Car Hire
St. Louis

Finding the rental car centre at St. Louis Lambert International Airport is straightforward, even late at night. Both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have clear signs guiding you from baggage reclaim to the shuttle pick-up points. All rental companies operate from a single off-site facility served by a continuously running shuttle bus. Simply follow the signs for Rental Car Shuttles and board the next available bus; it will take you directly to the correct building, avoiding any confusion between terminals.

For an early-morning weekday flight, it’s sensible to allow at least 45 to 60 minutes travel time from downtown to STL. While the drive on I‑70 West can be as quick as 20 minutes in ideal conditions, commuter traffic builds up early. That buffer covers possible highway congestion, the time to return your rental car and the shuttle ride back to your terminal. Arriving with less stress is always a better way to start your journey.

The most direct route from the airport rental car centre is to follow the signs for Interstate 70. Taking I‑70 East will lead you straight towards Downtown St. Louis and links you to other major highways such as I‑170 and I‑64. This main artery is well signed and generally easier for first‑time visitors to navigate than heading onto smaller state roads immediately. Focus on getting onto I‑70, then use your GPS for the final leg to your specific destination.

A frequent issue is that GPS units often route drivers to the main terminal departure or arrival lanes instead of the specific rental car facility. To avoid this, set your destination to St. Louis Airport Rental Car Return rather than just the airport. As you approach the airport grounds, watch the overhead road signs. Look for clear signage marked Rental Car Return and follow those directions, since the entrance is a separate turn‑off before you enter the main terminal traffic loops.

The downtown grid, particularly between Tucker Boulevard and the riverfront, is dominated by one‑way streets that can easily confuse visitors. Main thoroughfares such as Market, Chestnut, Pine and Olive alternate direction, so circling a block is often necessary. The area around Washington Avenue’s entertainment district is also tricky. Best practice is to have your GPS with voice directions on and to choose your parking garage before you enter the busiest part of downtown.

The most practical approach is to park once and explore the immediate downtown area on foot. Find a central car park near your hotel or the ballpark and leave your vehicle there for the day. The Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium, the National Blues Museum and many restaurants are all within comfortable walking distance of each other. This saves you the hassle and cost of finding new parking for every stop and lets you enjoy the city’s core at a more relaxed pace.

Driving in the Central West End is manageable, but parking can be a significant challenge at peak times such as dinner hours and weekend nights. The neighbourhood’s main artery, Euclid Avenue, gets very busy and on‑street spaces are scarce and highly sought after. To avoid frustration, head directly for one of the public car parks just off Euclid. Arriving a little before the main dinner rush will also improve your chances of finding a convenient space.

The Hill is a charming historic neighbourhood with narrower residential streets, which can make parking feel tight. While many restaurants have small, dedicated lots, they fill quickly during dinner service. The most effective strategy is to look for on‑street parking along main commercial streets like Marconi Avenue or on the wider side streets. Be prepared to park a block or two away and enjoy a short walk; patience is key to finding a space.

Forest Park is extensive and parking availability varies by attraction and time. For the very popular St. Louis Zoo, arriving right at opening is the best way to secure a spot in the main north or south lots. For the Saint Louis Art Museum or Missouri History Museum, lots are generally less congested on weekdays. On a lovely weekend, all lots can fill up, so arriving before 10:00 am is a wise strategy for any destination within the park.

During weekday rush hour, typically from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, the drive between Downtown and Forest Park can easily take 30 to 45 minutes. The primary route, Interstate 64 (Highway 40), often sees significant congestion westbound in the evening. In light traffic the same drive would take about 15 minutes. If your schedule is flexible, travelling between these areas outside peak times will save you considerable time and frustration.

Yes, visitors often find St. Louis highways require attentive driving. Interstate 64 (also known as Highway 40) has several older sections, particularly near downtown, with very short on‑ramps and exit lanes that can appear abruptly. On both I‑64 and I‑44 it’s common for lanes to split or become exit‑only with little warning. The best advice is to know your exit number in advance, watch the overhead signs closely and avoid last‑minute lane changes.

On match days expect significant road closures and detours on the streets immediately surrounding CITYPARK, including Market Street and Olive Street. It’s highly recommended to arrive at least 90 minutes before kick‑off to manage traffic and find parking. To avoid the worst of the post‑game gridlock, consider parking in a car park several blocks away from the stadium so you can exit onto main thoroughfares more easily once pedestrian traffic has cleared.

Driving from Clayton or Brentwood to Busch Stadium involves taking I‑64 East directly into the city centre. On game days you should anticipate heavy traffic, especially as you near stadium exits such as 9th Street. Allow at least an hour for what would normally be a 20‑minute drive. Pre‑purchasing a parking pass for a specific car park online can also streamline your arrival and remove the stress of searching for a space.

To avoid the worst post‑event traffic jams right outside the Enterprise Center, a good strategy is to park a few blocks away. Consider the car parks near Citygarden or further west towards CITYPARK. While this means a slightly longer walk, your vehicle will be positioned away from the immediate gridlock on Clark Avenue and 14th Street, allowing quicker access to main roads or motorways when you return to your car.

Visiting those three major attractions in one day by car needs a bit of strategic planning. The Art Museum is in Forest Park and the Botanical Garden is a short drive away, so those two are easy to pair. The Gateway Arch is downtown, requiring a separate drive and parking session. The most efficient plan is to visit the museum and garden first, then drive downtown, park once in a central car park and explore the Arch and riverfront on foot.

For families several attractions offer easy car access. The Magic House in Kirkwood has a dedicated car park right next to the entrance, making it very convenient. Grant’s Farm features a large, well‑organised lot with a tram to the main area. The St. Louis Zoo also has large lots at both its north and south entrances, reducing walking for small legs, particularly if you arrive early.

The main challenges near the riverfront are frequent construction projects and a series of sometimes confusing ramps linking to I‑44 and the Poplar Street Bridge. Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard, which runs along the river, can be closed for events or flooding. Use an up‑to‑date GPS app that reflects current conditions and be prepared for unexpected detours, especially at weekends or during major downtown events.

These two destinations are in different parts of the city, so you will need to drive between them and park separately at each. For the City Museum downtown, the most practical option is to use their secured parking lot or one of the nearby paid lots. Afterwards drive west to the Delmar Loop, where street parking or the large public car park behind the Tivoli Theatre are good options. Both places are best explored on foot once you’ve parked.

Staying in historic St. Charles and commuting into St. Louis is very realistic, but plan around the traffic. The drive via I‑70 can be heavily congested during rush hours, roughly 7:00 to 9:00 am heading east and 4:00 to 6:00 pm heading west. During those times a 30‑minute trip can easily stretch to an hour or more. Travelling during off‑peak midday hours is significantly faster and less stressful.

In spring, especially on a sunny weekend, the Missouri Botanical Garden’s car parks can fill quickly. To secure a space and avoid long queues, the best approach is to arrive right at opening. Alternatively, visit on a weekday when it’s less crowded. If a weekend is your only option, consider an afternoon visit after 2:00 pm when some of the morning crowd will have departed.

Major arterial roads like Kingshighway, Grand and Hampton can be challenging for visitors. Be aware of intersections with dedicated left‑turn signals that aren’t always intuitive and areas where left turns are prohibited during peak times. Some junctions involve five or more converging streets, so watch the lane markings. The key is to be in your intended lane well ahead of the intersection and avoid sudden manoeuvres.

These attractions are close to each other and very popular at weekends, especially Grant’s Farm. Expect significant traffic queues on Grant Road leading into the entrance, particularly from mid‑morning to early afternoon. The best approach is to arrive early, ideally before 10:00 am, to minimise your time in the car queue. Both sites offer ample free parking once you’re off the main road, but the bottle‑neck is at the entrance.

A trip to the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is one of the least stressful day trips from St. Louis. The drive is short, typically about 15 minutes from downtown. Take the I‑55/I‑64 bridge into Illinois and follow the well‑marked signs for Collinsville Road. The route is direct and mainly uses major highways, making it easy to navigate even for those unfamiliar with the area.

Washington Avenue is a busy downtown corridor, so be vigilant about parking. On‑street spaces are metered and have strictly enforced time limits, so read signs carefully to avoid a fine. On weekend nights the area is very active with pedestrians, diners and rideshare vehicles, requiring slow and cautious driving. For peace of mind, especially overnight, using a secure car park is often the most convenient and safest option for your rental.

The best approach is to make the brewery your anchor for the day. Drive to the Anheuser‑Busch complex and use their large, free visitor car park. After your tour you can explore the historic Soulard neighbourhood on foot, enjoying its architecture and market without the hassle of searching for parking on narrow streets before returning to your car for the next destination.

This is common in downtown St. Louis. Before you arrive, call the hotel and ask about their procedure for loading and unloading. Most hotels have a designated short‑term pull‑in area, even on a busy street. The best practice is to pull into this zone, put your hazard lights on and quickly unload your bags with the bell staff’s help, then proceed to the hotel’s recommended long‑term car park.

The St. Louis Science Center has its main building and car park on the south side of I‑64/US‑40. This is most convenient if the Science Center is your primary destination or if you’re heading south or west afterwards. However, if you plan to visit other Forest Park attractions like the Zoo or Art Museum later, you could park for free on the north side of the highway within the park and use the pedestrian bridge to walk over to the Science Center.

The difference is huge. During major events like Soulard Mardi Gras, the Great Forest Park Balloon Race or a downtown parade, expect widespread and sometimes confusing road closures. Traffic around the event area becomes extremely heavy and parking nearby is virtually non‑existent. The best plan is to park well away from the festivities, often in a designated satellite lot or car park, and then walk or use public transport to reach the event.

When heading out for a scenic drive, such as along the bluffs of the Great River Road or through Missouri wine country, be prepared for rural two‑lane roads. These routes can be winding and may lack hard shoulders or street lighting. It’s also important to note that services like petrol stations and restaurants can be few and far between once you leave the suburbs. Start with a full tank and plan meal stops in the small towns along your route.

The Great River Road, especially north of Alton, Illinois, is designed for leisurely scenic driving, not for speed. Expect a slower pace as the road winds along the river and passes through charming small towns with lower speed limits. It isn’t hard to navigate — you’re largely following the river — but it’s best to relax and enjoy the views rather than trying to make good time.

A day trip to Hermann is very practical and popular. The drive is roughly 90 minutes each way, offering a pleasant mix of motorway and scenic country roads. To keep the day relaxed and avoid driving back in the dark, plan to leave St. Louis by 10:00 am. That gives you time to visit two or three wineries and have a leisurely lunch before returning around 4:00–5:00 pm to be back before nightfall.

For an easy start to a Route 66 tour, head southwest on Interstate 44, which closely follows the original Mother Road. Simple, well‑marked first stops include Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis or the Route 66 State Park near Eureka. Another iconic and easy to reach spot is the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge on the northern edge of the city, which makes a great photo opportunity before you head west.

While the most direct route is I‑170 South, it can be heavily congested during rush hour. A reliable alternative is to use main surface streets. From the airport you can take Lambert International Boulevard to Hanley Road and drive south into the heart of Clayton. This route has traffic lights but often moves more consistently than a backed‑up motorway, making it less stressful for a first‑time driver in the area.

Soulard’s historic charm includes narrow streets that can be tricky when busy. The simplest parking strategy is to avoid driving deep into the residential blocks and instead look for a space on the wider perimeter streets like S Broadway or Russell Boulevard. Arriving a little early helps. Once parked, enjoy a short pleasant walk to your restaurant and take in the neighbourhood’s architecture without the stress of circling for a space.

The Delmar Loop is a premier entertainment district and becomes very congested with both vehicle and pedestrian traffic on weekend nights. On‑street parking is extremely limited and fills early. Your best, least stressful option is to head straight for the large public car park located just north of Delmar with an entrance on Enright Avenue. It’s centrally located and saves you the frustration of hunting for a rare street spot.

To get ahead of the main traffic surge at Six Flags, plan to arrive at the park’s entrance 30 to 45 minutes before its scheduled opening. The drive from St. Louis on I‑44 West typically takes about 40 minutes without traffic. By arriving early you’ll get through the parking tolls and find a good spot before long lines form, allowing you to be ready for the rides as soon as the park opens.

Driving into Illinois can be tricky for newcomers, particularly when using the Poplar Street Bridge, which carries three interstates (I‑55, I‑64 and I‑70). Lanes split abruptly on the Illinois side, so it’s crucial to know which highway you need and get into the correct lane well before crossing. The newer Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge (I‑70) is generally less complex, but in either case using GPS and watching the overhead signs is essential.

In winter conditions elevated surfaces like bridges and overpasses freeze first, so take extra care on any interchange. Hilly areas, particularly in South and West St. Louis County, can also become hazardous. Major interstates such as I‑64 and I‑270 are usually prioritised by road crews, but it’s safest to delay travel if possible. If you must drive, reduce speed significantly, increase your following distance and stick to the busiest routes.

This is a frequent issue on the stretch of I‑64/US‑40 through the city. Heading eastbound towards downtown, the right‑hand lanes can unexpectedly become exit‑only for destinations like Hampton Avenue or the stadium area. The complex interchange where I‑44, I‑55 and I‑70 converge near the Poplar Street Bridge is another location where lanes split with little warning. The best defence is to watch overhead signs carefully and position your car in the correct lane well in advance.

To make the most of your time and minimise driving, group activities by location. Dedicate one full day to central attractions such as Forest Park, the Central West End and The Hill. Use another day for downtown, the Gateway Arch and the riverfront. For day trips to places like historic St. Charles, Hermann wine country or the Great River Road, plan to spend the entire day on that excursion to avoid constantly driving back and forth across the metro area.