Hotel suggestions either west or east of St. Louis?

[mamajoan]

Fill up your gas tank in Missouri... usually 20 cents per gallon CHEAPER than Illinois.

Illinois is a nice place .. as for East St. Louis and Washington Park it is no more dangerous than North St. Louis. I have no problems at all when I travel in these places. However for someone not familiar with the areas it can be a bit scary. Better to be comfortable and safe. That is why I told you to avoid exits before exit 9 on the Illinois side of the river.

You can check the KMOV website for traffic issues. MoDOT and IDOT have construction projects moving forward on all the highways, in all directions.

http://www.kmov.com

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Fill up your gas tank in Missouri... usually 20 cents per gallon CHEAPER than Illinois.

Illinois is a nice place .. as for East St. Louis and Washington Park it is no more dangerous than North St. Louis. I have no problems at all when I travel in these places. However for someone not familiar with the areas it can be a bit scary. Better to be comfortable and safe. That is why I told you to avoid exits before exit 9 on the Illinois side of the river.

You can check the KMOV website for traffic issues. MoDOT and IDOT have construction projects moving forward on all the highways, in all directions.

http://www.kmov.com

Sorry mamajoan, we will have to agree to disagree. I grew up in North County. I had friends murdered in East St. Louis.

My brother had a coworker murdered there a few yrs ago.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would turn off I-70 at I-64/US 40 rather than take I-70 around and through the City. The traffic is comparable on both and while I can't say that any is shorter than the other, it is my habit to get off I-70. I also think that Highway 40 is easier to drive than I-70 (not as many truckers).

I'd also have to disclose that St. Charles County feels like the other end of the earth to me (I live in SW St. Louis County) and I'm just not as familiar with it (other than Main Street).

Enjoy your drive.

Karen

Totally agree. Drive 40 instead of 70 if you want to stop for the night.

HWY 40 is FINISHED with construction and is a pleasant drive with plenty of "safe" places to stop along the way up to Brentwood really.

HWY 70 is under construction and can be a pain because of that. They are always closing something. I heard they are going to be closing the bridge for something or another.

As far as St. Charles County being the other end of the earth, nah...need to get out more. I used to feel that way. Now I am at the other end and I have to travel 44, 270, 40.

 

[travelbug]

I would turn off I-70 at I-64/US 40 rather than take I-70 around and through the City. The traffic is comparable on both and while I can't say that any is shorter than the other, it is my habit to get off I-70. I also think that Highway 40 is easier to drive than I-70 (not as many truckers).

That's what I wanted to know! Thanks for your advice!

Fill up your gas tank in Missouri... usually 20 cents per gallon CHEAPER than Illinois.

Wow, that's good to know. I'll be sure to do that. Thanks!

Totally agree. Drive 40 instead of 70 if you want to stop for the night.

HWY 40 is FINISHED with construction and is a pleasant drive with plenty of "safe" places to stop along the way up to Brentwood really.

HWY 70 is under construction and can be a pain because of that. They are always closing something. I heard they are going to be closing the bridge for something or another.

Thanks for your advice! This is what I wanted to know.

Sounds like I-40 it will be! Good, now I'll zero in on a hotel, and that part of the trip will be set so I can move on and plan the other parts. Thanks so much, everyone! I'm so grateful for your help and advice.

 

[princesslibby]

You've gotten great advice already, I have to agree with Hwy 40 over Hwy 70. We are close to Exit 216 off 70 and I take 40 quite a bit. Hope you have a great trip.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Let me throw another monkey wrench out there for you 40/70 folks. I come in 44, and for me the easiest route to 64 East is to take 270 South to 255, and across the JB bridge avoiding downtown altogether.

Since OP is now coming in on 40, would it make sense to head South on 270, the way us 44 folks do, or would it be better to head downtown and take the Poplar Street Bridge?

 

[mamajoan]

Sorry mamajoan, we will have to agree to disagree. I grew up in North County. I had friends murdered in East St. Louis.

My brother had a coworker murdered there a few yrs ago.

Yes we will have to respectfully disagee on this one. However I should CLARIFY.. by stating NORTH ST.LOUIS. rather than NORTH COUNTY. MY COMPLETE ERROR!!
Both areas are in a rapid, violent state of decline. It is upsetting to turn on the news as it always leads with a murder of someone usually in one of those areas. I am sorry that you know people that were murdered there.

ESL has a lot of good things going on.
I also know many, many good families, upstanding people who came from or still reside in ESL.

sorry OP.. off topic.

Back to your trip planning! Have fun!