Driving Through St. Louis - Tips & Conditions
Every city's roads and driving culture is unique. The sunny, dizzying freeways of LA will provide vastly different conditions than a snowy maze of side streets in Minneapolis. St. Louis is no different. Whether you're a newcomer to the region, inexperienced with stepping behind the wheel, or just wanting to know your city a little bit better, below are helpful tips for driving through St. Louis (or avoiding the city entirely).
1) St. Louis boasts the seventh-largest highway system in the country. This means you can get from point A to point B fairly quickly with less congestion than you would experience in other cities.
2) Good news: our commitment times and rush hour are amongst the best. As noted by Metro Magazine, we nearly top the list for best commute times in the country! While you may still want to avoid driving at peak times (as is true for any city), St. Louis rush hour driving conditions won't be nearly as bad as what outsiders regularly experience.
3) The best times to drive to avoid St. Louis commuter traffic are 7:00 - 9:00 AM and 4:00 - 6:00 PM, as is true of most cities. What's more, because many of the drivers live outside of St. Louis, the congestion extends to outside the city and is primarily concentrated on the highways rather than within city streets. Our advice? Explore various routes that combine highways with side roads to determine the quickest route to-and-from work.
4) Some outsiders complain that St. Louis drivers follow their gut rather than traffic laws. While some publications praise our drivers as being amongst the most "courteous," others dug into the numbers to paint a different story. Compared to other states, Missouri gets a whole lot of speeding tickets. Our teens text while driving. In general, we ignore driving laws. And, coincident or not, our state's motorist fatality rate is above average. Millions of motorists safely drive through the St. Louis region each day. Chances are, if you start your engine and explore our great city, you'll have zero problems. But it's important that you practice safe, focused driving in preparation for those who may not do the same. If you're a teenager or just looking to brush up on defensive driving skills, consider enrolling in a St. Louis driving school to better prepare for the road.
5) Be vigilantly prepared for the frenzy of Interstate 270. As the area's major freeway, it serves the important role of connecting different parts of the region, which inevitably leads to eight lanes of traffic. Don't even think about texting while driving on this busy highway! A related tip? Both Illinois and Missouri share this highway but refer to it differently. Don't be surprised to hear Illinois neighbors call it "the 64" while Missourians call it "the 40."
6) It's possible to avoid driving through St. Louis entirely using Interstate 270. For one reason or another, not everyone feels comfortable driving through St. Louis. While your price alternative route will greatly depend on your start and finish, a common option includes the above-mentioned Interstate 270 which skirts its border without spending extended time within St. Louis itself.
7) It's easy(ish) and cheap to park in Downtown St. Louis compared to other cities. An inevitable part of driving is parking. Luckily, finding a spot won't cost your hours of your life or an arm and leg. There is an abundance of on-street spots and off-street lots from which you can choose. As a bonus, metered spots are free on Sundays and official holidays.
8) St. Louis roads are not immune to winter storm conditions, so prepare accordingly. This means making sure your tires have suitable treading, getting older cars inspected, and having an emergency cold-weather kit in case you're stranded. Most winter days, you won't have to use such equipment to safely drive through St. Louis. But better safe than sorry! Additionally, just because one stretch of St. Louis streets is cleanly plowed doesn't mean you should expect the same driving conditions a few miles away. Snow removal is up to the individual municipalities, and they often work with different contractors who deliver differing results. The good news is that most places in St. Louis county won't require snow chains. In fact, there are actually laws against using them on many roads because of the damage they can potentially cause. However, if you're driving to more rural or unplowed areas during a particularly harsh bout of winter, they may be worth looking into.
9) Many St. Louis region towns have an Illinois twin across the river. Make sure to clarify when asking for directions or entering locations into the GPS. What do we mean? Both states have their own St. Charles, O'Fallon, Troy, Maryville, Springfield, and Columbia.
10) You can anticipate construction projects before driving through St. Louis County by visiting this page on the Missouri Department of Transportation site. This way, you'll know if you should leave for your destination early in anticipation of slow-downs or find alternative routes.
11) Expect some bumps in your ride. We mean this literally. As far as St. Louis road conditions go, some other cities are better and some are worse. In 2018, a study found that more than a fifth of our roads were in "poor" condition. The occasional pothole shouldn't be enough to deter you from driving through St. Louis entirely but think twice if your tires aren't in good condition.
12) Looking for the safest route through St. Louis to your next destination? Why not stop and see what makes this city so great. Greater St. Louis is home to 2.8 million people representing diverse cultures. Sample different cuisines, ranging from Mediterranean to Ethiopian to Taiwanese to Southern Italian. Explore the many hidden gems found in Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country. Behold our outdoor art or check out the area's many museums. St. Louis has activities for everyone, so why not make a weekend of it rather than driving straight through?
13) Make sure your ride is safe, regardless of where your adventures take you. Whether you're driving through St. Louis or Seattle, the right vehicle can make all the difference. Make sure that your chosen vehicle received respectable crash safety ratings. Plus, consider purchasing a vehicle equipped with the latest safety technology, including evasive steering assist, lane-keeping systems, and forward-collision warnings. The Bo Beuckman team, one of the best dealerships in St. Louis, can help you find the perfect ride for driving through St. Louis or keep your car in tip-top condition.
1) St. Louis boasts the seventh-largest highway system in the country. This means you can get from point A to point B fairly quickly with less congestion than you would experience in other cities.
