How far is Saint Joseph, MO from Aurora, MO?

The driving distance from Saint Joseph, MO to Aurora, MO is about 242.6 miles (390.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 202.8 miles (326.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
242.57 mi
04h 35m
Flight
202.73 mi
326.27 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Saint Joseph.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
202.73 mi
Kilometers
326.27 km
Flight Time
00h 24m

Driving Distance

Road route
242.57 mi
Kilometers
390.38 km
Drive Time
04h 35m

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 04h 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Aurora
Fri, Apr 17, 1:16 AM CDT
Return by in Saint Joseph
Fri, Apr 17, 5:52 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Joseph
2026-04-16T20:40
Arrive Aurora
Fri, Apr 17, 1:16 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:36 AM to 12:36 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:48 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Saint Joseph
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Butler
MO

City in Missouri, United States

From Saint Joseph
121.4 mi
02h 17m
To Aurora
121.2 mi
02h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph SSW
Destination
78°F
Thursday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Joseph and Aurora.

  1. 1

    Start on Walter Welsh Avenue

    127 m · 9 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North 12th Street

    91 m · 10 sec · North 12th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Francis Street

    1130 ft · 38 sec · Francis Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto North 9th Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North 9th Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right

    741 ft · 16 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    929 ft · 20 sec

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight left toward I 229 South, US 59 South: Kansas City

    992 ft · 21 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    4.5 mi · 5 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City

    1705 ft · 29 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    26.1 mi · 28 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight right

    2.2 mi · 2 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City

    12 mi · 14 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 169 South: Kansas City Downtown

    1724 ft · 29 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    5.2 mi · 7 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on Broadway Boulevard

    536 ft · 18 sec · Broadway Boulevard

  16. 16

    Turn left onto West 6th Street

    1438 ft · 26 sec · West 6th Street

  17. 17

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 35 North, I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East

    721 ft · 16 sec

  18. 18

    Continue on George Brett Super Highway

    2089 ft · 39 sec · George Brett Super Highway

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on George Brett Super Highway

    2797 ft · 58 sec · George Brett Super Highway

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on Bruce R. Watkins Drive

    127.8 mi · 2 hr 22 min · Bruce R. Watkins Drive

  21. 21

    Continue on Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway

    10.2 mi · 11 min · Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway

  22. 22

    Continue on George Washington Carver Memorial Highway

    10.5 mi · 11 min · George Washington Carver Memorial Highway

  23. 23

    Continue on George Washington Carver Memorial Highway

    1622 ft · 23 sec · George Washington Carver Memorial Highway

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward I 44 East: Springfield

    1230 ft · 35 sec

  25. 25

    Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway

    28.2 mi · 30 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 39, MO 265, I 44 Business: Mount Vernon, Aurora

    1595 ft · 42 sec

  27. 27

    Turn right

    10.5 mi · 16 min

  28. 28

    Turn right onto South Elliott Avenue

    1535 ft · 26 sec · South Elliott Avenue

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Elliott Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint Joseph and Aurora.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
29 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
6 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Bruce R. Watkins Drive
128 mi · 53%
I 29 South
40.7 mi · 17%
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
28.2 mi · 12%
George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
10.8 mi · 4%
Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
10.2 mi · 4%
US 169 South
5.51 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Bruce R. Watkins Drive

Keep slight right to continue on Bruce R. Watkins Drive

128 mi · 02h 22m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 35m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.8 mi
202.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Butler
02h 17m from Saint Joseph
Leave By
7:48 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Saint Joseph and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Aurora.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Saint Joseph to Aurora?

The road trip is about 242.6 miles (390.4 km) and usually takes 04h 35m 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?

Butler is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.4 miles from Saint Joseph and 121.2 miles from Aurora.

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

The direct path is about 202.8 miles (326.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.8 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 7:48 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.28 one way or $64.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Saint Joseph and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Aurora.

Stop Ideas Near Butler

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

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

RAIL

Lee's Summit

73 mi away
217 SW Main St.
RAIL

Warrensburg

76 mi away
100 South Holden St.
RAIL

Independence

93 mi away
600 South Grand Ave.
RAIL

Union Station

95 mi away
30 West Pershing Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Joseph and Aurora. Straight-line distance: 202.73 mi (326.27 km).

Saint Joseph

#1 Saint Joseph

The most populous city in Buchanan County, Missouri.

Population74,074
Coordinates39.7686100, -94.8466300
Altitude270
CountryUnited States
Aurora

#2 Aurora

City in Lawrence County, Missouri, United States

Population7,432
Coordinates36.9708900, -93.7179800
Altitude427
CountryUnited States
Start: Saint Joseph (-94.84663, 39.76861)
End: Aurora (-93.71798, 36.97089)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 390 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.56 gal
32.4 L · about $32.28
Round trip
$64.56
17.12 gal · 64.8 L
Estimated CO2
76.1 kg one way
Round trip: 152.1 kg / 335 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $32.28 $64.56
Mid-grade $4.25 $36.41 $72.81
Premium $4.65 $39.84 $79.68
Diesel $5.30 $45.40 $90.80

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 Saint Joseph and Aurora. The current time is 20:40:45.

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.