Road Trip Pitstops: Evansville to St. Louis Edition

From My Old Hometown To My New Hometown

If you’ve been listening for a bit, you probably already know—I’m not originally from Evansville. I’m a Southern Illinois girl, from a small town not too far from St. Louis. That means when the holidays roll around, there’s a lot of back-and-forth driving for me and my folks between Evansville and the St. Louis area.

Car Rides Over Airports Anyday

Now, I’ll admit it: I’m a road trip kind of person. Give me a good playlist, a cup of coffee, and my favorite radio station (wink, wink), and I’ll take the highway over the airport any day. There’s just something about having the freedom to pull over, explore a small town, or find that one gas station that always feels familiar.

My Families I-64 Must Haves

So if you’re like me and don’t mind hopping on I-64 west toward St. Louis, here are a few pitstops worth adding to your next trip. Take my parents for example! They love to drive all over the country and take their furry friend with them. With that they have mastered the pet friendly spots and yummy food grabs to make the drive more comfortable.

Woodland, Illinois

My first go-to stop is the Shell station in Woodlawn. It’s about halfway between Evansville and St. Louis, making it a perfect spot to stretch your legs and fill up your tank. It’s clean, easy to get to, and somehow always has good road trip snacks in stock.

Mount Vernon, Illinois

This one’s a classic. Mount Vernon is the true halfway mark on I-64, and it’s packed with options. My parents like to stop at the Circle K off Broadway, and if hunger hits, there’s a Sonic right next door that’s a family favorite. You’ll also find a bunch of fast food chains, clean restrooms, and even a few grassy patches if you’ve got a pet that needs a quick walk.

Nashville, Illinois

A little further west, the exit for Nashville is worth a look. There’s a Casey’s (and if you know, you know—Casey’s pizza is elite road trip food). It’s a good stretch break and usually less busy than Mount Vernon.

Okawville, Illinois

This is one of those small-town gems. Okawville is home to the Original Springs Hotel and Mineral Spa—yes, a real mineral spa! It’s a quirky stop if you’ve got a little extra time or just want to say you’ve been there.

Centralia/Fairfield Area

Depending on which exit you take, there are a few local diners and coffee spots that make for a good breakfast or lunch stop. Locals swear by some of the mom-and-pop spots you’ll find just off the main road.

Getting Closer to The Arch

And of course, once you’re closer to St. Louis, you can make your final stop in O’Fallon or Fairview Heights, both have tons of restaurants, shopping, and gas stations if you need one last pitstop before hitting the city traffic.

Your Next Bucket List On 64

So next time you’re heading west on 64, don’t just make it about the destination. Make it about the drive your playlist, your people, and maybe even a few new pitstops along the way.

Get our free mobile app