The pandemic settling down enough that it's looking like a pre-planned prairie dog shoot in 3 weeks is a go. So that has us driving through Louisville, St. Louis, & Kansas City. Hopefully our timing will have us doing all that in daylight & missing a rush hour in at least two of them. But.
I've personally seen enough things things in those places over the years, not to have me scared, but to be very cautious. We won't be stopping if we don't have to. But a break down or a missed exit can have you in a pinch pretty quick. Been there, and things are only hotter at the moment. I don't plan to be mistaken for Reginald Denny.
How well prepared would you be if making that trip?
I've been through St. Louis a few times in years past, but I don't remember the routes we took. I do remember if you look at the maps you can find routes that swing wide around it on state highways, many of which are divided four lane. You have to be willing to trade drive time for convenience or safety. Sometimes you don't sacrifice time by going around if there's a fender bender on the interstate closer to town.
As for avoiding inner city St. Louis, in the past I've exited 64 at 255 and crossed over the Mississippi from Illinois to Missouri at the bridge there. From there you'd just continue on on 270 then back on 64.
Avoid Illinois like the plague, and bypass St. Louis if at all possible. From your location, I'd drop down into Tennessee around Clarksville and cross the Mississippi river at Dyersburg, then find a way to travel around St. Louis to the west instead of going through the city at all. Interstate 55 approaches from the south, and there are several ways to make a wide loop around the St. L. metro area. Tennessee and Missouri are CCW-friendly areas- - - -Illinois isn't! Jerry
I pick up I- 70 in St Louis when I travel out west. I get there via I-64. It gets you through the city easy enough.
I never spend the night in St Louis, however. I drive past it and spend the night in Columbia, Missouri. From Central Kentucky to Columbia is a decent days drive. From Columbia I drive on it to Colorado the next day.
It sounds like there is a concern over something that is of statistical insignificance. Might I say you have a tiny glimpse of what certain aspects of life are like for many black people?
I was traveling through East St. Louis on business, trying to get out of there as quickly as possible, when I saw a young lady with a small child trying to change a flat tire on her car. When I stopped and backed up to her car, I could tell she was terrified, at least until she saw my veteran's ball cap and my gray hair. Since I carry a small floor jack and a battery-powered impact wrench for just such situations, I got us both back on the road in short order. Yes, I was packing, even if it is illegal on that side of the river! Jerry .
It sounds like there is a concern over something that is of statistical insignificance. Might I say you have a tiny glimpse of what certain aspects of life are like for many black people?
It’s statistically insignificant until it’s not & fortune favors the prepared.
Last I knew there is no “race” restriction on concealed carry licenses anywhere in the country.
I've studied maps & it's tempting to take back roads etc. but it could be a long trip. And I'm the only retired one with plenty of time on there hands. The leader of the four of us does despise Illinois politics & refuses to stop in the state there for anything. But sometimes you may not have a choice.
A trip using side routes would be a lot more enjoyable scenic wise, safer for sure. It would add a good bit of travel time or cut into the shoot. But I hear ya.
I stopped to get gas this morning.... a black guy was inside getting coffee...
Cant believe I survived to tell this story hahahahahaha
This website is fugging hysterical hahahahahaha the level of stupidity that I continue to read out of you twits is addicting. I keep coming back to see who can top who for the dumbass of the day award, and this one from the OP might win, though its early and Jag is still a member though taking his old man nap currently.... give it time
It sounds like there is a concern over something that is of statistical insignificance. Might I say you have a tiny glimpse of what certain aspects of life are like for many black people?
Shirley you jest ?
Miss the first sentence in my second paragraph ? "Seen personally" not cooked stats on a piece of paper.
It sounds like there is a concern over something that is of statistical insignificance. Might I say you have a tiny glimpse of what certain aspects of life are like for many black people?
Shirley you jest ?
Miss the first sentence in my second paragraph ? "Seen personally" not cooked stats on a piece of paper.
I wouldn't worry about it unless there's news of Interstate's being blocked in St Louis,...which is unlikely. The way the interstate is configured in Louisville and St Louis, you don't pass through much "city". You can see a bit of ghetto from I-70 going through St Louis, but you don't get very close to it. St Louis is one of the easier big cities to get through. Kansas City is a bit more troublesome. Louisville can get fairly backed up during certain hours of the day. But I haven't been there since they completed the improvements on I-64. Traffic might flow more easily now.
I appreciate the travel info, but I've been that route a couple dozen times. Alternative routes are appreciated as well.
I added a few disclaimers in the OP to try to avoid somebody blowing things up & trying to put words in my mouth like a bitch. I have Ejp1234 on ignore & since it was my thread, I decided to toggle & see what the gal had to say, she didn't let me down.
How well prepared would you be if making that trip?
I'm not going to ANY of those places on my next trip, or any major metro areas, but I'm packing my Glock and three mags...
For point of reference, does that help answer your question?
3 mags? you could get labeled as paranoid for packing that much ammo. I say tongue in cheek. Thank you for your take!
I've traveled pretty light in the past, live & let live, relaxed. But it seems to be prudent to bulk things up a bit, especially when I can't run near as fast as I used to.
FWIW, If you are transiting the state of Illinois, and are allowed lawfully to carry concealed in your state of residence, then you are also allowed to carry concealed in your vehicle as you drive through Illinois.
With few exceptions there is no lawful open carry in the state.
With the sole exception of L.E. there is no way to carry an uncased and/or loaded long arm in a vehicle, in Illinois.
Am not aware that it has been tried in court, but most authorities advise not to exit your vehicle armed, even for fuel and/or restroom stops.
Illinois' CCW permit is recognized by 28 states. Illinois does not recognize the CCW permit or right to carry of any other state, with the exception of transit-in-vehicle.
Illinois is a very long but relatively narrow state. East to west transit should be easy for most without a stop. No real reason under the law to detour or rethink your trip.
If a guy were to drive from Memphis to Milwaukee he'd be in Illinois for over 500 miles, by the shortest route. A trip well worth avoiding, but then the communities on either end are no Shangri-La either...
I have traveled that route many times and I actually lived right where I-64 and I-70 come together west of STL. I-64 runs the northern border of Louisville and most of it travels along NuLu and the touristy areas of downtown, so no real problem there. Coming through STL, stay on I-64. You will be through “downtown” in 10 minutes and into the affluent regions in no time. It is the North STL area along I-70 or the South along I-55 that are a bit more sketchy, but honestly, you probably don’t have to worry. KC is similar to STL in that you will be in the burbs much more than you will in the “city”. Once you cross the river you will be back in farm country pretty quick.
Our crew drives I-64 from Lexington to Louisville to St. Louis to pick up I-70 to KC every year enroute to Colorado 2nd rifle. Typically 8-12 guys in three trucks. Everyone is carrying. No issues with Illinois. Obey the speed limit. Drive like a sane person. Rock on. We typically do breakfast, pee stop, and top off tanks around Evansville, IN. And then non-stop thru Illinois and downtown St. Louis.
The pandemic settling down enough that it's looking like a pre-planned prairie dog shoot in 3 weeks is a go. So that has us driving through Louisville, St. Louis, & Kansas City. Hopefully our timing will have us doing all that in daylight & missing a rush hour in at least two of them. But.
I've personally seen enough things things in those places over the years, not to have me scared, but to be very cautious. We won't be stopping if we don't have to. But a break down or a missed exit can have you in a pinch pretty quick. Been there, and things are only hotter at the moment. I don't plan to be mistaken for Reginald Denny.
How well prepared would you be if making that trip?
Route your way around large concentrations of GREEN and ORANGE. Avoidance is your best course of action. And easier on your insurance: auto and health.
I would be sure to pack heat, both a shotgun and a handgun. And maybe some hand weapons like an axe handle and maybe a closet pole. Road flares are a good way to say, "Back off" especially after they start dripping that super-hot fluid.
Be sure to stay cognizant of where you are and the applicable laws.
I've been misplaced in the hood & it didn't seem as comical as Clark's vacation. And there no hooters as fine as Beverly Deangilo's till we got to the Boogie down Club in Denver.
They talk of the bug out bag & I was never interested as getting home would be my goal. We've seen this crap go on for days, & how long did Ferguson last, or expand?? To leave home if the SH was hittin the fan would be... dumb. But what if the SHTF while you were away from home??
That's called the get home package. That part is the important one to me.
This is the perfect scenario for the non livin in the woods for months, how to equip an urban get home bag.
My wife and I go into St Louis every couple months or so for over 30 years. I’m not a big city guy and not too fond of crowds but that is where the Cards and Blues play. Stay on the main roads and you should be fine.
Don't get off I-70 westbound when you see Blue Springs . Everything west into Wyandotte Co , Ks is [bleep] town . I live 80 miles southeast of KC and the crime is unreal . KCPD seems to have to run down [bleep] damn near daily . Yep . Its a [bleep] too .
Been an owner of said shovel for years now. Chop with it, throw it like a tomahawk, or simply dig a small hole. Thinking I've lent it to wifey for planting stuff & keeping her away from my Glock entrenching tool.
In any case, the bayonet isn't as important as it used to be. It's more usual now to go into the attack with hand-grenades and your entrenching tool. The sharpened spade is a lighter and more versatile weapon - not only can you get a man under the chin, but more to the point, you can strike a blow with a lot more force behind it. That's especially true if you can bring it down diagonally between the neck and the shoulder, because then you can split down as far as the chest.
My uncle was an Indiana Highway Patrolman back in the 1960s. He and my aunt (and their two kids, my cousins) came to visit us on Long Island (New York) back when he was a cop. I don't know if he didn't know he wasn't allowed to take his revolver along, or if he just didn't care, but he stuffed it in the glove compartment of the car when they drove up. On the way through NYC, he accidentally got off the highway exit, and they found themselves in the heart of the ghetto, just like Clark and his family. They eventually found their way back to the highway, but were quite glad they had the Magnum in the glove compartment while lost in the ghetto.
To the OP. Don’t know where you are in Kentucky, but if you take 24 up near Paducah, then take 60 west to Wickliffe, and on into MO, you are in IL for about five minutes. 60 in MO takes you directly to Springfield. From Springfield, take I-44 west to Joplin. Take 249 north to 171 west. 171 turns to 400 in Kansas and ends you up in Wichita. You can take 135 north from Wichita to hit 70 at Salina, or continue west on 400 to Pueblo, CO. Pretty much a straight line west for you. No major cities, deep red country about all the way. What you do at Wichita largely depends on where you want to get to. If you are worried about STL or KC, Denver would also be a concern. But once at Wichita, there are good roads to pretty much anywhere without needing to go through Denver.
A 21 year old hillbilly kid, from a county of 30k, i was driving a semi pulling 53 foot trailers. Consider the limitations of that. Carrying a weapon was not a possibility, I ran 48 states and Canada. Not only was a gun not allowed in the truck, but the commie places? No choices in where I went, time required shortest routes, 1991 meant no GPS nav. No idea what part of town my destination was, or my route.
Several times I slept at costumers, only to be told "No dam way I would spend the night here".
South side of Chicago, I slept. Didn't know the strip mall security was playing guardian angel all night. Projects 100 yards away, across light rail tracks. Kinda shook me the next morning when I saw it all.
But, I was never really threatened. Propositioned by a few skanks, offered some "good [bleep]" a few times. Hit up for money often, "man I haven't been home in2 weeks, im busted!" (Momma didnt raise a fool)
I think driving down the road, your biggest risk is a wreck. Drive like you have a brain, pay attention, you will be fine.
I didn't realise it was quite so dangerous driving through the USA. Coming from NOTB last December, we drove South through to Mexico. I thought the dangerous places were supposed to be places like Los Mochis or Culiacan in Sinaloa (El Chapo's old stomping ground). Needless to say, we drove 10,000 miles through all three countries and never had a problem. One cop in Puerto Vallarta tried to get me to pay a 'mordita', but I knew the drill and he realised it was going to be a waste of his time. We camped overnight at a truck stop in Los Mochis. The security guard there was very helpful and assured my wife the city was perfectly safe.
We also overnighted at rest stops along I-5 and at a trailhead just outside Shasta city. I think that was our most dangerous stop - it dropped down to 23 degrees that night - a guy could freeze to death if he didn't have blankets (especially after acclimatising to the warm winter in Mexico). We're looking forward to doing a big road trip across the USA some time in the future. Right now the exchange rate's not in our favour so it will have to be another time. We always enjoyed our previous road trips in your very friendly and scenic country. Many times folks questioned why we would be driving without a firearm. If you go to Mexico they aren't allowed at all and even a single round of ammo can land you in jail. In the USA I've never had a problem, nor has anyone I know.
I will often take a hour detour while traveling to avoid a big city. Not because I am scared " I have been in all the major [bleep] in the US" but because all it takes it one wreck or construction zone to cost you 4 or 5 hours of sitting in traffic. Plus my blood pressure stays lower driving country roads then it does big city roads.
I was once escorted out of a bad part of Chicago by the Police. I was hauling a Mercedes dealer trade car and had taken the wrong exit and was trying to get back onto I-55 driving thru the hood. Cop pulled me over and asked me what I was doing. He had me follow him to the Interstate. Said he was surprised I had made it as far as I did. Probably the most crappy city I can remember is Gary Indiana it was and i am sure still is a wasteland.
I pick up I- 70 in St Louis when I travel out west. I get there via I-64. It gets you through the city easy enough.
I never spend the night in St Louis, however. I drive past it and spend the night in Columbia, Missouri. From Central Kentucky to Columbia is a decent days drive. From Columbia I drive on it to Colorado the next day.
I have to travel thru there a couple times a year, and Bristoe's got it nailed. It's not a bad drive, provided you time it right. Stay on I-64 until it merges with I-70 near Lake St. Louis. KC isn't much different, stay on the highway, button down and drive straight thru the place. If you have no reason to stop, don't stop, just keep on going. Gas up well before you get "urban" and keep on keepin' on.
It's been a good while since I've been that way but the last few times I drove west through Illinois on I-64 there were several highway patrol cars parked out of sight behind islands of brushy growth in the middle of the median set-up as I suppose speed traps.
I drive through Memphis, St Louis and KC all the time.
Your bigger concern should be getting hit while driving.
Much more probable.
This is the most accurate comment in the whole thread.
I drive defensibly & alert. Might wear a seat belt. Have insurance, both liability & comprehensive, Ha! including glass breakage. Some vehicles may include a fire extinguisher for other "concerns" that might be mounting. These things are covered every day of every year.
Is what is going on right now, every day, every year???????????????? Not talking about fender benders. But possibly dealing with irrational phuquing freaks.