How far is Jefferson City, MO from Saint Joseph, MO?
The driving distance from Jefferson City, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is about 215.2 miles (346.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 165.2 miles (265.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 32m 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 03h 16m.
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.
Human settlement in Lafayette County, Missouri, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Jefferson City and Saint Joseph.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson City and Saint Joseph.
-
1
Start on East Wall Way
47 m · 13 sec · East Wall Way
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2
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
77 m · 15 sec · Jefferson Street
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3
Turn right onto West McCarty Street
1 km · 2 min · West McCarty Street
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4
Take the ramp right toward US 54 East, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbia
713 ft · 18 sec
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5
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 2 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 63 North: Columbia
27.8 mi · 31 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 70, US 40, MO PP: Kansas City, Saint Louis
2021 ft · 43 sec
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8
Continue straight
1089 ft · 31 sec
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9
Take the exit left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
2220 ft · 54 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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14
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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15
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
-
16
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
-
17
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
-
18
Continue on George Brett Super Highway
1.4 km · 58 sec · George Brett Super Highway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des Moines
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
20
Merge slight left onto Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
7.8 mi · 9 min · Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
-
21
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi · 1 min · I435 N
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22
Continue straight
20.9 mi · 22 min
-
23
Keep slight left to continue on I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
26 mi · 28 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
2673 ft · 54 sec
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25
Continue straight
5.7 mi · 7 min
-
26
Take the exit slight right toward Central Business District
1382 ft · 34 sec
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27
Continue on Edmond Street
2408 ft · 58 sec · Edmond Street
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28
Turn left onto South 10th Street
841 ft · 21 sec · South 10th Street
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29
Turn right onto Frederick Avenue
116 m · 6 sec · Frederick Avenue
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30
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
42 m · 3 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Jefferson City 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.
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 00h 58m
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.
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Jefferson City and 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 Jefferson City to Saint Joseph?
The road trip is about 215.2 miles (346.4 km) and usually takes 03h 16m 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?
Aullville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 107.5 miles from Jefferson City and 107.8 miles from Saint Joseph.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 165.2 miles (265.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 50 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 10:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.62 one way or $57.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms around Jefferson City and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Saint Joseph.
Stop Ideas Near Aullville
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 Aullville.
Warrensburg
Sedalia
Lee's Summit
Independence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Jefferson City and Saint Joseph. Straight-line distance: 165.17 mi (265.81 km).
#1 Jefferson City
The capital of Missouri.
| Population | 42,708 |
| Coordinates | 38.5767000, -92.1735200 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| 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: 346 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $28.62 | $57.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $32.28 | $64.56 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $35.32 | $70.65 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $40.26 | $80.51 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.