Origin
Camdenton, MO
Afternoon in Camdenton on Sunday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Camdenton, MO to Saint Joseph, MO
Drive Time
4h 20m
Distance
205.7 mi
331 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 7m
★
6 AM
4h 21m
8 AM
4h 47m
10 AM
4h 30m
12 PM
4h 27m
3 PM
4h 31m
5 PM
4h 46m
8 PM
4h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Camdenton, MO
Change C.C
Saint Joseph, MO
Andrés Oliver Joya Zapata
Trip Overview
Traveling from Camdenton to Saint Joseph covers 205.7 miles across the Missouri heartland. You should budget approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes of drive time, making this a straightforward day trip that doesn't necessarily require an overnight stay. Expect to spend about $31 in fuel for the journey, which relies heavily on a combination of MO 7, MO 5, and I-29. Because the route is 98% highway-focused, it is designed for efficiency rather than leisurely wandering. Whether you are heading north for business or personal travel, this itinerary offers a reliable transit path through the Midwest.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
102.8 miles from Camdenton, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive defined by high-speed efficiency, as the route is comprised of 98% highway travel. You will spend a significant portion of your time on MO 7, which features the trip's longest uninterrupted stretch of 142.8 miles. As you transition between these main arteries, the character of the road remains consistent and geared toward steady cruising. Navigating these regional highways requires focus, though the infrastructure is well-suited for a direct haul. The experience is primarily an interstate and state highway grind, prioritizing distance over technical, winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MO 7 is the longest continuous segment at about 142.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 7 and I 29. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 205.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.5 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the exit toward MO 5 North, MO 7 North: Sunrise Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward MO 5 North, MO 7 North: Sunrise Beach
7
113.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
MO 7
Take the exit onto MO 7 toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kan...
7
151.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward 11th Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 11th Street, Downtown
7
157.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport, Saint Joseph
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport,...
8
172.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m in
|
I 29; US 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71 toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
Towns Along This Route
Between Camdenton, MO and Saint Joseph, MO, road signs point toward Clinton, Downtown and Parkville.
Clinton
46 mi in
|
~1h 5m
|
via MO 7
Downtown
151.5 mi in
|
~3h 15m
Parkville
155.4 mi in
|
~3h 22m
|
via MO 9
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MO 7 | 142.8 mi | 3h 3m |
| I 29 | 40.2 mi | 44m |
| MO 5 | 7.7 mi | 9m |
| I 229 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| MO 9 | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| US 169 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| US 54 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Edmond Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
MO 7
— 142.8 mi, about 3h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camdenton, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on US 54
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 54
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward MO 5 North, MO 7 North: Sunrise Beach
Use the left lane.
3
Merge onto MO 5; MO 7
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
MO 5; MO 7
4
Turn left onto MO 7
37 mi
·
53 min
·
MO 7
5
Take the exit onto MO 7
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
MO 7
Toward MO 7 North: Warsaw, Clinton
6
Turn left onto MO 7
28 mi
·
38 min
·
MO 7
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on MO 7; MO 13; MO 52
39 mi
·
44 min
·
MO 7; MO 13; MO 52
8
Take the exit onto MO 7
38 mi
·
45 min
·
MO 7
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
Toward 11th Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
425 ft
·
16 sec
·
East 11th Street
Use the left / none lanes.
11
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Charlotte Street
12
Turn left onto East 9th Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
East 9th Street
13
Turn right onto Locust Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Locust Street
14
Continue on MO 9
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
MO 9
Use the none lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 9
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
MO 9
Toward MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 169 North: Smithville
17
Continue on US 169
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US 169
Use the none lane.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport, Saint Joseph
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Merge onto I 29; US 71
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 29; US 71
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
2.7 mi
·
2 min
·
I 29; I 435; US 71
Use the none lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71
26 mi
·
27 min
·
I 29; US 71
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
Use the none lane.
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 43
Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
23
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
I 229
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 6A
Toward Central Business District
25
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Edmond Street
26
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South 10th Street
27
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft
·
6 sec
·
Frederick Avenue
28
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft
·
2 sec
·
Walter Welsh Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day trip, planning for one strategic stop is ideal to break up the 4-hour and 20-minute journey. Aim to depart early in the morning to avoid any potential congestion on the more heavily traveled sections of I-29. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that 142.8-mile stretch on MO 7, as service stations may be spaced further apart than on major interstates. Flexibility is your best asset here; because the duration is manageable, you can easily adjust your pace to accommodate traffic or weather conditions. Always double-check your route before heading out, as shifting between state highways and interstates requires clear navigation.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 102.8 miles from Camdenton, MO, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.8 miles or 2h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Joseph, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Camdenton, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Camdenton, MO
This is one driving day of about 205.7 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Camdenton, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on MO 7 for about 142.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 102.8 mi from Camdenton, MO · 2h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
103 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 102.8 miles from Camdenton, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before MO 7 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 142.8 miles.
Arriving in Saint Joseph, MO
The final approach into Saint Joseph, MO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Saint Joseph, MO.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.24 one way
$62.49 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $34.44 | $68.89 |
| premium | $4.80 | $38.83 | $77.66 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $45.70 | $91.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.7 | 0 | $21.60 | $9.87 |
| Efficient EV | 51.4 | 0 | $18.00 | $8.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.3 | 1 | $28.80 | $13.16 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Afternoon in Saint Joseph on Sunday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
41°F
Warsaw, MO
103 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
31 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 20m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Camdenton, MO to Saint Joseph, MO covers 205.7 miles and takes about 4h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MO 7, I 29, MO 5. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 102.8 miles from Camdenton, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.24 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 205.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.5 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Camdenton, MO and Saint Joseph, MO, road signs point toward Clinton, Downtown and Parkville.
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