How far is Saint Joseph, MO from Shell Knob, MO?
The driving distance from Saint Joseph, MO to Shell Knob, MO is about 269.9 miles (434.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 226.5 miles (364.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 28m 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 05h 14m.
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.
Village in the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Saint Joseph and Shell Knob.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Joseph and Shell Knob.
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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
Continue on George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
10.5 mi · 11 min · George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
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23
Continue on George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
1622 ft · 23 sec · George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 44 East: Springfield
1230 ft · 35 sec
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25
Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
28.2 mi · 30 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward MO 39, MO 265, I 44 Business: Mount Vernon, Aurora
1595 ft · 42 sec
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27
Turn right
10.5 mi · 16 min
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28
Turn right onto South Elliott Avenue
3.4 mi · 6 min · South Elliott Avenue
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29
Continue on State Highway 39
24.1 mi · 33 min · State Highway 39
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30
Turn right onto Farm Road 1230
746 ft · 19 sec · Farm Road 1230
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31
Turn sharp right onto Farm Road 1240
14 m · 2 sec · Farm Road 1240
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Farm Road 1240
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint Joseph and Shell Knob.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Saint Joseph and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Shell Knob.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Saint Joseph to Shell Knob?
The road trip is about 269.9 miles (434.4 km) and usually takes 05h 14m 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?
Metz is a useful midpoint, sitting about 135.1 miles from Saint Joseph and 134.8 miles from Shell Knob.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 226.5 miles (364.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.4 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 6:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.94 one way or $71.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Saint Joseph and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Shell Knob.
Stop Ideas Near Metz
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 Metz.
Lee's Summit
Warrensburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Saint Joseph and Shell Knob. Straight-line distance: 226.47 mi (364.47 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 Shell Knob
Census designated place
| Population | 1,379 |
| Coordinates | 36.6322900, -93.6343600 |
| Altitude | 350 |
| Country | United States |
End: Shell Knob (-93.63436, 36.63229)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 434 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $35.94 | $71.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $40.53 | $81.06 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $44.35 | $88.71 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $50.55 | $101.09 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.