How far is Saint Joseph, MO from Lake Ozark, MO?
The driving distance from Saint Joseph, MO to Lake Ozark, MO is about 218.6 miles (351.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 160.7 miles (258.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 44m 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 04h 22m.
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.
Human settlement in Lafayette County, Missouri, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Saint Joseph and Lake Ozark.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Joseph and Lake Ozark.
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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 right to continue on I 435 East: Saint Louis
28 mi · 31 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
1500 ft · 23 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 70 East: Saint Louis
1.2 mi · 2 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 70 East: Saint Louis
143 m · 12 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto George Brett Super Highway
2213 ft · 29 sec · George Brett Super Highway
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17
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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18
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
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19
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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20
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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21
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
8.5 mi · 9 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Sedalia
1895 ft · 46 sec
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23
Merge slight left
15.9 mi · 18 min
-
24
Turn slight left onto MO 765
706 ft · 14 sec · MO 765
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25
Continue straight
799 ft · 16 sec
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26
Turn straight onto North Ohio Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · North Ohio Avenue
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27
Turn left onto East Pettis Street
2233 ft · 1 min · East Pettis Street
-
28
Continue on West Saline Street
1764 ft · 50 sec · West Saline Street
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29
Turn right onto North Engineer Avenue
2756 ft · 1 min · North Engineer Avenue
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30
Turn left onto East Broadway Boulevard
24.3 mi · 33 min · East Broadway Boulevard
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31
Turn right
14.5 mi · 19 min
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32
At the end of the road, turn left
15 mi · 19 min
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33
Turn right onto South Grand Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · South Grand Avenue
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34
Turn slight left onto West 17th Street
530 ft · 19 sec · West 17th Street
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35
Turn right
2.2 mi · 4 min
-
36
Take the ramp right toward US 54 West: Lake of the Ozarks
1048 ft · 26 sec
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37
Merge slight left
7.3 mi · 8 min
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38
Take the exit slight right toward US 54 Business
883 ft · 26 sec
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39
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Bagnell Dam Boulevard
35 m · 2 sec · Bagnell Dam Boulevard
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40
Exit the rotary onto Bagnell Dam Boulevard
550 ft · 14 sec · Bagnell Dam Boulevard
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41
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Bagnell Dam Boulevard
36 m · 2 sec · Bagnell Dam Boulevard
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42
Exit the roundabout onto Bagnell Dam Boulevard
1.6 mi · 4 min · Bagnell Dam Boulevard
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43
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Bagnell Dam Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint Joseph and Lake Ozark.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 00h 57m
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.
Sunny leaving Saint Joseph and Sunny near Lake Ozark.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Saint Joseph to Lake Ozark?
The road trip is about 218.6 miles (351.8 km) and usually takes 04h 22m 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?
Aullville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.2 miles from Saint Joseph and 109.4 miles from Lake Ozark.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 160.7 miles (258.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.9 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 8:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.07 one way or $58.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Saint Joseph and Sunny near Lake Ozark.
Stop Ideas Near Aullville
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 Aullville.
Warrensburg
Sedalia
Lee's Summit
Independence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Saint Joseph and Lake Ozark. Straight-line distance: 160.7 mi (258.62 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 Lake Ozark
City in Miller County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 1,853 |
| Coordinates | 38.1986400, -92.6388000 |
| Altitude | 229 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Ozark (-92.6388, 38.19864)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 352 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.07 | $58.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $32.79 | $65.58 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $35.88 | $71.76 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $40.89 | $81.79 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.