There are shorter ways to get there but here is the easiest, less scary and not too out of the way .... turn right out of the airport. Stay in the right hand lane as much as possibleat this point. Stay on this road all the way through town until it dead ends. The road will gently curve around as you start getting farther out of town. You will come to an intersection where you can go straight ahead or turn to the right. There is a road coming down on your left, an institutional looking building dead ahead and a park like area on your right. Get in the left lane and take the next left. Your only choices here are left or right. This is Havensite. Go left. Get in the right hand lane and turn right at the traffic light. Stay on this road until you hit the curve and see signs for Big Kmart. There is a small strip mall called Ft. Mylner there. Turn right at the light. Stay on this road and it will take you directly to Red Hook. As I read this I see it sounds intimidating but you will find as you drive it that there aren't too many other options on places to turn off so it's hard to get lost.
You can turn right in Havensite and stay on that road to the end then turn right and go into Red Hook but this takes you on Donkey Hill and, quite frankly, I couldn't drive this hill for the first few years I was here!
Remember, drive on the left.
Hope this helps.

How bout taking the ferry from Charlotte Amalie and renting your car on st john.. about $420 per wkor 60 - 75 per day. Car fery is going to cost about $ 50 each way

Isn't the car ferry $35 one way?

I just returned. The car ferry is $35 ROUND TRIP. We rented a jeep at the airport and took it to St. John. There are plenty of signs guiding you from the airport to Redhood and back again. The signs have a picture of a starfish and indicate which way to Redhook (or to the airport for your return trip). Very easy. And, for our party of 4, it was cheaper to rent at the airport than to take ferry/taxi combo. Easier dealing with luggage that way, and it allowed us to stop at stores in St. Thomas and stock up on supplies to take over to St. John.

One reason we rent a vehicle on STJ is that driving on STT freaks me out a bit. I'd find it stressful to have to get off the plane, deal with the rental folks, then deal with STT traffic and the car barge. I like to climb in a van and have somebody drive me across the island while I begin to slow down and settle into Island time.

Other reasons why we rent on STJ is that should I have a problem with the vehicle, I want to be dealing with a company on the same island. Also I appreciate being able to park in the company's lot when in Cruz Bay. I also like to give my business to folks on STJ.

The car ferry is only $35 round trip.

I agree with Nick to the tee.

TMax

Let me add the following. There are free pocket maps of the island with the road between airport and Red Hook marked in Orange I believe....road signs along the way will match.

The route described above is I beleive a combination of the orange and blue routes and is perhpas NOT the shortest way.

At the cruise ship dock area (Havensight), I would suggest turning right INSTEAD of LEFT, following the road around past the cruise ship dock up hill curving to the left...stay on this highway till you come to a dead end at an Esso Station, turn right and follow this road all the way into Red Hook - the ferry dock to St.John.

This route is more scenic and avoids the traffic that at many times during the day might clog the other route you were given. Easier to find and follow too I might add.

Free pocket map should be available at the airport???

Yup...we got our pocket map at the airport when we arrived. I can't remember the route we took, but it was a bit nerveracking for the first time driving in St. Thomas. But we made it!! Just take your time! Once we drove around, we felt more comfortable getting around...except for dodging the pot-holes in the rode!!

No, my directions are not the shortest route to Red Hook but coming from Florida I found it took a while before I could comfortably drive Donkey Hill and I don't like recommending it for new comers. I have learned to drive it with my eyes open (mostly) so it is a bit safer these days 🙂
Pamela