Getting through downtown St. Louis - driving directions
 

Hi,

I am trying to figure out the best way to get from I-44 coming from Tulsa / Springfield, MO to I-55 north heading towards Springfield, IL via St. Louis.

Looking on the map, the most direct route looks like I-44 to 55/70 near the river and through East St. Louis and then north, but I'm also wondering if it wouldn't make more sense to bypass the city and take 270 or 255 around.

We are probably going to be coming through the area late at night and so I don't want to be driving through any unsafe areas, if there are any.

Thanks! :)

You're not stopping anywhere, so no worries about the area. Only thing is traffic. If you're passing through late at night, just take the shortest route, which is I-44 to I-55 through St. Louis.

Thanks, Rkkwan! I don't know the city at all so I didn't want to be driving through a bad area in the middle of the night. Where I live, there are certain places you just don't drive through after dark. :)

After you cross into IL, you'll be on a very tall overpass. You won't even see the center of East St. Louis. By the first real exit (not highway ramp), you're already at the Gateway International Speedway, and it's safe from there onwards.

I agree with rkkwan. Its faster and easier to just take 44 to 55-70 and head north.

No worries about ESL. Unless you get off at an exit you will be fine. And if it makes you feel better I was born and raised about 20 minutes from ESL (near Troy, IL) and have been through it hundreds of times (to avoid traffic jams during rush hour mainly, although we have visited the Casino Queen a few occassions) and its not nearly as scary as everyone thinks. Its more deserted than anything.

When you get across the bridge just make sure you stay to the left to head to 55-70 because the interstate splits and the right two lanes turn into I-64 and will take you towards Mt. Vernon.

Tracy