MRI in St. Louis — Driving from the I-64 East (Illinois) Corridor
From Belleville or O'Fallon you're about 35 minutes from the clinic. Don't cut through downtown — cross the river on the Jefferson Barracks Bridge via I-255 south, join I-270 north, and take Exit 2. Toll-free the whole way, and the scan is a flat $399, no insurance needed.
How Far Is It?
For Illinois drivers, the fastest way into St. Louis is across the Jefferson Barracks Bridge — not through downtown. From the metro-east towns it's a 30-to-40-minute drive; from Mount Vernon and Effingham it's a manageable one-to-two-hour trip. Every route below is toll-free.
| Origin | Approx. miles | Approx. time | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| O'Fallon IL | 32 mi | 35–42 min | I-255 S (Jefferson Barracks) → I-270 N → Exit 2 |
| Belleville | 29 mi | ~36 min | I-255 S (Jefferson Barracks) → I-270 N → Exit 2 |
| Fairview Heights | 29 mi | 35–40 min | I-255 S (Jefferson Barracks) → I-270 N → Exit 2 |
| Mount Vernon IL | 93 mi | ~1h40 | I-64 W → I-255 S (Jefferson Barracks) → I-270 N → Exit 2 |
| Effingham | 116 mi | ~2 hr | I-57 S → I-64 W → I-255 S (Jefferson Barracks) → I-270 N → Exit 2 |
A few honest caveats:
- O'Fallon IL: About 32 miles via I-255 south and I-270 north; typically 35–42 minutes, but allow an extra 10–15 minutes if you hit I-270 rush hour.
- Mount Vernon IL: Roughly 93 miles on I-64 and I-255; usually about 1 hour 40 minutes, though long-distance drives can run 15–20 minutes longer or shorter depending on traffic and weather.
- Effingham: Roughly 116 miles on I-57 and I-64; usually about 2 hours, though long-distance drives can run 15–20 minutes longer or shorter depending on traffic and weather.
Route & Parking
Sunset Hills Imaging is one location — 12152 Tesson Ferry Road in St. Louis. Here's how to get here from the Illinois side.
Illinois drivers: don't cut through downtown St. Louis on I-64. The faster, toll-free route is I-255 south across the Jefferson Barracks Bridge, then I-270 north to Exit 2 — it keeps you off the downtown interstates entirely.
- 01
Cross at the Jefferson Barracks Bridge
Take I-255 south across the Jefferson Barracks Bridge into Missouri.
- 02
Join I-270 north
At the I-270 / I-55 / I-255 junction, take I-270 north.
- 03
Take Exit 2
I-270 Exit 2 (MO-21 / Tesson Ferry Road) is the clinic’s exit, about a mile north of the address.
- 04
Final turns
From the exit, head south on Tesson Ferry Road, turn right on Gerald Drive, then right on Merito Drive to 12152.
- 05
Park at the door
Free on-site parking right at the clinic entrance.
I-270 through the south county stretch backs up during weekday peak hours, so add 10–20 minutes if you're arriving then. Every route above is toll-free, and parking is free on site.
Why It's Worth the Trip
One flat price across the board
Cross the Jefferson Barracks Bridge or drive across town, every non-contrast scan is$399. There's no facility fee, no separate radiologist bill, and no insurance required.
No contrast, no prep
No IV, no dye, no prep. Bring your doctor's order and you're done.
Report in 24–48 hours
A board-certified radiologist reads your scan, and the report goes to your provider within two business days.
Toll-free route, free parking
The bridge and every route above are toll-free, and parking on site is free. The$399 flat rate is all you pay.
Even from Mount Vernon or Effingham, the drive is a manageable one to two hours — and at a flat $399, it's often less than a closer hospital's estimate. A doctor's order is required for the scan; same-day appointments are often available, so call(314) 834-7226 and we'll find a slot that fits the drive across the river.
New to MRIs? See what to expect during your scan.
What to Expect When You Get Here
We're at 12152 Tesson Ferry Road in St. Louis, with free on-site parking. Bring your doctor's order — fax it to (314) 804-7226, email Sunset@moimaging.com, or bring a printed copy. Scans are non-contrast with no prep, most take about 25 minutes, and you're free to leave when they're done. The report goes to your provider within 24–48 hours.
What to Request
All of our scans are non-contrast studies at one flat $399, no insurance needed and a doctor's order required. Start with the body part below.
Back pain, disc problems, sciatica
Covers the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, plus sacrum, coccyx, pelvis, and SI joints — the most common scans we do.
Knee, hip, ankle, and foot pain
Meniscus and ligament tears, arthritis, stress fractures, and tendon injuries. Choose the correct side when you book.
Shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand
Rotator cuff tears, tendonitis, carpal tunnel workups, and joint pain. Choose the correct side when you book.
Headaches, MS workups, TMJ
Brain, orbits, IAC, pituitary, and TMJ studies — all non-contrast, like everything we scan.
The Drive Is Worth It — $399, Flat
Toll-free route, no insurance needed, radiologist report in 24–48 hours.