ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOX) – Summertime brings changes to traffic flow. The reduction in traffic with schools being out and more people taking vacations changes the worst times during the peak hours.

MoDOT traffic engineers are continuing efforts to improve Interstate 64 travel times by doing a monthly analysis of travel speeds. The worst times to travel during June have shifted from the first report provided in May.

With ever increasing, time-delaying congestion on the stretch of I-64 from Route 94 in St. Charles County to Spoede Road in St. Louis County, the report focuses on eastbound travel from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and the westbound travel from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Here are the results for the morning commute:

• Travel times begin to slow down between 7 and 7:30 a.m.
• The worst time to travel is between 7:30 and 8 a.m.
• Travel times don’t fully improve until after 8:30 a.m. especially at the slow down spot of eastbound I-64 between Route 141 and Mason Road.

Here are the results for the evening commute:

• Travel times begin to slow down between 4 and 5 p.m.
• The worst time to travel is between 5 and 5:45 p.m.
• Travel times don’t fully improve until after 6:15 p.m. especially at the Missouri River bridge, which has a reduced speed limit due to its narrow conditions.

“By knowing the worst time to travel, we are asking all I-64 drivers to consider adjusting their travel times to spread out the peak demand. By leaving 15 minutes earlier or waiting until closer to the end of the peak period, you could actually get to your destination faster,” said Tom Blair,MoDOT assistant district engineer. “It’s not feasible to widen the highway due to the extreme costs that it would entail, but we can all work together to spread out the demand on the road.”

Motorists should also consider using other major highways to travel east and west including Route 364 to the north and I-44 to the south. Carpooling and using mass transit are also encouraged to decrease congestion.

To see a full report on the I-64 travel analysis, visit www.modot.org/stlouis. The data represents normal conditions from June 1-10. Travel delays can be worse during inclement weather and as a result of crashes blocking lanes.

For real-time traffic information, visit MoDOT’s traffic site at www.gatewayguide.com.