Winter driving in St. Louis can change quickly. A morning commute that begins on wet pavement can turn into a difficult trip when temperatures fall, while a snowstorm can leave major highways relatively manageable but neighborhood streets covered in packed snow and ice. Freezing rain, sleet, refreezing after sunset, and rapidly changing pavement temperatures are often more important to local drivers than the total amount of snow.
That makes preparation especially important. Before leaving home, drivers should check current road conditions, understand which roads receive treatment first, know how bridges and overpasses behave during freezing weather, and have an alternative transportation plan when conditions become hazardous. Never start a winter commute in St. Louis without checking whether a St. Louis winter storm warning today is active and reviewing the latest official road information.
St. Louis sits in a part of Missouri where winter weather can vary substantially from one storm to another. Snow is only one concern. Freezing rain and sleet can create a layer of ice that is much more difficult to manage than several inches of dry snow. Temperatures near the freezing point can also create repeated cycles of melting and refreezing.
Drivers should pay particular attention when temperatures are around 32 degrees Fahrenheit. MoDOT notes that driving can be especially dangerous around this temperature because moisture can freeze on road surfaces and conditions can change rapidly.
The metropolitan area also combines interstate highways, busy arterial streets, steep urban streets, suburban roads, bridges and lightly traveled residential streets. A road that appears mostly clear in one neighborhood may be slippery only a few miles away.
One of the most useful habits for winter drivers is checking conditions immediately before a trip rather than relying on an earlier forecast. MoDOT's Traveler Information Map provides current road-condition information and identifies major routes according to conditions such as clear, mostly clear, partly covered, covered or closed. MoDOT also provides 24-hour customer service at 1-888-ASK-MODOT for road-condition information.
For a St. Louis commute, check conditions along the entire route. For example, someone traveling from St. Charles County toward downtown should not only check the destination. The condition of the western portions of I-70, bridge approaches, downtown ramps and surface streets can all affect the trip.
The City of St. Louis also maintains information about designated snow routes. These routes receive special attention during snow and ice events, making them useful corridors when planning a route through the city.
No single highway in St. Louis is automatically dangerous every time snow falls. Risk depends on pavement temperature, precipitation type, traffic volume, visibility, treatment progress and crashes. However, several major corridors deserve particular attention because they carry heavy traffic and include bridges, ramps, interchanges and frequent lane changes.
I-70 is one of the region's major east-west travel corridors and can become particularly challenging during storms because of its heavy traffic volume. Vehicles traveling at different speeds can create sudden braking situations when lanes become slick.
Watch carefully near interchanges, ramps and bridges. Avoid abrupt lane changes and leave considerably more space than you normally would between your vehicle and the car ahead.
I-64/US 40 carries substantial commuter traffic through the St. Louis area. During snow or freezing rain, congestion can compound the underlying road hazard. A minor crash or disabled vehicle can quickly reduce available lanes.
Drivers should be especially cautious when approaching ramps and elevated sections. Do not assume that a road is safe simply because traffic is moving at normal speed.
I-44 connects western portions of the metropolitan area with downtown St. Louis. Its combination of higher-speed traffic, curves, ramps and interchanges requires additional caution during storms. Drivers should reduce speed before entering curves instead of braking sharply while already turning.
I-55 is another important north-south corridor. Winter crashes on a high-volume interstate can create secondary hazards as approaching drivers encounter stopped or slowing traffic. Keep headlights on, increase following distance and watch several vehicles ahead rather than focusing only on the vehicle immediately in front.
These routes are important suburban connectors and can experience rapidly changing conditions. MoDOT's St. Louis winter operations specifically include major routes such as I-170, I-270 and Route 364 in its Motorist Assist coverage.
Interchanges are particularly important. A driver may encounter treated pavement on one portion of an interchange and untreated or refrozen pavement on another. Slow down before ramps and avoid accelerating aggressively while turning.
Instead of relying on a list of permanently “dangerous” intersections, St. Louis drivers should understand which types of locations become hazardous first. Busy intersections can become slick because vehicles repeatedly accelerate and brake in the same area. Snow can also accumulate in turning lanes and around curb lines.
Hill routes deserve particular attention. Starting from a complete stop on an icy incline can be difficult even for vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive. If a route includes a steep hill, consider an alternate major road when conditions are poor.
Ramps can also be deceptive. Drivers often reduce speed too late when entering an icy curve. Brake before the turn, maintain a gentle steering input and avoid sudden acceleration.
Bridges and overpasses generally freeze before ordinary road surfaces because cold air can circulate above and below the pavement. This is one of the most important winter-driving facts for St. Louis motorists.
The Mississippi River crossings deserve particular caution because they are exposed elevated structures. The Gateway Arch area and downtown riverfront connections, as well as major interstate bridges, can become slippery when temperatures fall. The same principle applies to bridges over highways and rail corridors throughout the metropolitan area.
Missouri transportation officials specifically warn drivers that bridges and overpasses can freeze first. Drivers should slow down before entering a bridge, avoid sudden braking and leave additional following distance. Do not pass another vehicle while approaching or crossing an icy bridge.
Bridge approaches can also be problematic. A driver may encounter pavement that looks wet but is actually coated with transparent ice. If the steering suddenly feels unusually light or the tires begin to lose grip, avoid panic braking. Ease off the accelerator and make smooth steering corrections.
Understanding the plowing system helps explain why some roads improve sooner than others. MoDOT uses a priority system for state-maintained roads. Interstates and higher-volume highways receive the highest priority, with plowing and treatment continuing throughout the storm until the main routes are brought back toward normal conditions.
Lower-volume state routes receive subsequent attention. Crews work to make them passable and apply salt or abrasives where needed, including hills, curves and intersections.
In the St. Louis region, MoDOT has more than 200 snow-removal trucks equipped with plows, wing plows, salt-brine systems and rock-salt spreaders. The region maintains thousands of lane miles of state-owned interstate and numbered or lettered routes.
This does not mean every road will be completely clear while snow is still falling. Snowplows may need to make repeated passes over the same highway, and crews may have to return after the storm to clean shoulders, bridge edges and interchanges.
The City of St. Louis uses a separate snow and ice response system for city streets. Its designated snow routes include arterial, secondary and hill routes. The city maintains an interactive snow-route map and an alphabetical list of streets included in the system.
The city has also adopted a tiered response plan. Under the current plan, snow routes may be pretreated approximately 12 hours before a storm when conditions make pretreatment practical. The city may avoid salt-solution pretreatment when significant rain is expected or when temperatures are below the effective range for the solution.
During a storm, main routes receive attention before lower-priority streets. Crews then work on intersections, school entrances and other problem areas. Residential streets may take longer, especially during a major storm.
That means drivers should not assume that a residential street will be treated simply because the nearby arterial is clear.
Salt, brine and other treatments help control snow and ice, but they do not eliminate winter hazards immediately. Heavy snowfall can overwhelm treatment efforts, while freezing rain can continue creating ice faster than crews can remove it.
St. Louis crews use salt brine, conventional salt and magnesium or calcium chloride products as part of their winter response. Treatment strategies vary according to temperature and precipitation.
Drivers should therefore treat a freshly salted road as a road requiring caution, not as a completely dry road. Packed snow can remain between tire tracks, and ice can persist around bridges, intersections and shaded areas.
One of the easiest ways to reduce winter-road risk is to stay away from snowplows. MoDOT advises drivers to avoid passing plows and to remain well behind them. Plow operators have limited visibility, and trucks can spread salt, brine and other material across several lanes.
A large plow formation can occupy multiple lanes. If you encounter one on I-70, I-64, I-44, I-55 or another major route, do not attempt to squeeze between trucks.
Instead, slow down and allow the crew to clear the roadway. The pavement behind a working plow is generally in better condition than pavement ahead of it.
When driving conditions deteriorate, public transportation can be a practical alternative. Metro Transit operates MetroBus and MetroLink throughout the St. Louis region. Metro also operates Call-A-Ride service for eligible riders.
However, public transit is not immune to winter weather. Metro Transit says snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice can cause delays, particularly for buses traveling on slippery roads. Service generally continues during winter weather unless conditions become hazardous enough to require temporary suspension.
MetroLink can offer an alternative to some road trips because trains are not affected by highway traffic in the same way as buses. However, severe ice can affect overhead electrical equipment and track switches, so riders should check service alerts before leaving home.
If using MetroBus, leave extra time to reach the stop because sidewalks can be icy. Do not run for a bus or train on a slippery platform. Check real-time service information before starting the trip and expect possible delays during severe weather.
Parking can directly interfere with snow removal. The City of St. Louis advises residents not to park on designated snow routes when a storm is forecast. Plows need enough space to clear the roadway, and parked cars can leave large areas of snow in the travel lane.
The city advises that if a vehicle must be parked on a snow route, it should be no more than 12 inches from the curb. Vehicles positioned farther from the curb or interfering with traffic can be subject to towing.
Do not treat a snow route as an ordinary parking location during a winter storm. Moving the vehicle before the storm gives plow crews room to work and reduces the chance that your car will become buried by pushed snow.
Parking rules can vary between the City of St. Louis and surrounding municipalities. Drivers in St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Jefferson County or Illinois communities should check the rules for the specific jurisdiction where the vehicle is parked.
For ordinary passenger vehicles, Missouri does not generally require every driver to install winter or snow tires simply because winter has arrived. However, drivers remain responsible for operating their vehicles safely and obeying any applicable restrictions or traffic-control requirements.
Winter tires can still be useful for drivers who regularly travel during snow and ice events. They are designed to maintain traction at lower temperatures and can provide advantages over worn or poorly performing all-season tires.
Tire chains are not something most St. Louis passenger-vehicle drivers need for routine winter commuting. Drivers should never assume that chains are automatically appropriate on every road. If authorities establish specific traction requirements or restrictions, follow the posted instructions and applicable regulations.
Missouri law also restricts the use of studded tires during part of the year. Current state law prohibits operating a motor vehicle with tires containing metal or carbide studs on Missouri roads between April 1 and November 1, subject to the statute's provisions.
Regardless of tire type, tread condition matters. Before winter begins, inspect tread depth, check tire pressure and look for damage. Cold temperatures reduce tire pressure, so check tires when they are cold and follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure.
Winter driving requires smoother inputs rather than simply slower speeds. Accelerate gently, brake gradually and steer smoothly. Sudden movements can cause a vehicle to lose traction.
Increase following distance substantially. A vehicle that stops normally on dry pavement may need much more space on packed snow or ice.
When approaching an intersection, begin slowing earlier than usual. Avoid hard acceleration when the light turns green. If tires spin, ease off the accelerator instead of pressing harder.
For downhill sections, reduce speed before beginning the descent. Do not depend entirely on the brakes to control speed on an icy hill.
If your vehicle begins to skid, stay calm. Take your foot off the accelerator and steer gently in the direction you want the vehicle to travel. Avoid violent steering corrections and hard braking.
A winter emergency kit can make a major difference if a vehicle becomes disabled. St. Louis drivers should consider carrying:
Keep the fuel tank reasonably full before a major storm. If traffic stops for an extended period, having adequate fuel gives you more flexibility to keep the vehicle warm while waiting for help.
If your vehicle becomes disabled on a major St. Louis highway, move as far onto the shoulder as safely possible, activate your hazard lights and call for assistance. MoDOT's Motorist Assist program patrols several major St. Louis-area interstates and can provide roadside assistance.
Do not stand outside your vehicle on an interstate unless there is an immediate emergency requiring you to leave. Other drivers may lose control on the same icy roadway.
If you are stopped because of traffic rather than a mechanical problem, conserve fuel and remain alert to official instructions. Keep your exhaust pipe clear of snow if the vehicle is running, especially when surrounded by accumulating snow.
Winter driving safety in St. Louis is less about mastering one particular highway and more about recognizing changing conditions. Major interstates may be treated continuously, but conditions can still deteriorate during heavy precipitation. Bridges and overpasses can freeze before surrounding pavement, intersections can become polished by repeated braking, and residential streets can remain snow-covered after major routes have been cleared.
Before traveling, check official road-condition information and weather alerts. Give snowplows plenty of room, avoid unnecessary trips during severe storms, and consider MetroBus or MetroLink when they provide a practical alternative. If you must drive, slow down, increase following distance and prepare your vehicle before winter weather arrives.
Most importantly, remember that a road being officially open does not mean it is dry or risk-free. Conditions can change from block to block and minute to minute. A cautious driver who checks the route, understands St. Louis snow-removal priorities and leaves extra time has a much better opportunity to handle whatever winter weather brings to the region.
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