How far is Saint Joseph, MO from Carthage, MO?
The driving distance from Saint Joseph, MO to Carthage, MO is about 195 miles (313.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 181.4 miles (292 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 03h 43m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Cass County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Saint Joseph and Carthage.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Joseph and Carthage.
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1
Start on Walter Welsh Avenue
127 m · 9 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
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2
Turn right onto North 12th Street
91 m · 10 sec · North 12th Street
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3
Turn right onto Francis Street
1130 ft · 38 sec · Francis Street
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4
Turn left onto North 9th Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North 9th Street
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5
Take the ramp slight right
741 ft · 16 sec
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6
Merge slight left
929 ft · 20 sec
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7
Take the exit slight left toward I 229 South, US 59 South: Kansas City
992 ft · 21 sec
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8
Merge slight left
4.5 mi · 5 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
1705 ft · 29 sec
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10
Merge slight left
26.1 mi · 28 min
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11
Merge slight right
2.2 mi · 2 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
12 mi · 14 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 169 South: Kansas City Downtown
1724 ft · 29 sec
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14
Merge slight left
5.2 mi · 7 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Broadway Boulevard
536 ft · 18 sec · Broadway Boulevard
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16
Turn left onto West 6th Street
1438 ft · 26 sec · West 6th Street
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17
Take the ramp slight left toward I 35 North, I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East
721 ft · 16 sec
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18
Continue on George Brett Super Highway
2089 ft · 39 sec · George Brett Super Highway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on George Brett Super Highway
2797 ft · 58 sec · George Brett Super Highway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Bruce R. Watkins Drive
127.8 mi · 2 hr 22 min · Bruce R. Watkins Drive
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21
Continue on Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
10.2 mi · 11 min · Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward MO V, MO D: Alba
1611 ft · 30 sec
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23
Turn left onto North Garrison Avenue
2.3 mi · 5 min · North Garrison Avenue
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24
Turn left onto West 4th Street
1248 ft · 1 min · West 4th Street
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25
Turn left onto South Grant Street
46 m · 4 sec · South Grant Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Grant Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint Joseph and Carthage.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Saint Joseph and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carthage.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Saint Joseph to Carthage?
The road trip is about 195 miles (313.9 km) and usually takes 03h 43m 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?
Archie is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.6 miles from Saint Joseph and 97.4 miles from Carthage.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 181.4 miles (292 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.6 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 9:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.94 one way or $51.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Saint Joseph and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carthage.
Stop Ideas Near Archie
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Archie.
Lee's Summit
Warrensburg
Independence
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Saint Joseph and Carthage. Straight-line distance: 181.43 mi (291.99 km).
#1 Saint Joseph
The most populous city in Buchanan County, Missouri.
| Population | 74,074 |
| Coordinates | 39.7686100, -94.8466300 |
| Altitude | 270 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carthage
City in Missouri
| Population | 14,732 |
| Coordinates | 37.1764500, -94.3102200 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carthage (-94.31022, 37.17645)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 314 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.94 | $51.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.26 | $58.52 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.02 | $64.04 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.49 | $72.98 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.