How far is Lake Lotawana, MO from Saint Joseph, MO?
The driving distance from Lake Lotawana, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is about 85.8 miles (138.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 66.7 miles (107.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 31m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Platte County, Missouri, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Lotawana and Saint Joseph.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Lotawana and Saint Joseph.
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1
Start on X Street
970 ft · 43 sec · X Street
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2
Continue on Y Street
1903 ft · 1 min · Y Street
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3
Continue on Z Street
1.1 mi · 4 min · Z Street
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4
Continue on South Lake Shore Drive
1102 ft · 53 sec · South Lake Shore Drive
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5
Turn left onto East Colbern Road
3155 ft · 1 min · East Colbern Road
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6
Continue on Northeast Colbern Road
4.7 mi · 8 min · Northeast Colbern Road
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7
Turn right onto Northeast Todd George Parkway
1.6 mi · 3 min · Northeast Todd George Parkway
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8
Turn left onto Northeast Strother Road
1586 ft · 47 sec · Northeast Strother Road
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9
Take the ramp right toward I 470 North, MO 291 North: Independence
1207 ft · 30 sec
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10
Merge slight left
5 mi · 6 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West: Kansas City
1734 ft · 49 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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13
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
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14
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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15
Continue on George Brett Super Highway
1.4 km · 58 sec · George Brett Super Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des Moines
1.1 mi · 2 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
7.8 mi · 9 min · Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
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18
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi · 1 min · I435 N
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19
Continue straight
20.9 mi · 22 min
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20
Keep slight left to continue on I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
26 mi · 28 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
2673 ft · 54 sec
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22
Continue straight
5.7 mi · 7 min
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward Central Business District
1382 ft · 34 sec
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24
Continue on Edmond Street
2408 ft · 58 sec · Edmond Street
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25
Turn left onto South 10th Street
841 ft · 21 sec · 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 Lake Lotawana 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.
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.
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Lake Lotawana and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Saint Joseph.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Lotawana to Saint Joseph?
The road trip is about 85.8 miles (138.1 km) and usually takes 01h 31m 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?
Ferrelview is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.9 miles from Lake Lotawana and 42.9 miles from Saint Joseph.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 66.7 miles (107.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.1 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 3:26 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.43 one way or $22.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Lake Lotawana and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Saint Joseph.
Stop Ideas Near Ferrelview
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Memorial Hall
Parkville City Hall
Kansas City Power & Light District
Overlook at Quality Hill
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ferrelview.
Union Station
Independence
Lee's Summit
Lawrence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Lotawana and Saint Joseph. Straight-line distance: 66.7 mi (107.35 km).
#1 Lake Lotawana
City in Jackson County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 2,131 |
| Coordinates | 38.9230600, -94.2441100 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| 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: 138 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.43 | $22.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $12.89 | $25.77 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.10 | $28.20 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.07 | $32.14 |
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 · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.