How far is Poplar Bluff, MO from Saint Joseph, MO?
The driving distance from Poplar Bluff, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is about 422.3 miles (679.6 km), with a travel time of about 06h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 318.8 miles (513 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 46m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Polk County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Poplar Bluff and Saint Joseph.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Poplar Bluff and Saint Joseph.
-
1
Start on West Pine Street
1.3 km · 1 min · West Pine Street
-
2
Turn right onto North Westwood Boulevard
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard
-
3
Continue on State Street
1396 ft · 26 sec · State Street
-
4
Continue on North Westwood Boulevard
1.6 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard
-
5
Continue straight
2283 ft · 38 sec
-
6
Continue straight
4 mi · 5 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right
172.6 mi · 3 hr 23 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 North: Sedalia
1511 ft · 32 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway
8.1 mi · 10 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 44 West: Joplin
1.3 km · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight left onto Payne Stewart Highway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward MO 13: Bolivar
596 ft · 15 sec
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on MO 13: Bolivar
46 m · 4 sec
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on MO 13 North: Bolivar
64 m · 7 sec
-
15
Merge slight left onto North Kansas Expressway
87.2 mi · 1 hr 43 min · North Kansas Expressway
-
16
Continue straight
35.9 mi · 39 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
37.9 mi · 46 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward 11th Street, Downtown
1637 ft · 26 sec
-
19
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
130 m · 16 sec · East 11th Street
-
20
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
888 ft · 23 sec · Charlotte Street
-
21
Turn left onto East 9th Street
977 ft · 23 sec · East 9th Street
-
22
Turn right onto Locust Street
691 ft · 18 sec · Locust Street
-
23
Continue straight
3 mi · 6 min
-
24
Keep slight left to continue on MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
1.4 km · 2 min
-
25
Take the exit slight right toward US 169 North: Smithville
1540 ft · 24 sec
-
26
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
27
Take the exit slight left toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport, Saint Joseph
2441 ft · 60 sec
-
28
Merge slight right
11.5 mi · 13 min
-
29
Merge slight left
2.7 mi · 3 min
-
30
Keep slight left to continue on I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
26 mi · 28 min
-
31
Take the exit slight right toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
2673 ft · 54 sec
-
32
Continue straight
5.7 mi · 7 min
-
33
Take the exit slight right toward Central Business District
1382 ft · 34 sec
-
34
Continue on Edmond Street
2408 ft · 58 sec · Edmond Street
-
35
Turn left onto South 10th Street
841 ft · 21 sec · South 10th Street
-
36
Turn right onto Frederick Avenue
116 m · 6 sec · Frederick Avenue
-
37
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
42 m · 3 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
-
38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Poplar Bluff and Saint Joseph.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
North Westwood Boulevard
Take the exit slight right
173 mi · 03h 23m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Poplar Bluff and Mostly Sunny near Saint Joseph.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Poplar Bluff to Saint Joseph?
The road trip is about 422.3 miles (679.6 km) and usually takes 06h 46m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Pleasant Hope is a useful midpoint, sitting about 204.7 miles from Poplar Bluff and 217.5 miles from Saint Joseph.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 318.8 miles (513 km), while the road route adds roughly 103.5 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $56.19 one way or $112.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 132.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Poplar Bluff and Mostly Sunny near Saint Joseph.
Stop Ideas Near Pleasant Hope
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic City Hall
Willard City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pleasant Hope.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Poplar Bluff and Saint Joseph. Straight-line distance: 318.79 mi (513.04 km).
#1 Poplar Bluff
City in Butler County in Southeast Missouri, United States
| Population | 16,807 |
| Coordinates | 36.7570000, -90.3928900 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| 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: 680 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 14h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $56.19 | $112.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $63.37 | $126.74 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $69.34 | $138.69 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $79.03 | $158.06 |
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 · Jun 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.