How far is Union, MO from Saint Joseph, MO?
The driving distance from Union, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is about 279.9 miles (450.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 225 miles (362.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 07m 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 33m.
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.
City in Saline County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Union and Saint Joseph.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union and Saint Joseph.
-
1
Start on the route
19 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn right onto East Park Avenue
900 ft · 31 sec · East Park Avenue
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3
Turn left onto North Church Street
1.1 km · 2 min · North Church Street
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4
Turn right onto East Independence Drive
63 m · 11 sec · East Independence Drive
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5
Turn left
29.9 mi · 45 min
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6
Take the ramp left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesburg
1032 ft · 13 sec
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7
Merge slight left
176.4 mi · 3 hr 14 min
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8
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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9
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
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10
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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11
Continue on George Brett Super Highway
1.4 km · 58 sec · George Brett Super Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des Moines
1.1 mi · 2 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
7.8 mi · 9 min · Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
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14
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi · 1 min · I435 N
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15
Continue straight
20.9 mi · 22 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
26 mi · 28 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
2673 ft · 54 sec
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18
Continue straight
5.7 mi · 7 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Central Business District
1382 ft · 34 sec
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20
Continue on Edmond Street
2408 ft · 58 sec · Edmond Street
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21
Turn left onto South 10th Street
841 ft · 21 sec · South 10th Street
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22
Turn right onto Frederick Avenue
116 m · 6 sec · Frederick Avenue
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23
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
42 m · 3 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Union and Saint Joseph.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 70 West
Merge slight left
176 mi · 03h 14m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Union and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Saint Joseph.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Union to Saint Joseph?
The road trip is about 279.9 miles (450.5 km) and usually takes 04h 33m 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?
Nelson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139.8 miles from Union and 140.1 miles from Saint Joseph.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 225 miles (362.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.9 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 7:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.26 one way or $74.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Union and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Saint Joseph.
Stop Ideas Near Nelson
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 Nelson.
Sedalia
Warrensburg
Jefferson City
Lee's Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Union and Saint Joseph. Straight-line distance: 225.01 mi (362.12 km).
#1 Union
City in and county seat of Franklin County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 12,094 |
| Coordinates | 38.4500500, -91.0084800 |
| Altitude | 162 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Saint Joseph
The most populous city in Buchanan County, Missouri.
| Population | 74,074 |
| Coordinates | 39.7686100, -94.8466300 |
| Altitude | 270 |
| Country | United States |
End: Walter Welsh Avenue (-94.846632, 39.768853)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 450 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.26 | $74.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.02 | $84.04 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $45.98 | $91.96 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $52.40 | $104.81 |
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.