Drive like a native.

Melissa Jensen
4833 days ago.

I once spent an hour driving up and down Kirkwood Road trying desperately to figure out where I had left Lindbergh I must have missed a sign somewhere.  This was almost 8 years ago and in the time since then I have learned to drive St. Louis like a native, or my small town person’s interpretation of a native.

st louis map

  1. If you are traveling to Illinois via 44 there is no need to get into the exit only lane when the line starts.  The proper thing is to wait until you spot a semi that has an opening in front of it, slam on your breaks and cut in.
  2. Never ever make a complete stop at a stop sign.  You will only anger the driver behind you and possibly even cause a rear end collision.  (This happened to me and the woman’s defense was “I don’t know why she stopped”).
  3. Even though technically 64 runs all the way through St. Louis, you will out yourself as being from Illinois if you try and tell someone the Galleria is off 64.  It’s not, it’s off 40.
  4. Despite the fact that you are traveling due east toward Illinois on 270, you are not on 270 east you are on 270 north.  This road seems to make an almost complete circle around the city.
  5. If there is a single drop of rain during rush hour you must immediately reduce your speed by at least 30 miles an hour.  This rule does not apply to snow, if there is snow continue at your normal speed until you careen off the road.
  6. The best way to navigate 70 seems to be slamming several highly caffeinated drinks then accelerating as fast as you can while weaving in and out of traffic.
  7. The center lane is reserved for drivers who are not sure where they are going.  It is acceptable to pass them on either the left or the right.

I’m sure there are many more helpful tips that I am missing.  I’d love you hear your thoughts or strange experiences from fellow transplants.

All native driving tips are in good fun – please drive safely and follow the rules of the road!

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Melissa Jensen

Melissa is a native of the Greater St. Louis region. She is addicted to anything Google, and cannot understand why motion activated paper towel dispensers never see her hands.

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