Fastest way to get through Indy going from St. Louis to Columbus, OH (Indianapolis: construction, food)

[ajf131]

Hi there. I'm going to be taking Interstate 70 east from St. Louis to Columbus in a few weeks and I wanted to know which is normally the best route to take through the city. I've noticed on the map that I-465 is only two miles longer than I-70 in the Indy metro area...but I'm not sure what type of traffic it contains...I've heard it's bad...basically is it better to go through downtown or use the bypass route discounting the extra mileage? Input from Indy natives would be helpful. Thanks.

[benjaminooo]

There is construction on 70 currently, but it shouldn't be too bad if you're not going through during rush hour. If you take 465 take the southern route, it's much shorter and there is a a lot less traffic

[sweetana3]

Ditto. The only time I70 straight thru is a concern is the two short rush hour periods. Watch for traffic cops in the mid section and dont even think about taking it in an 18 wheel truck. They are banned right now due to construction and there are ALWAYS state police at the end to cite them with the minimum $500 ticket.

We still take I70 from downtown to get to the North side when we need to go.

[ajf131]

Originally Posted by sweetana3

Ditto. The only time I70 straight thru is a concern is the two short rush hour periods. Watch for traffic cops in the mid section and dont even think about taking it in an 18 wheel truck. They are banned right now due to construction and there are ALWAYS state police at the end to cite them with the minimum $500 ticket.

We still take I70 from downtown to get to the North side when we need to go.

Thanks. Is I-70 straight through a popular trucking route anyway even when it's not under construction? I would imagine no...looking at photos the interchange looks very narrow and it seems like if I were a trucker in an 18-wheeler I'd just go ahead and add the extra 2 miles....no difference in the long run...just 2 more minutes..

[sweetana3]

Only 2 miles shorter just doesnt sound right. I70 is almost a straight line from west to east. I465 goes down on the west side, has the same distance across the south side and then goes up past I74 and Washington Street before you get to I70. Measurements dont sound right.

[ShadowCaver]

Interesting, as we travel from the FtW area to StL quite often, and if there is a shorter, more convenient route to get around Indy, that would be great! No offense to Indy itself, as it is a very good city, but good grief - there is either an accident, construction, or major delay due to traffic on quite few occasions. Part of the problem is that you have the city traffic itself with the added burden of those commuting within the metropolitan area from the 'burbs and then those of us on interstates merging with other interstate traffic loads. FWIW, overall have found the lower I-465 loop the easiest, and on average maybe 5 minutes slower than I-70 - except for the times when I-65 south bound will be getting a lot of traffic, which backs up those going west on I-465. BTW, at mile marker 4 on that lower route, have found fuel to be less expensive at 3 of the stations there - fairly convenient on/off, plus couple fast food joints nearby.

[ajf131]

Originally Posted by sweetana3

Only 2 miles shorter just doesnt sound right. I70 is almost a straight line from west to east. I465 goes down on the west side, has the same distance across the south side and then goes up past I74 and Washington Street before you get to I70. Measurements dont sound right.

Well the map shows I-465 to number 19 miles from one end of I-70 to the other. I-70 from one end of I-465 to the other is 17 miles.

[ajf131]

Originally Posted by sweetana3

Only 2 miles shorter just doesnt sound right. I70 is almost a straight line from west to east. I465 goes down on the west side, has the same distance across the south side and then goes up past I74 and Washington Street before you get to I70. Measurements dont sound right.

I-70 is a straight line east of Indianapolis. West of it runs a bit diagonally.

[sweetana3]

For those still interested, I70 is being restricted to one lane for part of the reconstruction right now. Traffic a mess.

[ajf131]

Originally Posted by sweetana3

For those still interested, I70 is being restricted to one lane for part of the reconstruction right now. Traffic a mess.

Sounds like the southern and eastern sections of I-465 is the way to go then for I-70 traffic traveling through Indy.