Interstate 244 Missouri

I-244 Missouri

Overview

Interstate 244 was the former designation for the 20.0 mile long section of Interstate 270 (Circumferential Expressway) between I-55 and I-70. Designated in 1958 and completed in 1967,1 I-244 was renumbered as Interstate 270 in 1974 due to motorist confusion.2 The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) approved both the renumbering of I-244, and I-255 east from Mehlville into Illinois as I-270 on June 25, 1974:

I-244, I-255 and I-270 comprise essentially one continuous route which encircles the St. Louis Urban Area. The present points of change in route designation are confusing and seem pointless to motorists since no apparent change in direction occurs. Providing one route designation (I-270) will eliminate this problem and be in keeping with the principal of route continuity.

Posted by Vintage St. Louis & Route 66 on Friday, July 21, 2017

Route Information

  • North End – Bridgeton, MO

  • South End – Mehlville, MO

  • Mileage – 20.0

  • Cities – Kirkwood, Town and Country, Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights

  • Junctions – I-44 I-64 I-70 I-270

Source: May 23, 1974 AASHO Application for the Elimination of Interstate Routes 244 and 255 and the Extension of Interstate Route 270.

1974 map of St. Louis showing Interstate 244 in Missouri.

Interstate 244 in St. Louis County, Missouri – 1974 Gousha Missouri Map

Proposed Route – Springfield

A proposal made in 2013 by the city of Springfield, Missouri involved redesignating the James River Freeway (U.S. 60 and Missouri Route 360) and the freeway along U.S. 65 leading north to I-44 as Interstate 244. The rebranding was sought to attract new businesses and companies to Springfield while providing a continuous Interstate designated loop encircling the city.3 An estimated $500,000 to $2 million in funds would be needed to resign the route as an Interstate highway.4

Upgrades for U.S. 65 and the the James River Freeway to Interstate standards were still unfunded in 2017.5

North End I-70 I-270 – Bridgeton, Missouri

I-270 South at I-70

I-270 west at I-70 - Bridgeton, MO

Interstate 270 constitutes a busy commuter freeway through the St. Louis County suburbs south from I-70 at Bridgeton to Des Peres and Sunset Hills. Original construction of the Circumferential Expressway opened up vast tracts of land for suburban development. 10/16/04

I-270 west at I-70 - Bridgeton, MO

Exits 20A/B leave Interstate 270 south for I-70 from within the diamond interchange (Exit 20C) joining the beltway with Missouri Route 180 (St. Charles Rock Road). I-270 transitioned to Interstate 244 south just ahead. 10/16/04

I-270 west at I-70 - Bridgeton, MO

Single lane ramps separate from Exit 20 for Interstate 70 west to the St. Charles County suburbs and east back to St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL). 10/16/04

I-70 West at I-270

I-70 west at I-270 - Bridgeton, MO

Interstate 70 travels through the city of Bridgeton to the turbine interchange (Exit 232) with I-270. When Interstate 244 ended here, the exchange was a full cloverleaf. 10/16/04

I-70 west at I-270 - Bridgeton, MO

Interstate 270 curves northeast through Bridgeton to Hazelwood and Florissant. I-270 extends south from I-70 and Champ along former I-244 to Creve Coeur, Kirkwood and Sunset Hills. 10/16/04

I-70 west at I-270 - Bridgeton, MO

All traffic for Interstate 270 east toward Illinois and south to the I-55 corridor departs from I-70 west in unison at Exit 232. Work upgraded the interchange here in the early 1980s. 10/16/04

South End I-55 I-255 – Mehlville, Missouri

Interstate 244 ended where I-270, I-55 and I-255 converge near Mehlville. See the Interstate 270 Missouri / Illinois page for photos covering the cloverstack interchange joining the three routes.

Sources:

  1. “Two-Mile Stretch In St. Charles Paved Way For America’s Interstate System – Highways Shortened Drives But Weakened Cities.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, December 14, 2003.
  2. “I-255 Rim Means Loop Is Finished – For Now.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 31, 1988.
  3. “‘New’ interstate highway loop is planned for Springfield.” KY3 News, December 24, 2013.
  4. “Officials seek interstate loop around Springfield.” News-Leader (Springfield, MO), November 25, 2013.
  5. “President’s $200 billion infrastructure promise could benefit Missouri.” KY3 News (Springfield, MO), June 9, 2017.

Page updated July 21, 2021.