Route 66: The Westbound Route Out
Of St. Louis


	Various alignments slice through St. Louis. I avoided the mess by re-joining the route at I-55 & Gravois--the route recommended by EZ66 author Jerry McClanahan. Route 66 follows Gravois (MO Rte. 30), then Chippewa (MO Rte. 366), which turns into Watson (still 366). Eventually you run into I-44 and US 67. Be careful following the turn signs for Historic 66--in one spot, the sign indicated a hard turn, when in reality I should have just veered to the right.


	If you're not following Route 66, then take the fast route: Interstate 55.

As you make your way out of St. Louis on Route 66, you'll pass through several old neighborhoods. I had heard that South St. Louis was an area to be avoided, but I didn't feel unsafe here. There wasn't much to stop for, until I saw a towering old church, looming 300 feet tall over the route.

You can't miss the beautiful old St. Francis de Sales Church, dedicated in 1908. Known to locals as the Cathedral of South St. Louis, the church is located on Gravois at Ohio Avenue.

Beyond the church, the old route remains in an area that's home to a working class population. Take it slow, watch for the traffic lights, and enjoy this (sub)urban part of Route 66.

Since I had started my day early, it was still morning as I drove through. That made it too early to stop for ice cream at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, a Route 66 business that's been on the Mother Road since 1941.

Use the "Next" box below to follow me to the next stop on this trip, or the Route 66 East/West links to follow the Mother Road.

Times Beach & Route 66 State Park		Downtown St. Louis

	Downtown St. Louis - The Gateway Arch	Route 66 State Park - Times Beach		Missouri Attractions Map Research Missouri Hotels Free Travel Brochures

Chain of Rocks Bridge Across the Mississippi River

World's Largest Catsup (Ketchup) Bottle

Cahokia Indian Mounds

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