How far is University City, MO from Saint Joseph, MO?
The driving distance from University City, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is about 301.6 miles (485.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 254.8 miles (410 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 Cooper County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between University City and Saint Joseph.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between University City and Saint Joseph.
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1
Start on Kingsland Avenue
53 m · 15 sec · Kingsland Avenue
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2
Continue on Kingsland Avenue
2570 ft · 1 min · Kingsland Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Olive Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Olive Boulevard
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4
Turn right onto Midland Boulevard
3076 ft · 1 min · Midland Boulevard
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5
Turn slight right onto North Hanley Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · North Hanley Road
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6
Turn left onto Saint Charles Rock Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Saint Charles Rock Road
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 170 North
1417 ft · 21 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Inner Belt Expressway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Inner Belt Expressway
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9
Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West: Kansas City
2159 ft · 37 sec
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10
Merge slight right
221.6 mi · 4 hr 12 min
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11
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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12
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
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13
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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14
Continue on George Brett Super Highway
1.4 km · 58 sec · George Brett Super Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des Moines
1.1 mi · 2 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
7.8 mi · 9 min · Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
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17
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi · 1 min · I435 N
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18
Continue straight
20.9 mi · 22 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
26 mi · 28 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
2673 ft · 54 sec
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21
Continue straight
5.7 mi · 7 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Central Business District
1382 ft · 34 sec
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23
Continue on Edmond Street
2408 ft · 58 sec · Edmond Street
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24
Turn left onto South 10th Street
841 ft · 21 sec · South 10th Street
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25
Turn right onto Frederick Avenue
116 m · 6 sec · Frederick Avenue
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26
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
42 m · 3 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between University City and Saint Joseph.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 70 West
Merge slight right
222 mi · 04h 12m
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.
Sunny leaving University City and Sunny near Saint Joseph.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from University City to Saint Joseph?
The road trip is about 301.6 miles (485.3 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?
Pilot Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 150 miles from University City and 151.5 miles from Saint Joseph.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 254.8 miles (410 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.8 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 7:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.12 one way or $80.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around University City and Sunny near Saint Joseph.
Stop Ideas Near Pilot Grove
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 Pilot Grove.
Sedalia
Jefferson City
Warrensburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between University City and Saint Joseph. Straight-line distance: 254.74 mi (409.97 km).
#1 University City
Suburb in St.
| Population | 34,165 |
| Coordinates | 38.6558800, -90.3092800 |
| Altitude | 161 |
| 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: 485 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.12 | $80.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.25 | $90.50 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $49.52 | $99.04 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $56.43 | $112.87 |
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 · May 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.