How far is Vandalia, MO from Saint Joseph, MO?
The driving distance from Vandalia, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is about 212.8 miles (342.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 181.7 miles (292.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 05m 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 03h 32m.
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 Linn 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 Vandalia and Saint Joseph.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vandalia and Saint Joseph.
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1
Start on North Main Street
15 m · 3 sec · North Main Street
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2
Turn right onto US 54
8.9 mi · 12 min · US 54
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
9 m · 1 sec
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4
Exit the roundabout
10.3 mi · 12 min
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5
Turn left
8.8 mi · 13 min
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6
Turn right
2.7 mi · 5 min
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7
Turn left
8.9 mi · 12 min
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8
At the end of the road, turn left
1.8 mi · 3 min
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9
Turn right
51 m · 3 sec
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10
Turn left
1.2 mi · 2 min
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11
Continue straight
14.1 mi · 21 min
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12
Turn straight onto South Center Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Center Street
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13
Take the ramp left toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Macon
1333 ft · 18 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
126.7 mi · 2 hr 27 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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15
Continue straight
13.4 mi · 15 min
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16
Continue straight
13.1 mi · 16 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 29 Business
708 ft · 18 sec
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18
Turn slight left onto South 10th Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South 10th Street
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19
Turn right onto Frederick Avenue
116 m · 6 sec · Frederick Avenue
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20
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
42 m · 3 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Vandalia 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.
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
127 mi · 02h 27m
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 Vandalia 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 Vandalia to Saint Joseph?
The road trip is about 212.8 miles (342.4 km) and usually takes 03h 32m 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?
Bucklin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.2 miles from Vandalia and 106.5 miles from Saint Joseph.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 181.7 miles (292.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.1 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 9:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.32 one way or $56.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Vandalia and Sunny near Saint Joseph.
Stop Ideas Near Bucklin
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 Bucklin.
La Plata
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Vandalia and Saint Joseph. Straight-line distance: 181.7 mi (292.41 km).
#1 Vandalia
City in Audrain and Ralls Counties, Missouri, USA
| Population | 3,496 |
| Coordinates | 39.3108700, -91.4884900 |
| Altitude | 232 |
| 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: 342 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $28.32 | $56.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.94 | $63.88 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $34.95 | $69.90 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $39.83 | $79.67 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.