Getting Around Rolla Without Guesswork

Missouri University of Science and Technology is one of Rolla’s key destinations. You can use the Missouri University of Science and Technology visitor guide to plan time around campus.

Rolla’s city centre and Missouri S&T are both about 4 minutes by car from the motel.

Walking is one way to reach the city centre and Missouri S&T from the motel. Allow about 30 minutes on foot to the centre and about 33 minutes on foot to campus. These are travel times from Rustic Motel Rolla; the distances make walking a longer option than driving for either trip.

For downtown destinations, the Rolla Downtown visitor guide offers more detail on the area.

Driving takes about 4 minutes from the motel to either Rolla’s city centre or Missouri S&T. The City of Rolla Public Works Department lists public parking among its responsibilities. For street and regional travel, Interstate 44 runs through the region, and U.S. 63 provides a north–south route.

SMTS Connect provides Rolla’s deviated fixed-route public transit service, and SMTS also offers door-to-door transportation. The City of Rolla gives the service’s local number as 573-364-7687.

SMTS Connect’s regular operating pattern is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; it does not operate on weekends, major holidays or during inclement weather.

A single fare or day pass costs $3, with unlimited boardings on the day pass; a monthly pass costs $45 and also allows unlimited boardings. Children under 5 ride free, and children under 16 must travel with a parent or guardian.

Scheduled stop times repeat hourly. Buses may be up to 10 minutes late, and at request stops they may run up to 5 minutes early. A deviated stop must be arranged at least one day in advance, within one-quarter mile of the scheduled route, and depends on capacity and safe stopping conditions.

At a scheduled request stop, you can ask the driver to stop or request a later pickup that day; alternatively, call the office at least 60 minutes before the scheduled stop time to request pickup.

All riders must wear seat belts while the vehicle is moving. Children under 4 years old or under 40 pounds need an appropriate child safety seat, which SMTS does not provide. Riders with disabilities can request modifications to service procedures; SMTS directs passengers to its ADA policy or its information line at 1-800-273-0646.

Interstate 44 runs through the region, with Rolla about midway along the St. Louis-to-Springfield stretch; U.S. 63 runs north–south. For air travel, Waynesville-St. Robert Regional Forney Field is about 37 minutes by car from the motel.

Spirit of St Louis Airport is about 79.2 miles away, Columbia Regional Airport about 65.7 miles away, and St Louis Lambert International Airport about 94.9 miles away.

SMTS’s Phelps County schedule includes medical-appointment trips within Rolla city limits and rural Rolla on weekdays, plus shopping and personal-appointment trips Tuesday through Thursday. Long-distance trips to Columbia are scheduled for the second and fourth Monday of each month, and trips to St. Louis for the first and third Thursday.

Book long-distance trips at least 2 business days ahead; appointments must fall between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., and riders should plan to spend the day on the vehicle. For airport arrival planning, getting to Rolla from Forney Field is a useful route to consider.

Before you go: Transit schedules, fares and service conditions can change, so check the official site before you go.

Does Rolla have public transit?

Yes. SMTS Connect operates a deviated fixed-route public transit service in Rolla, and SMTS also provides door-to-door transportation.

Can you arrange a stop off the scheduled route?

Yes, subject to service conditions. Arrange a deviated stop at least one day ahead; it must be within one-quarter mile of the scheduled route.

Does SMTS Connect serve destinations beyond Rolla?

SMTS’s Phelps County schedule includes recurring long-distance trips to Columbia and St. Louis. Advance booking is required.