How far is Canton, MO from Saint Joseph, MO?

The driving distance from Canton, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is about 216.4 miles (348.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 178 miles (286.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
216.44 mi
03h 30m
Flight
178.03 mi
286.51 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Canton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
178.03 mi
Kilometers
286.51 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
216.44 mi
Kilometers
348.33 km
Drive Time
03h 30m

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 03h 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Saint Joseph
Sat, May 2, 12:26 AM CDT
Return by in Canton
Sat, May 2, 3:57 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Canton
2026-05-01T20:55
Arrive Saint Joseph
Sat, May 2, 12:26 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:31 AM to 11:31 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:58 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Canton
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Bucklin
MO

City in Linn County, Missouri, United States

From Canton
108.4 mi
01h 45m
To Saint Joseph
108 mi
01h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 8 mph N
Destination
63°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Canton and Saint Joseph.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Canton and Saint Joseph.

  1. 1

    Start on Washington Street

    12 m · 4 sec · Washington Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South 4th Street

    1689 ft · 39 sec · South 4th Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto White Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · White Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left

    1030 ft · 25 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    27.2 mi · 32 min · Avenue of the Saints

  6. 6

    Turn straight onto US 24 West: Monroe City

    3.3 mi · 4 min

  7. 7

    Take the ramp right toward US 24 West, US 36 West: Monroe City

    1791 ft · 24 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto V.F.W. Memorial Highway

    2663 ft · 35 sec · V.F.W. Memorial Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

    156.3 mi · 3 hr 1 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    13.4 mi · 15 min

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    13.1 mi · 16 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 29 Business

    708 ft · 18 sec

  13. 13

    Turn slight left onto South 10th Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South 10th Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Frederick Avenue

    116 m · 6 sec · Frederick Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue

    42 m · 3 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Canton and Saint Joseph.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
183 mi · 84%
Avenue of the Saints
27.2 mi · 13%
US 24 West
3.61 mi · 2%
White Street
1.4 mi · 1%
South 10th Street
1.22 mi · 1%
V.F.W. Memorial Highway
0.5 mi
Longest Stretch

Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

156 mi · 03h 01m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 30m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+38.4 mi
178 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bucklin
01h 45m from Canton
Leave By
9:58 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Canton and Mostly Sunny near Saint Joseph.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Canton to Saint Joseph?

The road trip is about 216.4 miles (348.3 km) and usually takes 03h 30m 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?

Bucklin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108.4 miles from Canton and 108 miles from Saint Joseph.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 178 miles (286.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.4 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 9:58 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.81 one way or $57.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Canton and Mostly Sunny near Saint Joseph.

Stop Ideas Near Bucklin

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Bucklin, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bucklin.

RAIL

La Plata

44 mi away
535 N. Owensby St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Canton and Saint Joseph. Straight-line distance: 178.03 mi (286.51 km).

Canton

#1 Canton

City in Lewis County, Missouri, United States

Population2,314
Coordinates40.1295000, -91.5185200
Altitude182
CountryUnited States
Saint Joseph

#2 Saint Joseph

The most populous city in Buchanan County, Missouri.

Population74,074
Coordinates39.7686100, -94.8466300
Altitude270
CountryUnited States
Start: Washington Street (-91.518515, 40.129414)
End: Walter Welsh Avenue (-94.846632, 39.768853)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 348 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.64 gal
28.91 L · about $28.81
Round trip
$57.62
15.28 gal · 57.82 L
Estimated CO2
67.9 kg one way
Round trip: 135.8 kg / 299 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $28.81 $57.62
Mid-grade $4.25 $32.49 $64.99
Premium $4.65 $35.56 $71.11
Diesel $5.30 $40.52 $81.05

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Canton and Saint Joseph. The current time is 20:55:56.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.