Hertz Car Rental
Saint Louis

After collecting your luggage at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, the most direct way to reach the Hertz counter 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 bus runs frequently between the terminals and the consolidated rental car center where our location is housed. This system is designed to be straightforward, keeping you from having to navigate airport roads on foot.

When a major event like a Cardinals game is happening, it's wise to build an extra buffer into your schedule for picking up your rental car. While the process at the counter remains efficient, the primary impact is on overall airport congestion and traffic on the roads leading away from STL. Planning for an additional 30 to 45 minutes can provide a comfortable cushion to account for potentially longer shuttle waits and heavier traffic as you begin your drive into the city.

As you depart the rental car facility at STL, the most important first step is to get onto I-70. Set your GPS for your final destination before you start driving, but pay close attention to the initial signs directing you toward either I-70 East for downtown St. Louis or I-70 West for St. Charles and points west. The airport exit system is well-marked, but having your route pre-loaded allows you to focus on the immediate signage and merge confidently onto the correct interstate from the start.

For a first-time visitor, the most straightforward route from the airport to downtown St. Louis is taking I-70 East. This interstate leads you directly toward the city center with relatively simple navigation compared to other options. As you approach downtown, your GPS will guide you to the specific exit for your destination, such as the exits for Broadway or Memorial Drive near the Gateway Arch. Sticking to I-70 minimizes the number of highway changes you need to make on your initial drive into the city.

Driving from STL to Clayton is generally less complex than heading downtown, as you'll primarily use I-170 South. Clayton is a business district with a more suburban feel, featuring wider streets and more predictable traffic patterns outside of weekday rush hours. Parking is often more accessible, with many hotels offering dedicated lots or garages, and plentiful metered street parking and public garages available for visitors. This often contrasts with the tighter, one-way street grids and more competitive garage parking found in the heart of downtown.

A rental car is highly practical for visiting these areas, as they are spread out just enough to make driving the most convenient option. While the Central West End and The Loop are walkable neighborhoods themselves, a car is ideal for traveling between them and accessing the vast 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 garages, on the street, or in dedicated lots at the park's institutions.

A common challenge for visitors is navigating the frequent and often closely spaced exits on St. Louis highways, particularly on I-64 (also known as Highway 40). Drivers can be surprised by exits that appear on the left side of the highway, so it's crucial to know your exit number and lane positioning well in advance. Another point of confusion is the complex interchange where I-44, I-55, I-64, and I-70 converge near the Poplar Street Bridge downtown. Using a GPS with lane guidance can be extremely helpful in these areas.

When driving to the Gateway Arch, visitors often encounter confusion around the final approaches off I-44 and Memorial Drive. Ongoing city improvements can sometimes lead to unexpected detours right near the monument. The key is to follow the official brown-and-white National Park Service signs for "Gateway Arch" as you get closer, as they are updated to reflect current traffic patterns. Setting your GPS specifically for the underground parking garage entrance on Washington Avenue can also help provide the most direct route.

Driving to City Museum is straightforward, but parking requires some 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 be prepared for a short walk of a few blocks. Arriving earlier in the day generally 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 feeling rushed. Numerous parking garages are located within a few blocks of the arena, and pre-booking a spot online through a parking app can often save time and guarantee a space. Arriving early also gives you a chance to walk to a nearby restaurant or simply head into the venue before the biggest crowds.

To avoid constantly moving your car at Forest Park, it's best to park once and explore a cluster of attractions. For example, you can park near the Saint Louis Art Museum and also walk to the nearby Saint Louis Zoo. Alternatively, park near the Missouri History Museum and enjoy the green space around the Grand Basin. The park also operates a free tram system, the Forest Park Explorer, which can transport 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 to navigate after dark, and the complex highway interchanges near the Poplar Street Bridge require extra attention. Neighborhoods with older, narrower streets, like Soulard or The Hill, can also be trickier without daylight. Using a GPS and reviewing your route beforehand can make nighttime driving much smoother.

When staying in the Washington Avenue and Downtown West areas, be prepared for a grid of one-way streets, which is typical for a city center. It's essential to have your GPS active, as a missed turn may require you to circle several blocks to get back on track. Hotel and public parking garage entrances are often located mid-block and can be easy to miss, so it's helpful to know the exact cross-street for your garage entrance before you arrive. Pay close attention to signage to ensure you're heading the correct way on these streets.

To manage the weekday morning rush hour from downtown to STL, it's best to allow for extra travel time. The peak traffic period is typically from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM. The main routes, I-70 West and I-64 West to I-170 North, will experience significant congestion. A drive that might take 25 minutes in light traffic could easily take 45 minutes or more during this window. Check a real-time traffic app before you depart to get the most accurate travel time estimate.

The most direct route from the STL airport area to historic St. Charles is to take I-70 West. This interstate will take you across the Missouri River directly to the exits for St. Charles. The drive is typically quick and easy, usually taking around 15-20 minutes without heavy traffic. Once you exit the highway, follow the signs for the historic Main Street and riverfront, where you'll find ample public parking lots and garages to begin your evening.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is very accessible by car and offers ample free parking in its large, dedicated lots right at the main entrance. The surrounding neighborhood, Shaw, features gridded residential streets that are generally easy to navigate. You are unlikely to have any issues finding a spot, even on busier days. The direct access from major roads like I-44 makes the drive simple, and the well-organized parking situation ensures a smooth start to your visit.

A day trip to the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is very easy with a rental 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 to plan around for the drive itself. The site has plenty of free parking, making it a convenient excursion. Simply plan for a few hours to explore the grounds and the interpretive center, 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 it's quite simple for visitors. The 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. Be prepared for potential traffic slowdowns during standard 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 located in a residential area of St. Louis County, so the drive is generally pleasant outside of standard rush hours. The main road, Grant Road, can get busy right around the entrance to Grant's Farm, especially on summer weekends. It's best to arrive a little before your planned entry time to account for any lines of cars waiting to enter the parking area.

To efficiently manage a multi-stop itinerary, try to group your destinations by neighborhood. For example, spend one part of your day exploring the attractions in Forest Park, and another part visiting downtown sites like the Gateway Arch and City Museum. For downtown, consider parking once in a central garage and walking between several nearby locations. Using a parking app can also help you identify and reserve spots in garages ahead of time, 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 navigate.

For a family trip in the St. Louis summer, a vehicle with powerful air conditioning and rear A/C vents is essential for keeping everyone comfortable. Given the many short drives between attractions, a car with easy-to-use navigation can reduce stress and keep you on track. Ample cargo space is also a major plus for stowing strollers, coolers, and souvenirs. An SUV or minivan often provides the ideal combination of space, comfort, and visibility for navigating the city with a family.

Combining a rental car with the MetroLink is a very practical and smart strategy for a weekend trip. You can use the car for destinations that are spread out or not directly on the train line, such as the Missouri Botanical Garden or Grant's Farm. Then, you can park your car 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 offers the best of both worlds.

When visiting historic neighborhoods like Soulard, The Hill, or Cherokee Street for dinner, be prepared for limited on-street parking. These areas feature older, narrower streets, and parking spots fill up quickly, especially on weekend evenings. It's best to arrive a little early and be prepared to park a few blocks away from your destination and enjoy a short walk. Pay close attention to any 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-marked visitor parking lots free of charge. The entrance is clearly signed from the main thoroughfares like Arsenal Street and Broadway. Simply follow the signs to the dedicated tour center parking. Leaving is just as straightforward, with easy access back to I-55 and other major city arteries, making it a hassle-free part of your itinerary.

To ensure a scenic drive along the Great River Road, it's best to start your route 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 will keep you on the intended scenic highway that hugs the river bluffs, taking you through charming towns like Grafton. Using Alton as your starting point helps you bypass the more industrial sections of the riverfront closer 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 right 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 lots are full, there is free street parking available on the 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 parking lot, but it is shared with the 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 major streets like Delmar Boulevard or Skinker Boulevard. During busy times, such as weekend evenings, on-street metered parking can be competitive. However, the neighborhood is well-equipped with a large public parking garage conveniently located behind the Tivoli Theatre. Using this central garage 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 beautiful drive, typically taking about 90 minutes from St. Louis via I-70 West and then scenic Highway 19 South. The roads are well-maintained two-lane highways once you leave the interstate. For your return, be mindful that heading back to St. Louis on a Sunday evening can involve heavy traffic from weekend travelers. To avoid the worst of it, consider leaving Hermann either before 3:00 PM or after 7:00 PM to ensure a smoother drive back to the city.

A day trip from St. Louis to Springfield is very manageable with a rental car. The drive is straightforward, taking about 90 minutes to two hours each way, almost entirely on I-55 North. This allows 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 and rewarding single-day excursion.

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 minimize your 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 toll booths 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 out.

During a heavy Midwest storm in St. Louis, visibility can decrease rapidly, and roads can become slick. It's common for some low-lying areas on highways, particularly sections of I-64 and I-44 near the river, to experience temporary water pooling. The best practice is to reduce your speed significantly, increase your following distance, and use your 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.

During winter weather, 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 exercise extreme caution when crossing them, especially the Poplar Street Bridge. Neighborhoods with steep hills, like those in South County or parts of West County, require slow speeds and gentle braking to maintain control. Main highways are typically prioritized for clearing, but conditions can still be challenging.

Visitors are often surprised by the 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 it's important to be decisive and signal your intentions clearly. Also, be aware of the "left-hand exits" on some highways, which can be unexpected if you're not accustomed 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. You can use a morning for the drive, arriving in the next city by early afternoon with plenty of time to check into your hotel and start sightseeing. This structure avoids feeling rushed and allows you to fully experience what both metropolitan areas have to offer.

Driving from the STL area to Edwardsville or Alton is very easy and makes for a great, quick outing. To reach Edwardsville, you'll primarily use I-270 East, a simple drive of about 30-40 minutes. For Alton, taking Highway 367 North provides a more direct route, also taking around 30-40 minutes. There are no major difficulties to watch for on these routes, as they are 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 for a very short distance to I-270 South. This beltway will loop you around the busiest parts of the city. For Maryland Heights, you'll exit I-270 at Page Avenue or Dorsett Road. For Chesterfield, you'll 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 with any major city, it's always best to avoid leaving luggage visible inside your rental car. Whenever possible, store all bags and valuables out of sight in the trunk. The most secure approach is to drop your luggage at your hotel before you begin sightseeing for the day. If you must leave items in the car, choose a well-lit, busy parking garage over a more isolated spot on the street. This simple precaution helps ensure a worry-free visit.

To make a quick stop before your car return at STL, your best bet is to exit the highway a bit early. The areas along Natural Bridge Road or Lambert International Boulevard, which run parallel to I-70 just outside the airport, have numerous fast-food restaurants and coffee shops. By using one of these surface streets for your stop, you can easily proceed directly to the rental car return entrance without having to navigate complex highway ramps again. This makes for a much more relaxed and efficient final stop.