How far is Athens, MO from Saint Joseph, MO?
The driving distance from Athens, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is about 220.9 miles (355.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 175.4 miles (282.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 03m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Athens and Saint Joseph.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Athens and Saint Joseph.
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1
Start on the route
1.5 mi · 4 min
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2
Turn slight left
2.5 mi · 6 min
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3
Turn right
2.6 mi · 4 min
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4
Continue on State Highway 81
2.2 mi · 3 min · State Highway 81
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 2
4.4 mi · 7 min · State Highway 2
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6
Keep slight left to continue on State Highway 2
19.2 mi · 29 min · State Highway 2
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7
Continue on East Highway 2
1.8 mi · 3 min · East Highway 2
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8
Continue on State Highway 2
5.1 mi · 8 min · State Highway 2
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9
Continue on East Main Street
33 mi · 47 min · East Main Street
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10
Continue on East Maple Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · East Maple Street
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11
Turn slight right onto West State Highway 2
14 mi · 21 min · West State Highway 2
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12
Continue on East Main Street
2658 ft · 45 sec · East Main Street
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13
Continue on State Highway 2
8.3 mi · 12 min · State Highway 2
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14
Continue on East Jefferson Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Jefferson Street
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15
Continue on State Highway 2
21.6 mi · 32 min · State Highway 2
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16
Continue on East 1st Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · East 1st Street
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17
Continue on State Highway 2
3.4 mi · 5 min · State Highway 2
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18
Continue on Vine Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Vine Street
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19
Continue on State Highway 2
2035 ft · 44 sec · State Highway 2
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20
Take the ramp left
1647 ft · 40 sec
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21
Merge slight left
72.2 mi · 1 hr 17 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward US 36, I 35 Business: Cameron, Hamilton
1135 ft · 30 sec
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23
Turn right
33.9 mi · 40 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 29 Business
708 ft · 18 sec
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25
Turn slight left onto South 10th Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South 10th Street
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26
Turn right onto Frederick Avenue
116 m · 6 sec · Frederick Avenue
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27
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
42 m · 3 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Athens and Saint Joseph.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Highway 2
Merge slight left
72.2 mi · 01h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Athens and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Saint Joseph.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Athens to Saint Joseph?
The road trip is about 220.9 miles (355.5 km) and usually takes 04h 03m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
South Lineville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 116.4 miles from Athens and 104.5 miles from Saint Joseph.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 175.4 miles (282.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.38 one way or $58.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Athens and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Saint Joseph.
Stop Ideas Near South Lineville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to South Lineville.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
La Plata
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Athens and Saint Joseph. Straight-line distance: 175.44 mi (282.35 km).
#1 Athens
Township in Missouri
| Population | 2,080 |
| Coordinates | 40.5825400, -91.6985000 |
| Altitude | 186 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Saint Joseph
The most populous city in Buchanan County, Missouri.
| Population | 74,074 |
| Coordinates | 39.7686100, -94.8466300 |
| Altitude | 270 |
| Country | United States |
End: Walter Welsh Avenue (-94.846632, 39.768853)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 355 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.38 | $58.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.13 | $66.26 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.25 | $72.51 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $41.32 | $82.64 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Missouri · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.