Hertz Car Hire
Saint Louis

After collecting your luggage at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, the most direct way to reach the Hertz desk is to follow the overhead signs for the Rental Car Facility. Both terminals have clearly marked exits leading to the shuttle pickup zones. A dedicated, complimentary shuttle runs frequently between the terminals and the consolidated car hire centre where our location is based. The system is straightforward, so you don’t need to navigate airport roads on foot.

When a major event like a Cardinals game is taking place, it’s sensible to build an extra buffer into your schedule for collecting your hire car. The counter process remains efficient, but overall airport congestion and road traffic are affected. Allow an additional 30 to 45 minutes to provide a comfortable cushion for potentially longer shuttle waits and heavier traffic as you start your drive into the city.

As you depart the rental car facility at STL, the most important initial step is to get onto I‑70. Set your sat-nav for your final destination before you start driving, but watch the initial signs directing you toward I‑70 East for downtown St. Louis or I‑70 West for St. Charles and points west. The airport exit system is well signed, but having your route pre-loaded lets you focus on the immediate signs and merge confidently onto the correct interstate from the outset.

For a first-time visitor, the most straightforward route from the airport to downtown St. Louis is to take I‑70 East. This interstate leads directly towards the city centre and is simpler to navigate than many alternatives. As you approach downtown, your sat-nav will guide you to the specific exit for your destination, such as Broadway or Memorial Drive near the Gateway Arch. Staying on I‑70 minimises the number of highway changes on your initial drive into the city.

Driving from STL to Clayton is generally less complex than heading downtown, since you’ll mainly use I‑170 South. Clayton is a business district with a more suburban feel, wider streets and more predictable traffic patterns outside weekday rush hours. Parking is often more accessible, with many hotels offering dedicated lots or garages and plenty of metered street parking and public car parks for visitors. That contrasts with the tighter one‑way grids and more competitive garage parking downtown.

A rental car is very practical for visiting these areas, as they are spread out enough that driving is the most convenient option. While the Central West End and The Loop are walkable neighbourhoods, a car is ideal for travelling between them and for accessing the extensive grounds of Forest Park. You can easily drive from the Saint Louis Art Museum to the Zoo, for example, without a long walk. Parking is generally available in car parks, on the street, or in dedicated lots at the park’s institutions.

A common challenge is navigating the frequent and often closely spaced exits on St. Louis highways, particularly on I‑64 (also Highway 40). Drivers can be surprised by left‑side exits, so know your exit number and lane positioning well in advance. Another confusing spot is the complex interchange where I‑44, I‑55, I‑64 and I‑70 converge near the Poplar Street Bridge downtown. A sat‑nav with lane guidance can be extremely helpful in these areas.

When driving to the Gateway Arch, visitors often encounter confusion around the final approaches from I‑44 and Memorial Drive. City improvement works can sometimes lead to unexpected detours near the monument. Follow the official National Park Service brown‑and‑white signs for the Gateway Arch, as they’re updated to reflect current traffic patterns. Setting your sat‑nav for the underground car park entrance on Washington Avenue can also help provide the most direct route.

Driving to City Museum is straightforward, but parking requires planning, particularly on busy weekends. The museum has its own dedicated parking lot, which can fill up quickly during peak hours. If the main lot is full, there are numerous independent surface lots and some street parking in the surrounding blocks, but expect a short walk of a few blocks. Arriving earlier in the day gives you the best chance of securing a spot in the museum’s primary lot.

For a low‑stress trip to Enterprise Center, plan to arrive downtown at least 60 to 90 minutes before the event begins. This allows you to navigate potential game‑day traffic and find parking without rushing. Numerous car parks are located within a few blocks of the arena, and pre‑booking a spot online through a parking app can save time and guarantee a space. Arriving early also gives you a chance to eat nearby or enter the venue before the biggest crowds.

To avoid constantly moving your car at Forest Park, park once and explore a cluster of attractions. For example, park near the Saint Louis Art Museum and walk to the nearby Saint Louis Zoo. Alternatively, park by the Missouri History Museum and enjoy the Grand Basin area. The park also runs a free tram, the Forest Park Explorer, which transports you between major destinations, allowing you to leave your car in one spot for the day.

Driving in St. Louis at night is generally manageable, as the main highways are well lit. However, some areas can be confusing for first‑time visitors. The network of one‑way streets downtown can be more challenging after dark, and the complex highway interchanges near the Poplar Street Bridge require extra attention. Neighbourhoods with older, narrower streets, like Soulard or The Hill, can also be trickier without daylight. Using a sat‑nav and reviewing your route beforehand will make nighttime driving much smoother.

When staying around Washington Avenue and Downtown West, be prepared for a grid of one‑way streets, which is typical of a city centre. Keep your sat‑nav active, as a missed turn may mean circling several blocks to get back on track. Hotel and public car park entrances are often mid‑block and can be easy to miss, so it helps to know the exact cross‑street for your entrance before you arrive. Pay attention to the signage to ensure you’re heading the correct way on these streets.

To manage weekday morning rush hour from downtown to STL, allow extra travel time. Peak traffic is typically between 07:00 and 09:00. Main routes such as I‑70 West and I‑64 West to I‑170 North experience significant congestion. A drive that takes 25 minutes in light traffic could easily take 45 minutes or more during this window. Check a real‑time traffic app before you depart for the most accurate estimate.

The most direct route from the STL airport area to historic St. Charles is to take I‑70 West. This interstate crosses the Missouri River and takes you to the exits for St. Charles. The drive is typically quick and easy, around 15–20 minutes without heavy traffic. Once you exit the highway, follow signs for historic Main Street and the riverfront, where there are public car parks and garages for visitors.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is very accessible by car and offers ample free parking in large, dedicated lots right at the main entrance. The surrounding Shaw neighbourhood has a grid of residential streets that are generally easy to navigate. You’re unlikely to have issues finding a spot even on busier days. Direct access from major roads like I‑44 makes the drive simple, and the well organised parking situation ensures a smooth start to your visit.

A day trip to Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is very easy with a hire car. The drive from downtown St. Louis is short, typically under 20 minutes, heading east into Illinois via I‑55/I‑64. There are no major logistical hurdles for the drive itself. The site has plenty of free parking, making it a convenient excursion. Plan for a few hours to explore the grounds and the interpretive centre, and be mindful of potential bridge traffic when returning to St. Louis during evening rush hour.

Crossing the Mississippi River is a daily routine for locals and quite simple for visitors. Main bridges, including the Poplar Street Bridge (I‑64/I‑55), the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge (I‑70) and the Eads Bridge, are all efficient options. The key is to be aware of your lane positioning well before you get on the bridge, as the interchanges on both sides can be complex. Expect possible slowdowns during morning and evening rush hours, but otherwise it’s a very manageable drive.

Driving to Grant’s Farm and the adjacent Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site typically involves suburban traffic patterns. These attractions are in a residential part of St. Louis County, so the drive is generally pleasant outside standard rush hours. Grant Road can get busy near the farm entrance, especially on summer weekends. It’s best to arrive a little before your planned entry time to allow for any lines of cars waiting to enter the parking area.

To manage a multi‑stop itinerary efficiently, group destinations by neighbourhood. For example, spend one part of the day exploring Forest Park attractions and another part visiting downtown sites like the Gateway Arch and City Museum. In the downtown area, consider parking once in a central car park and walking between several nearby locations. Using a parking app also helps identify and reserve spots in advance, saving you from circling for an open space.

Many of St. Louis’s top attractions are very accessible by car for visitors with limited mobility. The Missouri Botanical Garden, the Saint Louis Art Museum and the Missouri History Museum all have designated accessible parking close to their entrances. The Gateway Arch offers a drop‑off area and accessible parking in its attached garage. The St. Louis Zoo also provides numerous accessible parking spaces and a relatively flat layout, making it easier to get around.

For a family trip in the St. Louis summer, a vehicle with strong air conditioning and rear vents is essential to keep everyone comfortable. Given the many short drives between attractions, an easy‑to‑use navigation system reduces stress and keeps you on track. Ample cargo space is useful for stowing buggies, coolers and souvenirs. An SUV or minivan often provides the ideal mix of space, comfort and visibility for navigating the city with a family.

Combining a hire car with the MetroLink is a very practical strategy for a weekend. Use the car for destinations that are spread out or not on the train line, such as the Missouri Botanical Garden or Grant’s Farm. Then park at your hotel or a park‑and‑ride station and use the MetroLink for convenient access to downtown, the Central West End and the Delmar Loop without worrying about traffic or parking. This hybrid approach gives you the best of both worlds.

When visiting historic neighbourhoods like Soulard, The Hill or Cherokee Street for dinner, expect limited on‑street parking. These areas have older, narrower streets and spaces fill up quickly, especially on weekend evenings. It’s best to arrive a little early and be prepared to park a few blocks away and enjoy a short walk. Pay attention to posted parking restrictions, as some areas may be reserved for residents.

Visiting the Anheuser‑Busch Brewery is very convenient by car, as they provide large, well‑signed visitor parking lots free of charge. The entrance is clearly signed from main roads like Arsenal Street and Broadway. Simply follow the signs to the tour centre parking. Leaving is just as straightforward, with easy access back to I‑55 and other major routes, making it a hassle‑free part of your itinerary.

To ensure a scenic drive along the Great River Road, it’s best to start north of the city in Alton, Illinois. From St. Louis take Highway 367 north, cross the Clark Bridge into Alton and then follow the well‑marked signs for the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. This route keeps you on the intended scenic highway that hugs the river bluffs and takes you through charming towns such as Grafton. Starting in Alton helps you bypass the more industrial riverfront sections nearer to St. Louis.

For a low‑stress visit to the St. Louis Zoo on a peak day, the best strategy is to arrive early, ideally when it opens. This gives you the best chance of getting a spot in the zoo’s main North or South parking lots. If those are full, there is free street parking on roads within Forest Park, but it requires more searching. Using the South Lot, accessible from I‑64/Highway 40, is often more direct for visitors coming from the highway.

The St. Louis Science Center has a large car park, but it is shared with surrounding Forest Park attractions and can fill up on weekends and school holidays. Arriving earlier in the day is your best bet for securing a spot. The main entrance is directly accessible from the lot, so the walk to get inside is very short once you’ve parked. If the main lot is full, you may need to find street parking elsewhere in the park and walk over, which could add 10–15 minutes to your arrival time.

The Delmar Loop is easily reached by car via main roads such as Delmar Boulevard or Skinker Boulevard. During busy times, such as weekend evenings, on‑street metered parking can be competitive. However, the neighbourhood has a large public car park conveniently located behind the Tivoli Theatre. Using this central car park is often the most efficient option, as it saves you from circling the main strip and provides a predictable place to park just steps from the action.

A day trip to Hermann is a scenic drive, typically about 90 minutes from St. Louis via I‑70 West and then the scenic Highway 19 South. Roads are well maintained two‑lane highways once you leave the interstate. On the return, be mindful that Sunday evenings can see heavy traffic from weekend travellers. To avoid the worst of it, consider leaving Hermann before 15:00 or after 19:00 for a smoother drive back to the city.

A day trip from St. Louis to Springfield is very manageable with a hire car. The drive is straightforward, taking about 90 minutes to two hours each way, almost entirely on I‑55 North. This gives you plenty of time to visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Lincoln’s Home and his tomb. The sites in Springfield are relatively close to each other and parking is generally easy to find, making it a comfortable, rewarding day trip.

When driving to Six Flags, the main bottleneck occurs on I‑44 itself and at the exit ramp leading to the park, especially on summer weekends. To minimise time in traffic, plan to arrive about 30–45 minutes before the park officially opens. This allows you to get through the main entrance and parking tolls ahead of the biggest crowds. Leaving the park can also be slow, so you might consider staying for the final hour to let the initial exit rush clear.

In a heavy Midwest storm, visibility can decrease rapidly and roads can become slick. Low‑lying areas on highways, particularly sections of I‑64 and I‑44 near the river, can experience temporary water pooling. The best practice is to reduce speed significantly, increase following distance and use headlights. If the rain becomes torrential, it’s safest to pull over at a rest stop or exit until the worst of the storm passes.

In winter conditions, hilly areas in St. Louis County and the steeper entrance and exit ramps on the interstates can be particularly tricky. Bridges and overpasses freeze before other road surfaces, so take extra care when crossing them, especially the Poplar Street Bridge. Neighbourhoods with steep hills, such as parts of South County or West County, require slow speeds and gentle braking to maintain control. Main highways are typically prioritised for clearance, but conditions can still be challenging.

Visitors are often surprised by short merge lanes and the frequency of drivers making last‑minute lane changes to catch an exit, especially on I‑64/40 and I‑270. St. Louis drivers tend to be assertive, so be decisive and signal your intentions clearly. Also be aware of left‑hand exits on some highways, which can be unexpected if you’re not used to them. Maintaining a safe following distance is key to having enough time to react to these local driving styles.

A trip combining St. Louis and Kansas City is easily done by car. The drive between the two cities is about four hours, almost entirely on I‑70 West. A realistic plan is to dedicate at least two full days to exploring each city. Use a morning for the drive, arriving in the next city by early afternoon with time to check into your hotel and start sightseeing. This structure avoids feeling rushed and lets you properly experience both metropolitan areas.

Driving from the STL area to Edwardsville or Alton is very straightforward and makes for a good short outing. To reach Edwardsville you’ll primarily take I‑270 East, a simple drive of about 30–40 minutes. For Alton, Highway 367 North provides a more direct route, also around 30–40 minutes. There are no major difficulties on these routes—they’re standard interstate and highway driving. Just be aware of potential rush‑hour traffic when crossing the Mississippi River bridges.

To reduce confusion when heading to western suburbs like Chesterfield or Maryland Heights, the simplest route from STL is to take I‑70 West briefly to I‑270 South. This beltway loops you around the busiest parts of the city. For Maryland Heights, exit I‑270 at Page Avenue or Dorsett Road. For Chesterfield, continue on I‑270 South to I‑64/US‑40 West. Using I‑270 is far more straightforward than trying to cut through surface streets.

As in any major city, it’s best to avoid leaving luggage visible inside your rental car. Whenever possible, store bags and valuables out of sight in the boot. The most secure approach is to drop luggage at your hotel before you begin sightseeing for the day. If you must leave items in the car, choose a well‑lit, busy car park over a more isolated street spot. This simple precaution helps ensure a worry‑free visit.

To make a quick stop before returning your car at STL, it’s best to exit the highway a little early. Areas along Natural Bridge Road or Lambert International Boulevard, which run parallel to I‑70 just outside the airport, have numerous fast‑food outlets and coffee shops. Using one of these surface streets for your stop lets you proceed directly to the rental return entrance without negotiating complex highway ramps again. That makes the final stop more relaxed and efficient.