Car Rental
St. Louis

Navigating to the rental car center at St. Louis Lambert International Airport is straightforward, even late at night. Both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have clear signage directing you from baggage claim to the shuttle pickup areas. All rental car companies are housed in a single, off-site facility reached by a continuously running shuttle bus. Simply follow the signs for "Rental Car Shuttles" and board the next available bus, which will take you directly to the correct building, eliminating any confusion between terminals.

For an early-morning weekday flight, it's wise to plan for at least 45 to 60 minutes of travel time from downtown to STL. While the drive on I-70 West can be as quick as 20 minutes in ideal conditions, morning commuter traffic begins building early. This extra buffer accounts for potential congestion on the highway, the time needed to return your rental vehicle, and the shuttle ride back to your terminal. Arriving with less stress is always a better way to start your travel day.

The most direct route from the airport rental car center is to follow the signs for Interstate 70. Taking I-70 East will lead you directly toward Downtown St. Louis and connects you to other major highways like I-170 and I-64. This primary artery is well-marked and generally easier to navigate for first-time visitors than immediately trying to use smaller state highways. Focus on getting onto I-70, and from there, you can use your GPS to guide you to your specific destination with greater ease.

A frequent issue drivers face is that GPS navigation often directs them to the main terminal's departure or arrival lanes instead of the specific rental car facility. To avoid this, input "St. Louis Airport Rental Car Return" as your destination rather than just the airport itself. As you approach the airport grounds, pay close attention to the overhead road signs. Look for dedicated signage that explicitly says "Rental Car Return" and follow those directions, as the entrance is a separate turn-off before you get into the main terminal traffic loops.

The grid system in Downtown St. Louis, particularly between Tucker Boulevard and the riverfront, is dominated by one-way streets that can easily confuse visitors. Key thoroughfares like Market, Chestnut, Pine, and Olive streets alternate direction, which can make circling a block a common necessity. The area around Washington Avenue's entertainment district is also tricky. The best strategy is to have your GPS active with voice commands on and to decide on your parking garage destination before you enter the busiest part of downtown.

The most practical approach is to park your car once and explore the immediate downtown area on foot. Find a central parking garage near your hotel or the ballpark and leave your vehicle there for the day. The Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium, the National Blues Museum, and numerous restaurants are all within a comfortable walking distance of each other. This strategy saves you the frustration and expense of finding new parking for each stop and allows you to 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 during peak times like dinner hours and weekends. The neighborhood's main artery, Euclid Avenue, becomes very busy, and on-street parking spots are scarce and highly coveted. To avoid frustration, your best bet is to head directly for one of the public parking garages located just off Euclid. Arriving a little before the main dinner rush can also greatly increase your chances of finding a convenient spot without circling endlessly.

The Hill is a charming historic neighborhood characterized by narrower residential streets, which can make parking feel tight. While many restaurants have small, dedicated lots, they fill up very quickly during dinner service. The most effective strategy is to look for on-street parking along the main commercial streets like Marconi Avenue or on the wider side streets. Be prepared to park a block or two away from your destination and enjoy a short walk, as patience is key to finding a spot.

Forest Park is immense, and parking availability varies by attraction and time. For the St. Louis Zoo, which is extremely popular, arriving right at opening time is the best way to secure a spot in their main north or south lots. For the Saint Louis Art Museum or Missouri History Museum, lots are generally less congested on weekdays. On a beautiful weekend, all lots can fill up, so arriving before 10 a.m. 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 experiences significant congestion heading westbound in the evening. In light traffic, this same drive would only take about 15 minutes. If your schedule is flexible, planning your travel between these two popular areas outside of peak commute times will save you considerable time and frustration.

Yes, visitors often find that St. Louis highways require attentive driving. Interstate 64 (also known as Highway 40) has several older sections, particularly as you approach 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, pay close attention to overhead signs, 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 is highly recommended to arrive in the area at least 90 minutes before kickoff to navigate the traffic and find parking. To avoid the worst of the post-game gridlock, consider parking in a garage several blocks away from the stadium. This allows for an easier exit onto the main thoroughfares once the pedestrian traffic has cleared.

Driving from Clayton or Brentwood to Busch Stadium for a game involves taking I-64 East directly into downtown. On game days, you should anticipate heavy traffic, especially as you get closer to the stadium exits like the one for 9th Street. Plan to leave much earlier than your GPS might suggest, allowing at least an hour for what would normally be a 20-minute drive. Pre-purchasing a parking pass for a specific garage online can also streamline your arrival and eliminate the stress of searching for a spot.

To avoid the most severe post-event traffic jams right outside the Enterprise Center, a good strategy is to park a few blocks away. Consider using the garages near Citygarden or further west toward CITYPARK. While this means a slightly longer walk, your car will be positioned away from the immediate gridlock on Clark Avenue and 14th Street. This allows you to access major streets or highways more quickly once you get back to your vehicle, saving you time sitting in traffic.

Visiting these three major attractions in one day by car requires a bit of strategic planning. The Art Museum is in Forest Park, and the Botanical Garden is a short drive away, so you can easily do those back-to-back. However, the Gateway Arch is downtown, which will require a separate drive and parking session. The most efficient plan is to visit the museum and garden first, then drive downtown, park your car once in a central garage, and explore the Arch and riverfront on foot.

For families, several attractions are designed for easy car access. The Magic House in Kirkwood has its own dedicated parking lot right next to the entrance, making it incredibly convenient. Similarly, Grant's Farm features a large, well-organized lot with a tram to take you to the main area. The St. Louis Zoo also has large lots at both its north and south entrances, minimizing the walk for little legs, especially if you arrive early.

The primary challenges when driving near the riverfront are frequent construction projects and a series of sometimes confusing ramps connecting to I-44 and the Poplar Street Bridge. Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard, which runs right along the river, is often subject to closures for events or flooding. It's essential to use an up-to-date GPS app that reflects current conditions and to be prepared for unexpected detours, especially on 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 many nearby paid lots. Afterward, you'll drive west to the Delmar Loop, where you can find street parking or use the large public parking garage located behind the Tivoli Theatre. Both locations are best explored on foot once you've parked.

Staying in historic St. Charles and commuting to St. Louis is very realistic, but you must plan around traffic. The drive via I-70 can be very congested during typical rush hours, from about 7:00 to 9:00 AM heading east into the city and 4:00 to 6:00 PM heading west back to St. Charles. During these times, the 30-minute trip can easily stretch to an hour or more. Traveling during off-peak, midday hours is significantly faster and less stressful.

During the beautiful spring season, especially on a sunny weekend, the Missouri Botanical Garden's parking lots can fill up quickly. To ensure a spot and avoid a long queue of cars, the best strategy is to arrive right when the garden opens in the morning. Alternatively, visiting on a weekday is always less crowded. If a weekend is your only option, consider an afternoon visit after 2:00 PM, as some of the morning crowd will have started to depart.

Major arterial roads in St. Louis like Kingshighway, Grand, and Hampton can be challenging for visitors. Be aware of intersections with dedicated left-turn signals that are not always intuitive, as well as areas where left turns are prohibited during rush hour. Some intersections involve five or more converging streets, requiring you to pay close attention to lane markings. The key is to stay in your intended lane well ahead of the intersection and avoid sudden maneuvers.

These attractions are located near each other and are very popular on weekends, especially Grant's Farm. Expect significant traffic backups on Grant Road leading into the entrance, particularly from mid-morning to early afternoon. The key is to arrive early, ideally before 10:00 AM, to minimize your time waiting in the car queue. Both locations offer ample free parking once you are off the main road, but the bottleneck 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 surprisingly short, typically only about 15 minutes from downtown. You simply take the I-55/I-64 bridge into Illinois and follow the well-marked signs for Collinsville Road. The route is direct and primarily uses major highways, making it very easy to navigate even for those unfamiliar with the area.

Washington Avenue is a bustling downtown corridor, so be vigilant about parking. On-street spots are metered and have strictly enforced time limits, so read all signs carefully to avoid a ticket. 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 parking garage is often the most convenient and safest option for your rental car.

The best approach is to make the brewery your anchor point for the day. Drive to the Anheuser-Busch complex and take advantage of their large, free visitor parking lot. After your tour, you can explore the historic Soulard neighborhood, with its unique architecture and market, on foot. This allows you to experience the area without the hassle of finding new parking on Soulard's narrow streets before you get back in your car for your next destination.

This is a common scenario in downtown St. Louis. Before you arrive, it's a good idea to call the hotel and ask about their specific 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 help of the bell staff, then immediately proceed to the hotel's recommended long-term parking garage.

The St. Louis Science Center has its main building and parking lot on the south side of I-64/US-40. This is the most convenient place to park if the Science Center is your primary destination or if you're heading south or west afterward. 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 immense. During major events like Soulard Mardi Gras, the Great Forest Park Balloon Race, or a downtown parade, expect widespread and often confusing road closures. Traffic becomes extremely heavy in and around the event area, and parking is virtually nonexistent nearby. The best plan is to park your car far from the festivities, often in a designated satellite lot or garage, and then walk or use public transportation to reach the event itself.

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 shoulders or streetlights. It's also important to note that services like gas stations and restaurants can be few and far between once you leave the suburban areas. Always start with a full tank of gas and plan your meal stops in the small towns along your route.

The Great River Road, especially the section north of Alton, Illinois, is designed for leisurely, scenic driving, not for speed. You should expect a slower pace as the road winds along the river and passes through several charming small towns with reduced speed limits. It is not difficult to navigate, as you are essentially following the river, but it is a two-lane road where you will want to relax and enjoy the view rather than try to make good time.

A day trip to Hermann is very practical and popular. The drive is approximately 90 minutes each way, offering a pleasant mix of highway and scenic country roads. To keep the schedule relaxed and avoid driving back in the dark, plan to leave St. Louis by 10:00 AM. This gives you ample time to visit two or three wineries and have lunch before starting your return trip around 4:00 or 5:00 PM, ensuring you're back before nightfall.

For an easy start to a Route 66 tour, head southwest from the city on Interstate 44, which closely follows the original path of the Mother Road. Simple and well-marked first stops include Ted Drewes Frozen Custard right 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 offers a great photo opportunity before you begin your main journey westward.

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

Soulard's historic charm includes narrow streets that can be challenging to navigate when busy. The simplest parking strategy is to avoid driving deep into the residential blocks and instead look for a spot on the wider perimeter streets, like S Broadway or Russell Boulevard. Arriving a bit early is always a good idea. Once parked, you can enjoy a short, pleasant walk to your restaurant, taking in the neighborhood's unique architecture without the stress of driving in circles.

The Delmar Loop is a premier entertainment district, and it becomes very congested with both vehicle and pedestrian traffic on weekend nights. On-street parking is extremely limited and fills up early. Your best and least stressful option is to head directly for the large public parking garage 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 open spot on the street.

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 time. 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 toll booths and find a good spot before the long lines form, allowing you to be near the front gates and 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). The lanes split abruptly on the Illinois side, so it is crucial to know which highway you need to be on and get into the correct lane well before you cross the river. The newer Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge (I-70) is generally less complex, but in either case, using GPS and paying close attention to overhead signs is essential.

During winter weather, elevated surfaces like bridges and overpasses are always the first to freeze, so be extra cautious on any highway interchange. Hilly areas, particularly in South and West St. Louis County, can also become very hazardous. Major interstates like I-64 and I-270 are usually a top priority for road crews, but it's always safest to delay travel if possible. If you must drive, reduce your speed significantly, increase your following distance, and stick to the most heavily traveled routes.

This is a frequent issue on the stretch of I-64/US-40 that runs through the city. As you head eastbound toward 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 area where lanes split with very little warning. The best defense is to watch overhead signs carefully and position your car in the correct lane far in advance.

To maximize your time and minimize driving, it's best to group your activities by location. Dedicate one full day to exploring central attractions like 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 driving back and forth across the metro area.