How far is Monroe City, MO from Saint Joseph, MO?

The driving distance from Monroe City, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is about 172 miles (276.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 165.6 miles (266.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 34m 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
172 mi
02h 47m
Flight
165.59 mi
266.49 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Monroe City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
165.59 mi
Kilometers
266.49 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
172 mi
Kilometers
276.81 km
Drive Time
02h 47m

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 02h 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Saint Joseph
Fri, Apr 17, 2:18 AM CDT
Return by in Monroe City
Fri, Apr 17, 5:05 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Monroe City
2026-04-16T23:31
Arrive Saint Joseph
Fri, Apr 17, 2:18 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:47 AM to 12:47 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:56 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Monroe City
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
Meadville
MO

City in Missouri

From Monroe City
85.9 mi
01h 23m
To Saint Joseph
86.1 mi
01h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 12 mph SW
Destination
83°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Monroe City and Saint Joseph.

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    1353 ft · 27 sec · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Stoddard Street

    1.4 km · 1 min · Stoddard Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

    143.1 mi · 2 hr 46 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    13.4 mi · 15 min

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    13.1 mi · 16 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 29 Business

    708 ft · 18 sec

  7. 7

    Turn slight left onto South 10th Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South 10th Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Frederick Avenue

    116 m · 6 sec · Frederick Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue

    42 m · 3 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Monroe City 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
10 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
170 mi · 99%
South 10th Street
1.22 mi · 1%
Stoddard Street
0.9 mi · 1%
North Main Street
0.26 mi
I 29 Business
0.13 mi
Frederick Avenue
0.07 mi
Longest Stretch

Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

Turn left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

143 mi · 02h 46m

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
02h 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.4 mi
165.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Meadville
01h 23m from Monroe City
Leave By
12:56 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Monroe City and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Saint Joseph.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Monroe City to Saint Joseph?

The road trip is about 172 miles (276.8 km) and usually takes 02h 47m 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?

Meadville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.9 miles from Monroe City and 86.1 miles from Saint Joseph.

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

The direct path is about 165.6 miles (266.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:56 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.89 one way or $45.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Monroe City and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Saint Joseph.

Stop Ideas Near Meadville

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

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

RAIL

La Plata

75 mi away
535 N. Owensby St.
RAIL

Sedalia

119 mi away
100 block of Main Street, through parking lot

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Monroe City and Saint Joseph. Straight-line distance: 165.59 mi (266.49 km).

Monroe City

#1 Monroe City

City in Monroe County, Missouri, United States

Population2,438
Coordinates39.6536500, -91.7346100
Altitude227
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: North Main Street (-91.734652, 39.653649)
End: Walter Welsh Avenue (-94.846632, 39.768853)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 277 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.07 gal
22.98 L · about $22.89
Round trip
$45.78
12.14 gal · 45.96 L
Estimated CO2
53.9 kg one way
Round trip: 107.9 kg / 238 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.89 $45.78
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.82 $51.63
Premium $4.65 $28.25 $56.50
Diesel $5.30 $32.20 $64.39

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Monroe City and Saint Joseph. The current time is 23:31:09.

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.