How far is Lake Ozark, MO from Saint Joseph, MO?
The driving distance from Lake Ozark, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is about 224.1 miles (360.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 160.7 miles (258.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 27m 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 43m.
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.
City in Johnson County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Ozark and Saint Joseph.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Ozark and Saint Joseph.
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1
Start on Bagnell Dam Boulevard
1.6 mi · 4 min · Bagnell Dam Boulevard
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2
Exit the roundabout onto Willmore Lane
952 ft · 19 sec · Willmore Lane
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
70 m · 4 sec
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4
Exit the roundabout
684 ft · 19 sec
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5
Merge slight left
7.3 mi · 8 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 54 Business, MO 52: Eldon, Tuscumbia
1144 ft · 27 sec
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7
Turn left
2.4 mi · 4 min
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8
Turn left onto West 17th Street
530 ft · 15 sec · West 17th Street
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9
Continue on South Grand Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · South Grand Avenue
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10
Turn left onto West 4th Street
15 mi · 19 min · West 4th Street
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11
Continue straight
14.5 mi · 19 min
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12
Turn left
16.3 mi · 21 min
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13
Continue straight
78 mi · 1 hr 37 min
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14
Continue on Blue Parkway
7.7 mi · 12 min · Blue Parkway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 435 North
2282 ft · 39 sec
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16
Merge slight left
11.4 mi · 13 min
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17
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi · 1 min · I435 N
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18
Continue straight
20.9 mi · 22 min
-
19
Keep slight left to continue on I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
26 mi · 28 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
2673 ft · 54 sec
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21
Continue straight
5.7 mi · 7 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Central Business District
1382 ft · 34 sec
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23
Continue on Edmond Street
2408 ft · 58 sec · Edmond Street
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24
Turn left onto South 10th Street
841 ft · 21 sec · South 10th Street
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25
Turn right onto Frederick Avenue
116 m · 6 sec · Frederick Avenue
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26
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
42 m · 3 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Ozark and Saint Joseph.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
West 4th Street
Continue straight
78 mi · 01h 37m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Lake Ozark 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 Ozark to Saint Joseph?
The road trip is about 224.1 miles (360.6 km) and usually takes 03h 43m 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?
Centerview is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105.6 miles from Lake Ozark and 118.5 miles from Saint Joseph.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 160.7 miles (258.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 63.4 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 9:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.83 one way or $59.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Lake Ozark and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Saint Joseph.
Stop Ideas Near Centerview
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 Centerview.
Warrensburg
Lee's Summit
Sedalia
Independence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Ozark and Saint Joseph. Straight-line distance: 160.7 mi (258.62 km).
#1 Lake Ozark
City in Miller County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 1,853 |
| Coordinates | 38.1986400, -92.6388000 |
| Altitude | 229 |
| 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: 361 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.83 | $59.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.64 | $67.28 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.81 | $73.63 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $41.95 | $83.91 |
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.