How far is Saint Joseph, MO from Poplar Bluff, MO?

The driving distance from Saint Joseph, MO to Poplar Bluff, MO is about 410.4 miles (660.5 km), with a travel time of about 08h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 318.8 miles (513 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 16h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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
410.39 mi
08h 05m
Flight
318.79 mi
513.04 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
318.79 mi
Kilometers
513.04 km
Flight Time
00h 38m

Driving Distance

Road route
410.39 mi
Kilometers
660.46 km
Drive Time
08h 05m

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 08h 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Poplar Bluff
Wed, Jun 3, 9:24 AM CDT
Return by in Saint Joseph
Wed, Jun 3, 5:29 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Joseph
2026-06-03T01:19
Arrive Poplar Bluff
Wed, Jun 3, 9:24 AM CDT
Route Timing
08h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
2:05 PM to 3:35 PM CDT

Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

Leave by
7:50 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Saint Joseph
8:00 PM CDT
Overnight-style route

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
Pleasant Hope
MO

City in Polk County, Missouri, United States

From Saint Joseph
205.1 mi
04h 02m
To Poplar Bluff
205.2 mi
04h 02m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Jun 3 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph SE
Destination
81°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Jun 3 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 mph ENE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Joseph and Poplar Bluff.

  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

    37.8 mi · 45 min · Bruce R. Watkins Drive

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 7 South: Clinton

    924 ft · 20 sec

  22. 22

    Turn slight left onto MO 7 South: Clinton

    55.5 mi · 1 hr 4 min

  23. 23

    Continue straight

    68 mi · 1 hr 19 min

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight left toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis

    954 ft · 23 sec

  25. 25

    Merge slight left onto Payne Stewart Highway

    4.3 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Branson

    2343 ft · 50 sec

  27. 27

    Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway

    8.3 mi · 10 min · Schoolcraft Freeway

  28. 28

    Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East: Cabool

    1228 ft · 53 sec

  29. 29

    Merge slight left

    82.2 mi · 1 hr 36 min

  30. 30

    Keep slight left to continue on US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff

    90.4 mi · 1 hr 47 min

  31. 31

    Keep slight right

    4.8 mi · 6 min

  32. 32

    Turn straight onto North Westwood Boulevard

    1.6 mi · 3 min · North Westwood Boulevard

  33. 33

    Continue on State Street

    1396 ft · 26 sec · State Street

  34. 34

    Continue on North Westwood Boulevard

    1.3 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard

  35. 35

    Turn left onto West Pine Street

    1.4 km · 1 min · West Pine Street

  36. 36

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Pine Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
36 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
16
8 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 60 East
178 mi · 43%
MO 7 South
124 mi · 30%
I 29 South
40.7 mi · 10%
Bruce R. Watkins Drive
37.8 mi · 9%
Schoolcraft Freeway
8.29 mi · 2%
US 169 South
5.51 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 60 East

Keep slight left to continue on US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff

90.4 mi · 01h 47m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

Better with a longer stop

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

Drive Time
08h 05m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
16h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+91.6 mi
318.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pleasant Hope
04h 02m from Saint Joseph
Leave By
7:50 PM CDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Saint Joseph and Sunny near Poplar Bluff.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Saint Joseph to Poplar Bluff?

The road trip is about 410.4 miles (660.5 km) and usually takes 08h 05m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Pleasant Hope is a useful midpoint, sitting about 205.1 miles from Saint Joseph and 205.2 miles from Poplar Bluff.

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

The direct path is about 318.8 miles (513 km), while the road route adds roughly 91.6 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $54.60 one way or $109.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 128.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Pleasant Hope

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Pleasant Hope and the surrounding midpoint area.
Historic City Hall
Scenic stop 12.9 mi away

Historic City Hall

Springfield , MO
N Boonville Ave, Springfield, MO 65802
Rating 4.3/5 4 reviews Local history museum
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 7.6 mi away

Willard City Hall

Willard , MO
224 W Jackson St, Willard, MO 65781
Rating 2.3/5 6 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pleasant Hope.

Transit stop coverage is not ready for this midpoint yet.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Joseph and Poplar Bluff. Straight-line distance: 318.79 mi (513.04 km).

Saint Joseph

#1 Saint Joseph

The most populous city in Buchanan County, Missouri.

Population74,074
Coordinates39.7686100, -94.8466300
Altitude270
CountryUnited States
Poplar Bluff

#2 Poplar Bluff

City in Butler County in Southeast Missouri, United States

Population16,807
Coordinates36.7570000, -90.3928900
Altitude110
CountryUnited States
Start: Saint Joseph (-94.84663, 39.76861)
End: Poplar Bluff (-90.39289, 36.757)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 660 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)13h 40m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)10h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)08h 12m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)06h 50m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)05h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)05h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
14.48 gal
54.82 L · about $54.60
Round trip
$109.21
28.96 gal · 109.64 L
Estimated CO2
128.7 kg one way
Round trip: 257.4 kg / 567 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $54.60 $109.21
Mid-grade $4.25 $61.58 $123.17
Premium $4.65 $67.39 $134.78
Diesel $5.30 $76.80 $153.60

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 · Jun 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Saint Joseph and Poplar Bluff. The current time is 01:19:09.

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.