How far is West Plains, MO from Saint Joseph, MO?
The driving distance from West Plains, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is about 337 miles (542.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 265.5 miles (427.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 22m 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 05h 11m.
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.
Human settlement in St.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Plains and Saint Joseph.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Plains and Saint Joseph.
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1
Start on Court Square
16 m · 2 sec · Court Square
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2
Turn left onto Court Square
1.1 km · 2 min · Court Square
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3
Continue on Porter Wagoner Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Porter Wagoner Boulevard
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4
Turn left onto Gibson Street
1277 ft · 22 sec · Gibson Street
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5
Turn right onto Jan Howard Expressway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Jan Howard Expressway
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6
Continue on Porter Wagoner Boulevard
1.2 km · 59 sec · Porter Wagoner Boulevard
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7
Continue on Sunset Terrace
66.2 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Sunset Terrace
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8
Continue straight
30.5 mi · 36 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 North: Sedalia
1511 ft · 32 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway
8.1 mi · 10 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 44 West: Joplin
1.3 km · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Payne Stewart Highway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward MO 13: Bolivar
596 ft · 15 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on MO 13: Bolivar
46 m · 4 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on MO 13 North: Bolivar
64 m · 7 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto North Kansas Expressway
87.2 mi · 1 hr 43 min · North Kansas Expressway
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17
Continue straight
35.9 mi · 39 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
37.9 mi · 46 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward 11th Street, Downtown
1637 ft · 26 sec
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20
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
130 m · 16 sec · East 11th Street
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21
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
888 ft · 23 sec · Charlotte Street
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22
Turn left onto East 9th Street
977 ft · 23 sec · East 9th Street
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23
Turn right onto Locust Street
691 ft · 18 sec · Locust Street
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24
Continue straight
3 mi · 6 min
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25
Keep slight left to continue on MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
1.4 km · 2 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward US 169 North: Smithville
1540 ft · 24 sec
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27
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
28
Take the exit slight left toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport, Saint Joseph
2441 ft · 60 sec
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29
Merge slight right
11.5 mi · 13 min
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30
Merge slight left
2.7 mi · 3 min
-
31
Keep slight left to continue on I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
26 mi · 28 min
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32
Take the exit slight right toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
2673 ft · 54 sec
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33
Continue straight
5.7 mi · 7 min
-
34
Take the exit slight right toward Central Business District
1382 ft · 34 sec
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35
Continue on Edmond Street
2408 ft · 58 sec · Edmond Street
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36
Turn left onto South 10th Street
841 ft · 21 sec · South 10th Street
-
37
Turn right onto Frederick Avenue
116 m · 6 sec · Frederick Avenue
-
38
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
42 m · 3 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
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39
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Plains and Saint Joseph.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
North Kansas Expressway
Merge slight left onto North Kansas Expressway
87.2 mi · 01h 43m
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 West Plains and Mostly Sunny near Saint Joseph.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Plains to Saint Joseph?
The road trip is about 337 miles (542.3 km) and usually takes 05h 11m 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?
Collins is a useful midpoint, sitting about 164.7 miles from West Plains and 172.3 miles from Saint Joseph.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 265.5 miles (427.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 71.5 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 6:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $44.84 one way or $89.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 105.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around West Plains and Mostly Sunny near Saint Joseph.
Stop Ideas Near Collins
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 Collins.
Warrensburg
Sedalia
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Plains and Saint Joseph. Straight-line distance: 265.54 mi (427.34 km).
#1 West Plains
City in Missouri, United States
| Population | 12,383 |
| Coordinates | 36.7281200, -91.8523700 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| 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: 542 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $44.84 | $89.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $50.57 | $101.14 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $55.34 | $110.67 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $63.06 | $126.13 |
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 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.