Trip from Dellwood, MO to Saint Joseph, MO

Drive Time

5h 41m

Distance

298.4 mi

480 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Dellwood, MO

Momo King

Saint Joseph, MO

Andrés Oliver Joya Zapata

Trip Overview

Traversing Missouri from Dellwood to Saint Joseph covers 298.4 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 41 minutes of travel time. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you can comfortably complete the trip without needing an overnight stay. Your route primarily utilizes I-70, I-435, and I-29 to navigate across the state. Expect to set aside approximately $45 for fuel expenses to cover the distance. This drive stays entirely within the Midwest, offering a straightforward connection between these two Missouri locations. It is a practical, efficient path for travelers who prioritize speed and direct highway access over backroad exploration.

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

149.2 miles from Dellwood, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 93% of the journey spent on high-speed interstates. You will settle into a long, steady rhythm for the majority of the trip, highlighted by a significant 221.4-mile stretch along I-70. While the road personality is largely defined by the interstate grind, the transition between these major arteries keeps the experience moving at a consistent pace. You can anticipate a predictable, high-speed environment that requires steady focus rather than technical maneuvering. By sticking to these major thoroughfares, you ensure the most direct path to your destination in Saint Joseph.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 70 is the longest continuous segment at about 221.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and I 29. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in near I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 298.4 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 3.3 miles (I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

3.3 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway

Merge onto I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

4.1 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the exit toward I 70 West: Kansas City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 7B Toward I 70 West: Kansas City

4.5 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 70

Merge onto I 70

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

234.1 mi into trip | ~4h 28m in

Take the exit toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des Moines

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 8B Toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des Moines

265.2 mi into trip | ~5h 3m 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

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 70	221.4 mi	4h 12m
I 29	26 mi	27m
I 435	20.9 mi	22m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway	7.8 mi	9m
I 229	5.7 mi	6m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway	5.6 mi	6m
Airport Road	1.8 mi	2m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway	1.8 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 70 — 221.4 mi, about 4h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dellwood, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.

Start on Chambers Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Chambers Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on Hereford Avenue

0.4 mi · 39 sec · Hereford Avenue

Use the none lane.

Continue on Airport Road

1.8 mi · 2 min · Airport Road

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 19 sec

Toward I 170 South

Merge onto I 170

0.8 mi · 59 sec · Inner Belt Expressway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec

Exit 7B Toward I 70 West: Kansas City Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 70

221 mi · 4 hr 12 min · I 70

Use the straight lane.

Continue on I 70

2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 70

1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 70

2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 70

0.8 mi · 58 sec · George Brett Super Highway

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 2 min

Exit 8B Toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 435; US 24

7.8 mi · 9 min · Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I435 N

1.3 mi · 1 min · I435 N

Continue on I 435

21 mi · 22 min · I 435

Use the none lane.

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.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 54 sec

Exit 43 Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph

Continue on I 229

5.7 mi · 6 min · I 229

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Exit 6A Toward Central Business District

Continue on Edmond Street

0.5 mi · 57 sec · Edmond Street

Turn left onto I 29 Business

0.2 mi · 20 sec · South 10th Street

Turn right onto I 29 Business

379 ft · 6 sec · Frederick Avenue

Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue

137 ft · 2 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue

Arrive at destination

Walter Welsh Avenue

Trip Plan

To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the nearly six-hour duration. Because the vast majority of this route is on major interstates, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the heaviest peak-hour traffic near metropolitan hubs. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially before starting that long 221.4-mile stretch on I-70, as maintaining a full tank will help you avoid unnecessary detours. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time to suit your personal pace. Making your primary rest break midway through the journey is the best way to maintain focus until you reach Saint Joseph.

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 149.2 miles from Dellwood, MO, or about 2h 51m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 221.4 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 32m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 149.2 miles or 2h 51m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 41m

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 Dellwood, 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 Dellwood, MO

This is one driving day of about 298.4 miles and 5h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dellwood, 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 I 70 for about 221.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 149.2 mi from Dellwood, MO · 2h 51m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Quincy, IL

149 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

Alton, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Quincy, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 149.2 miles from Dellwood, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 221.4 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

$45.32 one way

$90.65 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 104 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$49.96	$99.93
premium	$4.80	$56.33	$112.66
diesel	$5.64	$66.29	$132.59

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 104.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	89.5	1	$31.33	$14.32
Efficient EV	74.6	0	$26.11	$11.94
EV Truck/SUV	119.4	1	$41.78	$19.10

Gas CO2

104 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Dellwood, MO

Afternoon in Dellwood on Sunday

Local time

2:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Saint Joseph, MO

Afternoon in Saint Joseph on Sunday

Local time

2:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

55°F

Quincy, IL

149 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

35 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

5h 41m 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 Dellwood, MO to Saint Joseph, MO covers 298.4 miles and takes about 5h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 70, I 29, I 435. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 149.2 miles from Dellwood, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.32 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.

The route from Dellwood, MO to Saint Joseph, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Dellwood, MO to Saint Joseph, MO

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Saint Joseph, MO

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Dellwood, MO

Saint Joseph, MO

Same local time

35 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 41m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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