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

The driving distance from Saint Joseph, MO to Centralia, MO is about 180.3 miles (290.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 149.5 miles (240.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 09m 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
180.32 mi
03h 34m
Flight
149.49 mi
240.58 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
149.49 mi
Kilometers
240.58 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
180.32 mi
Kilometers
290.19 km
Drive Time
03h 34m

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 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Centralia
Thu, Apr 30, 9:35 AM CDT
Return by in Saint Joseph
Thu, Apr 30, 1:10 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Joseph
2026-04-30T06:00
Arrive Centralia
Thu, Apr 30, 9:35 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:35 AM to 11:35 AM CDT

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

Leave by
9:50 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Laclede
MO

City in Linn County, Missouri, United States

From Saint Joseph
90 mi
01h 47m
To Centralia
90.3 mi
01h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph NW
Destination
63°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    128.7 mi · 2 hr 30 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Kirksville, Macon

    924 ft · 25 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto North Missouri Street

    37.5 mi · 43 min · North Missouri Street

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 22, MO F: Centralia, Sturgeon

    1081 ft · 32 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right

    10.3 mi · 14 min

  10. 10

    At the end of the road, turn left

    63 m · 4 sec

  11. 11

    Turn straight

    1623 ft · 30 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto North Allen Street

    2753 ft · 1 min · North Allen Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West Singleton Street

    103 m · 11 sec · West Singleton Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto South Rollins Street

    120 m · 17 sec · South Rollins Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Rollins Street

Car Route Details

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

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
15 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 36 East
129 mi · 72%
North Missouri Street
37.5 mi · 21%
North 22nd Street
1.54 mi · 1%
Jules Street
0.6 mi
North Allen Street
0.52 mi
MO 22
0.2 mi
Longest Stretch

US 36 East

Merge slight left

129 mi · 02h 30m

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
03h 34m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.8 mi
149.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Laclede
01h 47m from Saint Joseph
Leave By
9:50 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 180.3 miles (290.2 km) and usually takes 03h 34m 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?

Laclede is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90 miles from Saint Joseph and 90.3 miles from Centralia.

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

The direct path is about 149.5 miles (240.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.8 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 9:50 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.98 one way or $47.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Laclede

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

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

RAIL

La Plata

64 mi away
535 N. Owensby St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Joseph and Centralia. Straight-line distance: 149.49 mi (240.58 km).

Saint Joseph

#1 Saint Joseph

The most populous city in Buchanan County, Missouri.

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

#2 Centralia

City in Missouri

Population4,344
Coordinates39.2103200, -92.1379500
Altitude269
CountryUnited States
Start: Saint Joseph (-94.84663, 39.76861)
End: Centralia (-92.13795, 39.21032)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 290 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.36 gal
24.09 L · about $23.98
Round trip
$47.97
12.72 gal · 48.18 L
Estimated CO2
56.5 kg one way
Round trip: 113 kg / 249 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.98 $47.97
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.05 $54.10
Premium $4.65 $29.60 $59.20
Diesel $5.30 $33.73 $67.47

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Saint Joseph and Centralia. The current time is 06:00:56.

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.