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

The driving distance from Saint Joseph, MO to Canton, MO is about 217.1 miles (349.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 178 miles (286.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 33m 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
217.09 mi
04h 16m
Flight
178.03 mi
286.51 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
178.03 mi
Kilometers
286.51 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
217.09 mi
Kilometers
349.38 km
Drive Time
04h 16m

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 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Canton
Sat, May 2, 2:30 AM CDT
Return by in Saint Joseph
Sat, May 2, 6:47 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Joseph
2026-05-01T22:13
Arrive Canton
Sat, May 2, 2:30 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:17 AM to 12:17 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
8:26 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
Bucklin
MO

City in Linn County, Missouri, United States

From Saint Joseph
108.4 mi
02h 08m
To Canton
108.7 mi
02h 08m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph N
Destination
59°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 8 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Walter Welsh Avenue

    127 m · 9 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn slight left onto Jules Street

    3176 ft · 1 min · Jules Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North 22nd Street

    1.5 mi · 3 min · North 22nd Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right toward US 36 East: Cameron

    1470 ft · 23 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    182.4 mi · 3 hr 32 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 24 East: Palmyra

    1813 ft · 50 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left

    16.8 mi · 20 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward Avenue of the Saints

    13.4 mi · 16 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right

    1156 ft · 29 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Oak Street

    1807 ft · 36 sec · Oak Street

  11. 11

    Continue on South Monticello Road

    1851 ft · 37 sec · South Monticello Road

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Washington Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · Washington Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Washington Street

Car Route Details

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

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
13 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 36 East
183 mi · 84%
Avenue of the Saints
13.6 mi · 6%
North 22nd Street
1.54 mi · 1%
Washington Street
0.76 mi
Jules Street
0.6 mi
South Monticello Road
0.35 mi
Longest Stretch

US 36 East

Merge slight left

182 mi · 03h 32m

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 16m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.1 mi
178 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bucklin
02h 08m from Saint Joseph
Leave By
8:26 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Saint Joseph and Mostly Sunny near Canton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 217.1 miles (349.4 km) and usually takes 04h 16m 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?

Bucklin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108.4 miles from Saint Joseph and 108.7 miles from Canton.

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

The direct path is about 178 miles (286.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.1 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 8:26 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.89 one way or $57.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Saint Joseph and Mostly Sunny near Canton.

Stop Ideas Near Bucklin

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

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

RAIL

La Plata

44 mi away
535 N. Owensby St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Joseph and Canton. Straight-line distance: 178.03 mi (286.51 km).

Saint Joseph

#1 Saint Joseph

The most populous city in Buchanan County, Missouri.

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

#2 Canton

City in Lewis County, Missouri, United States

Population2,314
Coordinates40.1295000, -91.5185200
Altitude182
CountryUnited States
Start: Saint Joseph (-94.84663, 39.76861)
End: Canton (-91.51852, 40.1295)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 349 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.66 gal
29 L · about $28.89
Round trip
$57.77
15.32 gal · 58 L
Estimated CO2
68.1 kg one way
Round trip: 136.1 kg / 300 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $28.89 $57.77
Mid-grade $4.25 $32.58 $65.16
Premium $4.65 $35.65 $71.30
Diesel $5.30 $40.63 $81.26

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 · May 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Saint Joseph and Canton. The current time is 22:13:44.

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.