^^This. Or....
I biked the Katy westward to Booneville, then up to Kansas City, then Omaha, Nebraska where I caught AmTrak directly to Chicago. I know you have a car stuck in St. Louis under your current plan but figured you might like someone thinking outside the box.
I enjoyed the trip to Omaha from Booneville. The Steamboat Trace trail is along the Missouri on this route, as are a few other Rail-Trails. Also quiet roads through cornfields. Shoot for Council Bluffs which is across the river from Omaha (cheaper lodging if you have to wait a day or two for the train). Check out the very fine Omaha Zoo, hop the train, and relax back home. The Omaha train station had bike boxes.
Cheers.
Last edited by JoeyBike; 03-12-19 at 01:55 PM.