Avis Car Hire
Saint Louis

After collecting your luggage at either Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, simply follow the overhead signs for the Rental Car Shuttle. These complimentary shuttles run on a continuous loop, picking up passengers from designated areas outside the baggage reclaim exits. The ride to the consolidated car-hire facility, where the Avis counter is located, is typically very short. The system is designed to be straightforward, ensuring you can get from your flight to your vehicle with minimal confusion.

Hire car counters at major airports like STL are used to serving travellers on late-arriving flights. To ensure a smooth process, it’s a good idea to include your flight number in your booking. This allows staff to monitor your arrival time, even if your flight is delayed. While the airport may be quieter, the rental facility should be staffed and ready to assist you in getting on your way.

During peak travel times, such as Monday mornings or Friday afternoons, it’s wise to anticipate a higher volume of travellers at the rental facility. Adding an extra 20 to 30 minutes to your schedule is a good rule of thumb. This buffer accounts for potential queues at the counter and increased activity in the pickup garage. Planning for this slight delay helps ensure a relaxed start to your journey from St. Louis.

If you’re using a service like Avis Preferred that lets you bypass the counter, your pickup will be even faster. After arriving at the rental car facility, look for the digital display boards that list customer names and their assigned parking stall numbers. Your rental agreement will often be awaiting you in the vehicle. Simply locate your allotted spot in the designated member area, get in your car and proceed to the exit gate.

The most effective way to manage a flight delay is to ensure your flight information is included in your car hire booking. This alerts rental staff to your situation and helps them hold the vehicle for you. If you experience a significant delay or a flight cancellation, it’s also a good idea to call the rental location or customer service directly. Proactive communication is the key to a stress-free pickup experience, whatever happens to your flight.

Before you drive off, take a few moments for a quick vehicle inspection. Do a walk-around to note any pre-existing scratches or dings on the vehicle condition report. Inside the car, adjust your seat, mirrors and steering wheel for comfort and visibility. It’s also sensible to locate the controls for headlights, windscreen wipers and indicators so you’re prepared for any driving conditions you might encounter in Saint Louis.

The most direct route from the airport to downtown Saint Louis is via Interstate 70 East. The airport exit signs clearly mark the on-ramp for I-70, and you will stay on this highway for approximately 15 miles. This interstate takes you directly towards the city centre, with the Gateway Arch serving as a prominent landmark as you get closer. Using a GPS app will help you navigate the final city streets to your specific destination once you exit the interstate.

For first-time visitors, the interchange where I-64, I-44 and I-70 converge near downtown can be challenging due to multiple lanes and quick exits. A common mistake is not getting into the correct lane early enough for an upcoming turn. To avoid this, it’s highly recommended to use a GPS navigation app with lane-assist guidance. Reviewing your route briefly before you start driving can also help you feel more confident.

When staying in the downtown area near the Gateway Arch, the most convenient option is to use a paid parking garage. Many hotels offer guest parking, and there are numerous public garages that offer daily rates. This allows you to leave your car in a secure spot and explore the downtown attractions on foot. It's much simpler than trying to find and feed metered street parking throughout the day.

Driving and parking near Busch Stadium on match days requires some advance planning due to heavy traffic and road closures. The area becomes very congested several hours before the first pitch. Your best strategy is to arrive early and secure a spot in one of the official stadium lots or nearby private garages. Many of these lots allow you to reserve and pay for parking online in advance, which can save a lot of time and stress.

Similar to events at Busch Stadium, you should expect significant traffic delays and possible road closures around the Enterprise Center before and after a major event. The streets immediately surrounding the venue can become gridlocked, so it's essential to allow plenty of extra travel time. Check the venue’s website for specific parking information and consider using a parking garage a few blocks away and walking to avoid the worst of the congestion.

Yes, visiting these three locations in one day is ambitious but definitely achievable with a hire car. A good plan is to start your morning at the Saint Louis Zoo, as it’s most active then. Afterward, you can easily drive to the nearby Saint Louis Art Museum or Missouri History Museum within Forest Park. In the late afternoon, make the short drive to the Delmar Loop for dinner and to explore its shops and entertainment venues.

Forest Park offers extensive free parking throughout its grounds, including large lots and on-street parking. At busy weekends, the parking lots closest to the most popular attractions, like the Saint Louis Zoo and the Saint Louis Science Center, tend to fill up very quickly. If you arrive later in the day, be prepared to park a little further away and enjoy a pleasant walk to your destination.

The easiest way to drive to the Missouri Botanical Garden from downtown is to take Interstate 64 West (also signed as Highway 40) to the Kingshighway Boulevard exit. From there, follow the signs directing you to the garden. The trip is typically quick and straightforward outside of rush hour. You’ll find parking very convenient, as the garden has a large, free visitor car park located directly on-site.

The Hill is a historic residential neighbourhood known for its excellent Italian restaurants, and parking is primarily on the street. During peak dinner hours, especially at weekends, finding a spot can require some patience and you may need to circle a few blocks. However, visitors generally manage to find parking with a little effort. Just be sure to read any posted signs for parking restrictions.

The drive to Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is very easy and takes only about 15–20 minutes from downtown Saint Louis. You’ll simply cross the Mississippi River into Illinois via Interstate 55/64, and the site is located just a few miles from the river. Crossing the state line is seamless, with no tolls or stops, making it a very straightforward and highly recommended historical excursion during your visit.

Grant's Farm is located in South St. Louis County, easily accessible via Interstate 270 or Gravois Road. To make the most of a half-day trip, plan to arrive in the morning to enjoy the attractions before the afternoon crowds. The farm provides ample, well-organised parking for a nominal fee, making the arrival process simple. A GPS will guide you there efficiently from anywhere in the city without any complex navigation.

The most direct route to Six Flags is Interstate 44 West, which takes you almost directly to the park’s exit in Eureka. The drive typically takes about 30–40 minutes without traffic. To avoid the heaviest congestion, especially on summer weekends, it’s best to leave the city early enough to arrive at the park before it opens. The return trip can also be slow, so consider leaving slightly before the park closes.

For a relaxing and scenic drive, head west from Saint Louis into Missouri wine country around Augusta and Hermann. The drive along Highway 94 offers beautiful views of the Missouri River bluffs and rolling hills. Alternatively, you can take the Great River Road north along the Mississippi River for a different but equally picturesque experience. Both options provide a welcome escape from interstate traffic and showcase the region’s natural beauty.

Lone Elk Park is an excellent destination for families, as it’s a drive-through park where you can see elk, bison and other wildlife from your car. The driving is slow-paced and very easy. It’s conveniently located near the World Bird Sanctuary, allowing you to visit two great attractions in one trip. The area is just off Interstate 44, making it a simple and engaging outing that doesn’t require a full day.

A day trip to Hannibal is very manageable and makes for a wonderful excursion from Saint Louis. The drive north on U.S. Route 61 takes approximately two hours each way. The route is primarily a divided highway that passes through pleasant rural scenery. To make the most of your day, plan to leave Saint Louis in the morning so you have ample time to explore the historic downtown, Mark Twain’s boyhood home and the riverfront.

Winter weather in Saint Louis can be unpredictable, with the potential for snow, sleet or freezing rain. The biggest issue for visitors is often ice, especially on bridges, overpasses and less-travelled roads, which can become slick even after light precipitation. It’s important to monitor the weather forecast, allow extra travel time, and reduce your speed significantly if you encounter wintry conditions. Main highways are typically cleared quickly, but caution is always advised.

During heavy rainstorms, some low-lying roads and underpasses in the St. Louis area can be prone to flash flooding. If you receive a severe weather alert, it’s best to delay your travel until the storm has passed. If you are already on the road when a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued, the safest course of action is to exit the highway and seek shelter in a sturdy building, not under an overpass.

After leaving the airport’s rental car facility, you’ll find numerous convenient options for groceries and supplies. Major thoroughfares near the airport, such as I-70 and Lindbergh Boulevard, have several large supermarkets, pharmacies and big-box stores within a few minutes’ drive. Using your phone’s map app to search for a nearby grocery or drug store will quickly point you to the closest and most convenient stop on your way to your hotel.

Driving in Clayton, the county seat, feels more like a bustling, upmarket suburb than the dense urban core of downtown. The streets are generally wider, and while it gets busy during business hours, traffic is often less intense. Parking is a mix of metered street spots and numerous public garages, which are typically easy to find and access. Overall, many visitors find navigating Clayton to be a bit more relaxed than driving in the heart of downtown.

The Central West End is one of St. Louis’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, and it becomes very active with vehicle and pedestrian traffic around dinnertime. Driving can be slow-paced, so it’s best to plan for a leisurely arrival. While some metered street parking is available, most visitors find it much easier to use one of the many public parking garages located throughout the neighbourhood. This allows you to park once and enjoy the area’s restaurants and shops on foot.

For excellent views and easy parking, the riverfront area just south of the Gateway Arch along Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard is a great choice. There are several paid parking lots where you can stop for photos of the Arch, the river and the riverboats. Further south, in the Carondelet neighbourhood, Bellerive Park offers a beautiful bluff-top view of the river with simple park-and-walk access. Both locations provide great photo opportunities without complex navigation.

The complex interchange where several major interstates merge and split near downtown is a frequent source of confusion for visitors. A common error is being in the wrong lane for an exit, especially on the Poplar Street Bridge, which has exits for both downtown and other interstates. The key to navigating this area successfully is to use a GPS with lane guidance and to pay close attention to the overhead signs well in advance of your turn.

A hire car makes it very easy to experience both cities in a single day. A great itinerary is to spend the morning and early afternoon exploring a major St. Louis attraction like Forest Park or the Gateway Arch. Afterward, take the straightforward 25-minute drive west on Interstate 70 to historic St. Charles. You can then spend the late afternoon and evening strolling the charming Main Street and enjoying dinner by the Missouri River.

To avoid the largest crowds at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station, plan your visit for a weekday morning, arriving shortly after it opens. The on-site parking garage is large, but it serves the entire complex, including the hotel. Arriving mid-morning on a weekday generally allows you to find parking easily and enter the aquarium before the peak afternoon rush and weekend crowds arrive.

When relying on on-street parking, visitors should carefully read all posted signs for restrictions. Pay close attention to street cleaning days, which can result in a fine if ignored. Some areas have residential permit parking zones, which are off-limits without a permit. Also be mindful of rush-hour restrictions on major streets, where parking is prohibited during morning and evening commutes to improve traffic flow.

During major university events, such as graduation or student move-in/move-out weekends, the area around Washington University and the Delmar Loop experiences a dramatic increase in traffic. Parking becomes extremely scarce, and many side streets may have temporary restrictions. If your visit coincides with one of these events, it’s best to allow significant extra travel time and consider using a public parking garage as your first option.

For a road trip to Chicago, leaving St. Louis between 08:00 and 09:00 on a weekday is ideal, as it allows you to miss the worst of the local morning rush hour. The drive up I-55 takes about 4.5 to 5 hours. Good places to stop for a break are Springfield, Illinois (about halfway) or Bloomington-Normal. This pattern allows you to stretch your legs every couple of hours and arrive in the Chicago area before its evening rush hour begins.

Driving from St. Louis to Kansas City is very realistic for a short trip, as the drive is a straightforward four-hour journey on Interstate 70 West. The motorway is mostly rural between the two cities, making for a relatively easy drive. The main point to plan around is potential congestion as you pass through Columbia, Missouri, especially during university event weekends. Otherwise, it’s a direct and manageable route for a weekend getaway.

The most direct route to Springfield is Interstate 44 West, a drive that typically takes about 3.5 hours. The route travels through the scenic Ozark hills. You may encounter some traffic slowdowns around the city of Rolla and near the Fort Leonard Wood exit, particularly on Friday afternoons or holiday weekends when military personnel are travelling. For the most part, however, it is a smooth and pleasant drive.

For a fantastic photo opportunity of the St. Louis skyline and Gateway Arch, drive across the Eads Bridge or Martin Luther King Bridge into Illinois. Your destination should be Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park, which offers an elevated, unobstructed viewpoint. The park has its own dedicated car park, making it an incredibly simple and rewarding stop. It’s a very short drive from downtown and provides the best panoramic views of the city.

The most efficient way to coordinate a multi-car pickup is for each driver to handle their rental process separately. Once everyone has their vehicle, a great plan is to meet at the airport’s cell phone lot, which is a short drive from the rental facility. Alternatively, you could pick a nearby petrol station or coffee shop as a rendezvous point. This prevents congestion in the rental garage and allows your group to sync up before heading out on the road together.

When you arrive at the rental desk, it’s helpful to discuss your needs with the agent. Ask if a vehicle with more boot space for a wheelchair or mobility scooter is available. It’s also a good idea to enquire about features like power-sliding doors on a people carrier or a vehicle that sits at a comfortable height for easier entry and exit. The staff can help you select the most suitable and comfortable option from the available fleet.

To keep your belongings secure, always place them in the boot or out of sight before you arrive at your destination. Avoid organising your luggage or leaving valuables visible in the passenger cabin when you park. Whenever possible, choose well-lit parking lots or attended garages, especially when leaving the car for several hours. These simple habits significantly reduce the risk of theft and allow you to explore with peace of mind.

As you approach St. Louis Lambert International Airport, be sure to stay in the middle or left lanes and look for the large overhead signs specifically for "Rental Car Return." These signs will appear well before the terminal exits and will guide you to a dedicated entrance for the rental car facility. Following these specific signs is crucial, as it allows you to bypass the passenger drop-off and pick-up loops entirely, leading to a much more direct and stress-free return.