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What time will the ferry be on the Missouri/Illinois side?
 Excluding the first run from the Illinois landing each morning (6AM Monday thru Friday, 8AM Saturday and 10AM Sunday), the last run from the Illinois to Missouri each night (during Spring-Fall Hours, 7:45PM Monday thru Thursday, 9:45PM Friday and Saturday, and 8:45PM Sunday), and the last run from Missouri to Illinois each night (during Spring-Fall Hours, 8PM Monday thru Thursday, 10PM Friday and Saturday, and 9PM Sunday), the Grafton Ferry does not arrive at or depart from either shore according to any set schedule. The boat simply runs nonstop, back and forth all day long, barring any unforeseen circumstances such as river traffic, weather, or boat maintenance. There is a brief 15-minute delay when we take on fuel, around midday two or three days a week on the Missouri side.
Are you open on....?
 We are open every day of the year except New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Occasionally the ferry may be closed due to scheduled maintenance, heavy ice or high water. If this is the case, "CLOSED" signs will be posted at the ferry sign on Highway 94 in St. Charles and at the ferry parking lot entrance in Grafton. Also, we will post any closing notices on this website.
How can I find out if the ferry is running?
Check this website, or call the company office during regular business hours at 636-899-0600.
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How long does it take to get across the river? How far is it?
Once we're underway, it takes approximately ten minutes to reach the opposite shore. The trip length from one side to the other is just under one mile.
How fast does the ferry boat go?
 On average, between three and a half and six and a half knots, or about four to seven miles per hour.
How deep is the river?
At normal pool, about four to six feet near the shore and between the islands, and between ten and twenty-five feet in the wider parts of the river. The Army Corps of Engineers maintains a channel depth of at least nine feet for towboat traffic.
Is the river going up/down?
Check our River Stage page for the latest river information from the National Weather Service.
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How many cars can fit on the ferry?
The three lanes of the ferry barge easily fit four cars each, twelve cars total. Depending on the size of the vehicles, we can usually squeeze on another car in each lane if necessary, for a fully-loaded barge of fifteen cars. 
Can we get out of our car?
The Grafton Ferry transports all sorts of vehicles including cars, trucks, busses, tractor trailers, farm equipment, motorcycles, and bicycles. We also carry pedestrians, so passengers are allowed on the ferry barge deck.
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Is this a state-run ferry?
The Grafton Ferry Boat Company is privately-owned by Derrill and Karla Machens.
I'm (Derrill or Pete's) best-friend/second-cousin/long-lost-twin-sister/etc....
 We're sorry, but unless someone from the Grafton Ferry Boat Company gave you a pass or specifically let the crew know, everyone has to pay the ferryman. If we gave free rides to everyone who says they know Derrill or Karla, we'd go broke. They're very popular guys.
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How long has the Grafton Ferry been in operation?
The Grafton Ferry Grand Opening Weekend was October 26 & 27, 2002. The ferry began regular operation the following week.
Who is John W. Cannon?
 John W. Cannon, namesake of the first Grafton Ferry towing vessel, was the son of a former Grafton mayor, and a Seaman First Class aboard the U.S.S. Franklin, a carrier in the Pacific during WWII. He was killed in action on March 19, 1945 when the Franklin was struck by Japanese bombers. John Cannon was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously. His son, John Jr. (pictured right), was a guest of honor at the ferry dedication ceremony on October 27, 2002, and his wife christened the towboat.
By the way, another John W. Cannon also has a noteworthy connection to the river: he was the victorious pilot of the Robert E. Lee when it raced the Natchez in the most famous steamboat race in American history during the summer of 1870.
Are there any eagles today?
The Grafton Ferry offers great opportunities for eagle-watching. "Eagle Season" seems to grow longer each year. In 2004, the eagles arrived in late September, and they stayed until early April 2005. If you're aboard the ferry and looking for eagles, let the deckhand know and he will try to point them out for you. The other large, dark birds often seen circling the skies or perched in the island trees during the summer months are probably turkey vultures. The crew may refer to them as "tourist eagles".
 While the eagles are a big draw, you can view many different species of birds from the Grafton Ferry. The photo at right is of an osprey fishing off the lower island. Ospreys are much more rare to this area than eagles. Flocks of pelicans migrate through the area in the fall and spring, and some have begun to stay year-round. The pelicans flying in straight-line formation over the bow of the boat is a spectacular sight. Many different kinds of ducks and geese frequent the confluence area. For several weeks in February 2006, thousands of snow and blue geese floated through the ferry's course across the Mississippi River, almost on a daily basis.
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