How far is Saint Joseph, MO from Sparta, MO?
The driving distance from Saint Joseph, MO to Sparta, MO is about 245.6 miles (395.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 213.8 miles (344 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 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 52m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in 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
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Saint Joseph and Sparta.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Joseph and Sparta.
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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
-
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
37.8 mi · 45 min · Bruce R. Watkins Drive
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21
Take the exit slight right toward MO 7 South: Clinton
924 ft · 20 sec
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22
Turn slight left onto MO 7 South: Clinton
55.5 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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23
Continue straight
68 mi · 1 hr 19 min
-
24
Take the exit slight left toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
954 ft · 23 sec
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25
Merge slight left onto Payne Stewart Highway
4.3 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Branson
2343 ft · 50 sec
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27
Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway
10.7 mi · 13 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
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28
Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway
5.9 mi · 7 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
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29
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 Business, MO F: Sparta
994 ft · 33 sec
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30
Turn left
1.4 mi · 2 min
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31
Continue on East South Street
6.1 mi · 9 min · East South Street
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32
Continue on Main Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Main Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint Joseph and Sparta.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
MO 7 South
Continue straight
68 mi · 01h 19m
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 Partly Sunny near Sparta.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Saint Joseph to Sparta?
The road trip is about 245.6 miles (395.2 km) and usually takes 04h 52m 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?
Clinton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.8 miles from Saint Joseph and 122.7 miles from Sparta.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 213.8 miles (344 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.8 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 7:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.66 one way or $65.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77 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 Partly Sunny near Sparta.
Stop Ideas Near Clinton
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 Clinton.
Warrensburg
Sedalia
Lee's Summit
Independence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Saint Joseph and Sparta. Straight-line distance: 213.76 mi (344.02 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 Sparta
City in Christian County, Missouri
| Population | 1,792 |
| Coordinates | 37.0011600, -93.0815700 |
| Altitude | 428 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sparta (-93.08157, 37.00116)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 395 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.66 | $65.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.83 | $73.66 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.30 | $80.61 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.93 | $91.87 |
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.