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

The driving distance from Saint Joseph, MO to Wardsville, MO is about 221.3 miles (356.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 168.3 miles (270.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 16m 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
221.35 mi
04h 08m
Flight
168.31 mi
270.87 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
168.31 mi
Kilometers
270.87 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
221.35 mi
Kilometers
356.23 km
Drive Time
04h 08m

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 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wardsville
Sun, May 3, 9:28 AM CDT
Return by in Saint Joseph
Sun, May 3, 1:37 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Joseph
2026-05-03T05:20
Arrive Wardsville
Sun, May 3, 9:28 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:08 AM to 12:08 PM CDT

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

Leave by
8:44 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

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
Aullville
MO

Human settlement in Lafayette County, Missouri, United States of America

From Saint Joseph
110.5 mi
02h 04m
To Wardsville
110.8 mi
02h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 14 mph W
Destination
39°F
Overnight

Clear

Starts
Sun, May 3 3:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 right to continue on I 435 East: Saint Louis

    28 mi · 31 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex

    1500 ft · 23 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 70 East: Saint Louis

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 70 East: Saint Louis

    143 m · 12 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto George Brett Super Highway

    2213 ft · 29 sec · George Brett Super Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  18. 18

    Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway

  19. 19

    Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  20. 20

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  21. 21

    Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

    32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

  22. 22

    Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

    22.4 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

  23. 23

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  24. 24

    Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

  25. 25

    Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Jefferson City, Moberly

    748 ft · 16 sec

  27. 27

    Turn slight right onto US 63 South: Jefferson City

    59 m · 4 sec

  28. 28

    Merge slight left

    159 m · 12 sec

  29. 29

    Take the exit straight toward US 63 South: Jefferson City

    2329 ft · 50 sec

  30. 30

    Merge slight left

    27.1 mi · 29 min

  31. 31

    Take the exit slight right toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City

    3.8 mi · 5 min

  32. 32

    Take the exit slight right toward MO C

    946 ft · 32 sec

  33. 33

    Turn left onto Southwest Boulevard

    136 m · 15 sec · Southwest Boulevard

  34. 34

    Continue on Ellis Boulevard

    970 ft · 29 sec · Ellis Boulevard

  35. 35

    Turn right onto Lorenzo Green Drive

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Lorenzo Green Drive

  36. 36

    Turn left

    3.5 mi · 6 min

  37. 37

    Keep slight left

    59 m · 12 sec

  38. 38

    Turn left

    104 m · 7 sec

  39. 39

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
39 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
13
7 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 25%
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
54.3 mi · 25%
I 29 South
28.7 mi · 13%
I 435 East
28 mi · 13%
US 63 South
27.7 mi · 13%
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.56 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

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.

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
04h 08m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+53 mi
168.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Aullville
02h 04m from Saint Joseph
Leave By
8:44 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Saint Joseph and Clear near Wardsville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 221.3 miles (356.2 km) and usually takes 04h 08m 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 110.5 miles from Saint Joseph and 110.8 miles from Wardsville.

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

The direct path is about 168.3 miles (270.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 53 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 8:44 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.45 one way or $58.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Saint Joseph and Clear near Wardsville.

Stop Ideas Near Aullville

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

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

RAIL

Warrensburg

29 mi away
100 South Holden St.
RAIL

Sedalia

52 mi away
100 block of Main Street, through parking lot
RAIL

Lee's Summit

62 mi away
217 SW Main St.
RAIL

Independence

65 mi away
600 South Grand Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Joseph and Wardsville. Straight-line distance: 168.31 mi (270.87 km).

Saint Joseph

#1 Saint Joseph

The most populous city in Buchanan County, Missouri.

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

#2 Wardsville

Human settlement in Cole County, Missouri, United States of America

Population1,570
Coordinates38.4889200, -92.1743500
Altitude238
CountryUnited States
Start: Saint Joseph (-94.84663, 39.76861)
End: Wardsville (-92.17435, 38.48892)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 356 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 45m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.81 gal
29.57 L · about $29.45
Round trip
$58.90
15.62 gal · 59.14 L
Estimated CO2
69.4 kg one way
Round trip: 138.8 kg / 306 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $29.45 $58.90
Mid-grade $4.25 $33.22 $66.43
Premium $4.65 $36.35 $72.70
Diesel $5.30 $41.42 $82.85

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 · May 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Saint Joseph and Wardsville. The current time is 05:20:44.

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.