further that way however.

On the way up to Travers City, MI a couple of years ago we went the north loop and avoided it. My GPS does do live traffic and will re-route us if it is a big slowdown.

[t-tom]

Yes Go around. They are doing a ton of road construction downtown STL right now. I leave for Destin FL here in a couple hours. The Short way from Kansas City is Via I-70 and STL. We are going South via Arkansas Just so I don't have to fight the Mess on I-70

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I have looked at that and may well do it that way. It is 55 miles further that way however.

On the way up to Travers City, MI a couple of years ago we went the north loop and avoided it. My GPS does do live traffic and will re-route us if it is a big slowdown.

When I bought my wife's 2003 4Runner from OneWhipped (225K and running like a top), I drove 60 through Missouri on the way back to Maryland. Nothing special about the route but it beat the interstate...some views.

I did the RT62 thing to Paducah and the road were awful and confusing over the bridges headed east. Avoid if you were thinking about a different route home.

[pete3799]

Never done RT 60 but I used to get routed with oversize/ overweight loads on 270 & 255. A lot less traffic on the bypasses. Of course a lot depends on what time of day you get there.

[Ayles]

[GH85Carrera]

The biggest improvement I wish they would put on Garman GPS is a "KEEP ME OUT OF THE GHETTO" button. My first trip through I saw a sign next to an off ramp that looked like a good place to stop an get gas and pee. It was NOT. There were two cops in the parking lot and a big sign that said no bathrooms. It was an area where I was REAL glad was full daylight.

My bladder was hurting when I finally got out of the city and saw a place I could trust.

[strupgolf]

If you are going through the town, west to east, stay on 270 around and north of the city.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by strupgolf

If you are going through the town, west to east, stay on 270 around and north of the city.

Go North not south? Any reason? That looks like a lot longer way to go. I am heading to French Lick.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

The biggest improvement I wish they would put on Garman GPS is a "KEEP ME OUT OF THE GHETTO" button. My first trip through I saw a sign next to an off ramp that looked like a good place to stop an get gas and pee. It was NOT. There were two cops in the parking lot and a big sign that said no bathrooms. It was an area where I was REAL glad was full daylight.

My bladder was hurting when I finally got out of the city and saw a place I could trust.

LOL, I've had the exact same thought. On the way to Pensacola we stopped in Balzoni, MS for gas and food. I've never felt so unwelcome anywhere in my life, even my 11 year old picked up on it. "Dad, I'm not that hungry, let's drive for a little while longer."

Last year I met a Rennlist member in STL and traded my Cayenne GTS for a 997S. I did some research trying to figure out a safe place to meet in STL and stay the night. Turns out the answer is, somewhere not in STL.

[rick-l]

Is I-44 to I-270 south, across the Jefferson Barricks bridge into IL, to I-255 and back to I-64 really 50 miles?

[rick-l]

There does seem to be a few road repairs and emergency bridge repairs in the city.
Maybe someone else will chime in. I live in west St Louis county and rarely go that way.

MoDOT Traveler Information Map

[dave 911]

We just did that drive last week (Cinci to Springfield and back), and yes, the I-70 bridge over the Mississippi sucks - westbound is always gridlock/backed up, eastbound seems to be ok everytime we do it.

Not sure if you are planning to take I70 east out of STL, but there is a TON of construction pretty much the whole way from STL to Indy - lots of one lane w/ repaving and bridge repairs. We took I64E home to avoid it (but got stuck on I71N due to an overturned tractor trailer - gotta love travelling the interstates)

Good luck!

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by rick-l

Is I-44 to I-270 south, across the Jefferson Barricks bridge into IL, to I-255 and back to I-64 really 50 miles?

No. The extra 50 miles is getting off of I-44 at Springfield, MO and going on highway 60 over to I-57. It avoids St. Louis but adds 50 miles.

Right now my plan is to avoid the downtown route and take the southern loop of I-270 to I-255 then continue on I-64 east. I looked at highway 50 going east but it is just a highway and it goes through a lot of towns with traffic lights. Unless a local or someone that really know that road I will stick to the boring interstates.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Glen, it would be a longer route, but have you considered staying south through Springfield and driving through the Ozark Mountains? It is simply beautiful and the roads are fantastic and lightly traveled.

[shipfaced]

Leaving from Springfield tomorrow morning 44 to 255 to 64...no question, just did it last month. Only a couple of miles longer and WELL worth it. There is a little construction on 255 but shouldn't be a problem on a Saturday. Fly safe...

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Glen, it would be a longer route, but have you considered staying south through Springfield and driving through the Ozark Mountains? It is simply beautiful and the roads are fantastic and lightly traveled.

We will be on some pretty drives next week and we are on a mission to get 735 miles in one day. I did 900 miles the first day last year. This year my wife is riding with me. That slows travel down with more stops and only at "nice" places and a LONG lunch. On my road trips I stop only when I have to and "lunch" is done in 5 minutes.

Originally Posted by shipfaced

Leaving from Springfield tomorrow morning 44 to 255 to 64...no question, just did it last month. Only a couple of miles longer and WELL worth it. There is a little construction on 255 but shouldn't be a problem on a Saturday. Fly safe...

Thanks. That is what I was hoping to see. Someone who lives in the area and knows the roads and the best way to go.