I need to travel from Kansas to Kentucky (and back). I’ve done this a few times before, and I-70 has always been the route through Missouri. However, it strikes me that there must surely be a better way to cross the river at St. Louis at the congestion and construction which is omnipresent at what Google Maps identifies as the “Poplar Street Bridge”. Ok, maybe there isn’t a better way, but it is at least worth looking in to.
On my most recent trip, I turned off of I-70 and veered south a bit onto the I-64 loop, but that still ended up crossing at the Poplar Street Bridge complex (though it was better than staying on I-70 )
Is there a better way to cross the river near St. Louis if I want to press onward toward Kentucky on I-64 ? Maybe even loop all the way south to the I-270 and I-255 connection then back up to I 64?
You could try 270 N/E -> 255 S -> 64. I go over that bridge on my way between MO and IL a few times a year. I don’t think I’ve run into congestion there in the past 15 years.
Depends on time of day. Crossing the PSB is certainly the most direct route, but if it’s rush hour or there’s an event downtown (like a game), it can be a nightmare. It is easier to get across if you’re already on 64 (or, as the locals call it, “40”).
At rush hour, taking 270-S around to 255 probably isn’t going to help you all that much. Traffic may be marginally lighter, but it’s a lot longer. Consider taking 270 the other way: north of the city and then taking 255 south once you’re in Illinois.
Actually, they’re scheduled to work on both the I-70 and I-64 bridges across the Missouri, so you’ll have problems whichever route you choose.
About 9 times out of 10, I’d recommend sticking with I-70 or I-64, with the edge to I-64. But if there’s trouble on the Poplar or immediately to the east of it, I’d take the southern route (I-270 south to I-255, across the river, then back north to I-64) over the northern route.
Thanks all. I guess I’ll stick with the I-64 route (the one that jogs southward at Wentzville). I tried that one (I-64) instead of sticking only to I-70 last month when I came through and it seemed to move better than staying on I-70. Just a bit dismayed that everything seems to pass over on the Poplar Street Bridge.
Heading that way tomorrow, so I’ll find out soon enough I guess.
I was all set to be helpful, until I realized that despite living less than 12 miles fom the river (on the IL side, so I have to cross it on the regular), I never remember the names of the bridges. I just take 64, unless I’m going to Soulard or Lafayette Square, in which case I get lost.
Well, made the journey across and back.
I -tried- to take the northern route on the way out, but being totally unfamiliar with the route, I made it to 370-270, saw the sign that said turn here for I-64…did so and ended up right downtown, at rush hour. I had turned to make the connector too soon!! :smack::mad:
That was unpleasant.
On the way back, did successfully take the northern route. That worked well, especially with the warning here that there was construction on I-70 and I-64. And the highway signs that confirmed the construction and delays.
So, thanks again to all. And for me anyway, I’ll be taking the northern route from here on in.
Though I’m pretty sure I’ll not stop at the gas station at the State Highway “J” exit in Wright City ever again. :eek:
My 12 year old daughter and I will be travelling to the Manchester area (just north of I-44) of St Louis on April 12 from Kentucky (1-64). We need to be at a meeting at 9:30 am.
What is the best route through the city at that time of day? According to google maps its only 9 min longer to use the 255 south bypass so that is the way I am planning, but we’ve only been to this area once and I was not driving.
Any advice? My husband wants us there on time, but is also concerned that we use a safe route through the city since he is unable to be with us on this trip.
That’s a bad time of day to be crossing the river at any point, but I’d take the southern (I-255) route, rather than the Poplar Street Bridge. It’s not really a safety concern, but the PBS is not nice at morning rush hour.
You drove right by where I work. Just off of intersection 19 on I-64 near Scott AFB.
I was going to suggest taking I-270 north to I-255 south to I-64. However it might depend on which part of Kentucky. I have family just south of Cincinnati and often take I-70 to Indianapolis then I-74 south.
Sometime in 2014 the new bridge over the Mississippi River should be complete and really help relieve the congestion in St. Louis.
I’d go with the I-255 south route as well, but with the warning that at that time of morning you’re going to face a fair amount of traffic for a few miles, so allow some extra time. It’s still better than going through downtown, though.
Every time I see this thread title, I think of “The Oregon Trail”. Without further information, I’m not sure whether you should ford the river, float across, or hire an Indian guide.
