How far is North Kansas City, MO from Saint Joseph, MO?
The driving distance from North Kansas City, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is about 53.7 miles (86.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 46.7 miles (75.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 50m 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 00h 55m.
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.
City in Missouri
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Kansas City and Saint Joseph.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Kansas City and Saint Joseph.
-
1
Start on the route
59 m · 10 sec
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2
Exit the roundabout onto East 12th Avenue
616 ft · 29 sec · East 12th Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Ozark Street
1176 ft · 56 sec · Ozark Street
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4
Turn left onto Bedford Road
2219 ft · 1 min · Bedford Road
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5
Continue on Bedford Avenue
1008 ft · 28 sec · Bedford Avenue
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6
Turn straight onto East 10th Avenue
2172 ft · 1 min · East 10th Avenue
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7
Turn right onto Burlington Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Burlington Street
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8
Keep slight left to continue on MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
1.4 km · 2 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 169 North: Smithville
1540 ft · 24 sec
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10
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
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11
Take the exit slight left toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport, Saint Joseph
2441 ft · 60 sec
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12
Merge slight right
11.5 mi · 13 min
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13
Merge slight left
2.7 mi · 3 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
26 mi · 28 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
2673 ft · 54 sec
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16
Continue straight
5.7 mi · 7 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Central Business District
1382 ft · 34 sec
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18
Continue on Edmond Street
2408 ft · 58 sec · Edmond Street
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19
Turn left onto South 10th Street
841 ft · 21 sec · South 10th Street
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20
Turn right onto Frederick Avenue
116 m · 6 sec · Frederick Avenue
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21
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
42 m · 3 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Kansas 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.
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.
Sunny leaving North Kansas City and Sunny near Saint Joseph.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Kansas City to Saint Joseph?
The road trip is about 53.7 miles (86.4 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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?
Tracy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.6 miles from North Kansas City and 27.1 miles from Saint Joseph.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 46.7 miles (75.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 7 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 4:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.13 one way or $14.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around North Kansas City and Sunny near Saint Joseph.
Stop Ideas Near Tracy
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Lansing Community and Economic Development
Platte City City Hall
Smithville Housing Authority
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tracy.
Union Station
Independence
Lawrence
Lee's Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Kansas City and Saint Joseph. Straight-line distance: 46.66 mi (75.09 km).
#1 North Kansas City
City in Clay County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 4,571 |
| Coordinates | 39.1300000, -94.5621800 |
| Altitude | 226 |
| 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: 86 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $7.13 | $14.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $8.04 | $16.08 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $8.80 | $17.59 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $10.02 | $20.05 |
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.