Route 66 St Louis stop

Husband and I are doing R66 in September and overnight in St Louis to see arch etc.

Rather than stay city centre we plan to stay Hampton Inn, Midamerica Lane (which should have us well placed for driving next day) and Uber in/out of the city. Is this a good plan? Thank you!

Your plan to stay at the Hampton Inn on Midamerica Lane while visiting St. Louis for Route 66 and the Arch is a reasonable approach, especially if you are prioritizing ease of departure the next morning for your road trip. This area is not downtown, so you will have a quieter stay and likely more affordable rates than city-center hotels.

Some considerations for your plan:

  • Uber or rideshare into downtown is convenient for visiting major attractions like the Gateway Arch, Citygarden, and Laclede's Landing. The ride will typically take 15–25 minutes depending on traffic.
  • Parking in downtown St. Louis can be challenging and expensive, so taking a ride-share can save both stress and cost.
  • If you plan to explore the downtown area in the evening, check the availability of late-night rides, as surge pricing may occur around popular events or weekends.

Alternative approaches:

  • Staying downtown near the Arch (e.g., near 4th Street or Union Station) would allow for walking access to most attractions, eliminating Uber costs, but would be more expensive and sometimes noisier.
  • Some visitors opt to park downtown for the day, explore on foot, and return to a hotel in a quieter suburb for the night, which is similar to your plan and works well.
  • If you prefer flexibility, renting a car for the overnight stay could let you drive in and out without relying on rideshare, but traffic and downtown parking may be a factor.

Overall, staying at Hampton Inn, Midamerica Lane, and using Uber for city trips is a practical and safe plan. You will have a quieter night, easy morning departure for your Route 66 journey, and minimal stress navigating downtown traffic and parking.


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