Moving, rush hour traffic options (St. Louis: home, income, income tax)

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Hi all, we're going a cross country move soon that will take us across St. Louis around the morning rush hour (according to plan anyway). We will be coming in on I-70 East and heading south on 55. It looks like 64 and 275 will connect them. Are they terrible at rush hour? I'll be driving a big moving van, wife towing a small trailer.

Thanks in advance. Looked at alternative routes that drop south of SL a little further west, but it looks like they add a bunch of time.

[photobuff42]

I think you mean 270? Take 270. 64 is terrible during the morning rush.

[STL74]

270 has some of the worst rush hour traffic in St. Louis and 64 has been lighter since covid. However 70 or 64 (I'd probably do 64 as I find it easier to navigate) to 270 south to 55 is really your only way around. Our rush hour is short here though (like about 8-9) and really not bad at all compared to other metros this size. If you offset your time just a little, you will likely miss the worst of it. 55 South is a really pretty drive.

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by photobuff42

I think you mean 270? Take 270. 64 is terrible during the morning rush.

Oops, you are correct (270). Thanks for the input.

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by STL74

270 has some of the worst rush hour traffic in St. Louis and 64 has been lighter since covid. However 70 or 64 (I'd probably do 64 as I find it easier to navigate) to 270 south to 55 is really your only way around. Our rush hour is short here though (like about 8-9) and really not bad at all compared to other metros this size. If you offset your time just a little, you will likely miss the worst of it. 55 South is a really pretty drive.

Thanks, and glad to hear rush hour isn't that long. If we can stand it, we'll drive through the 2nd night long after rush hour. But I doubt we'll be up for that long a drive. We're moving from Idaho to East Tennessee, 2 days of slightly less than 900 miles will put us shy of St. Louis. Otherwise will do as you suggest. We should be able to be through before 8 if everything goes according to plan.

[CrownVic95]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

Thanks, and glad to hear rush hour isn't that long. If we can stand it, we'll drive through the 2nd night long after rush hour. But I doubt we'll be up for that long a drive. We're moving from Idaho to East Tennessee, 2 days of slightly less than 900 miles will put us shy of St. Louis. Otherwise will do as you suggest. We should be able to be through before 8 if everything goes according to plan.

What prompted this decision? I thought you loved it up there.

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by CrownVic95

What prompted this decision? I thought you loved it up there.

I do, it's a tough decision. A number of factors. First I'm an avid motorcyclist-and my driveway is covered in ice from Thanksgiving until March most years. The area is beautiful...but sadly many summers the area is covered in wildfire smoke, making any kind of outdoor activities...not much fun, to say nothing of the risk of losing everything. Our housing prices have gone nuts, we were able to sell our home here and significantly supplement our retirement investment income. Summers in TN (well, at least this summer) is significantly cooler than Idaho as well (though I don't know how we'll tolerate the humidity). And finally, no state income tax in TN. All of these reasons played into it. We found a place within a National Forest-looks like Idaho, but with broadleaf trees. And politically both states are similar. "Patron state of shootin' stuff" and all.

[CrownVic95]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

I do, it's a tough decision. A number of factors. First I'm an avid motorcyclist-and my driveway is covered in ice from Thanksgiving until March most years. The area is beautiful...but sadly many summers the area is covered in wildfire smoke, making any kind of outdoor activities...not much fun, to say nothing of the risk of losing everything. Our housing prices have gone nuts, we were able to sell our home here and significantly supplement our retirement investment income. Summers in TN (well, at least this summer) is significantly cooler than Idaho as well (though I don't know how we'll tolerate the humidity). And finally, no state income tax in TN. All of these reasons played into it. We found a place within a National Forest-looks like Idaho, but with broadleaf trees. And politically both states are similar. "Patron state of shootin' stuff" and all.

Well, I can well understand about the fires. The fires have ruined life quality in much of the west for months nearly every year now. But cooler than northern Idaho? There may well be days like that, but overall, season-long, I'd have trouble believing Tennessee is as cool, much less nearly as comfortable as northern Idaho.

I'm amazed at the numbers of people moving to Tennessee these days. I know Bay Area people who have as well. I would think housing prices are on their way up fast there.

I've been here lots longer than I ever thought I would be due to a strange and unforeseen set of circumstances. For the foreseeable future, my living standard would go down if I moved.

Anyway, best of luck to you.