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

The driving distance from Independence, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is about 66.2 miles (106.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 52.1 miles (83.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
66.26 mi
01h 09m
Flight
52.16 mi
83.94 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Independence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
52.16 mi
Kilometers
83.94 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
66.26 mi
Kilometers
106.64 km
Drive Time
01h 09m

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 01h 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Saint Joseph
Tue, May 5, 3:03 AM CDT
Return by in Independence
Tue, May 5, 4:12 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Independence
2026-05-05T01:54
Arrive Saint Joseph
Tue, May 5, 3:03 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:09 AM to 11:09 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Independence
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Platte City
MO

City in Platte County, Missouri, United States

From Independence
32.9 mi
00h 34m
To Saint Joseph
33.4 mi
00h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 14 mph NNE
Destination
59°F
Tuesday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 14 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Kansas Avenue

    19 m · 5 sec · East Kansas Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    1003 ft · 49 sec · South Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto West Truman Road

    3.9 mi · 9 min · West Truman Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Claycomo, Des Moines

    753 ft · 18 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway

    6.2 mi · 7 min · Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on I435 N

    1.3 mi · 1 min · I435 N

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    20.9 mi · 22 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph

    26 mi · 28 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph

    2673 ft · 54 sec

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    5.7 mi · 7 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Central Business District

    1382 ft · 34 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on Edmond Street

    2408 ft · 58 sec · Edmond Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto South 10th Street

    841 ft · 21 sec · 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 Independence 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
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 29 North
26 mi · 39%
I435 N
22.1 mi · 33%
I 229 North
6.2 mi · 9%
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
6.19 mi · 9%
West Truman Road
3.94 mi · 6%
Edmond Street
0.46 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 29 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph

26 mi · 00h 28m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 09m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.1 mi
52.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Platte City
00h 34m from Independence
Leave By
4:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Independence and Rain Showers Likely near Saint Joseph.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 66.2 miles (106.6 km) and usually takes 01h 09m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Platte City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 32.9 miles from Independence and 33.4 miles from Saint Joseph.

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

The direct path is about 52.1 miles (83.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.82 one way or $17.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Independence and Rain Showers Likely near Saint Joseph.

Stop Ideas Near Platte City

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Platte City, 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 Platte City.

RAIL

Union Station

36 mi away
30 West Pershing Rd.
RAIL

Independence

44 mi away
600 South Grand Ave.
RAIL

Lawrence

59 mi away
413 East 7th Street
RAIL

Lee's Summit

62 mi away
217 SW Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Saint Joseph. Straight-line distance: 52.16 mi (83.94 km).

Independence

#1 Independence

A city in Jackson County, Missouri.

Population116,774
Coordinates39.0911200, -94.4155100
Altitude315
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: East Kansas Avenue (-94.415514, 39.091027)
End: Walter Welsh Avenue (-94.846632, 39.768853)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 107 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 49m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.34 gal
8.85 L · about $8.82
Round trip
$17.65
4.68 gal · 17.7 L
Estimated CO2
20.8 kg one way
Round trip: 41.6 kg / 92 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $8.82 $17.65
Mid-grade $4.25 $9.95 $19.90
Premium $4.65 $10.89 $21.78
Diesel $5.30 $12.41 $24.82

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

There is no time difference between Independence and Saint Joseph. The current time is 01:54:23.

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.