Origin
Doniphan, MO
Afternoon in Doniphan on Sunday
Local time
2:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Doniphan, MO to Saint Joseph, MO
Drive Time
8h 8m
Distance
406.7 mi
655 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$62
one way
Doniphan, MO
Lena Khrupina
Saint Joseph, MO
Andrés Oliver Joya Zapata
Trip Overview
Spanning 406.7 miles across Missouri, this trek from Doniphan to Saint Joseph takes approximately 8 hours and 8 minutes of pure driving time. Because of the length, you should plan for a two-day itinerary rather than attempting it in a single push. You will primarily navigate via US 60, the North Kansas Expressway, and MO 7, keeping your budget in mind with an estimated $62 fuel cost. Since this is a highway-focused journey, it is best suited for travelers who prefer consistent momentum over frequent backroad detours. Breaking the trip into two days allows you to manage the distance comfortably while moving through the heart of the Midwest.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
203.4 miles from Doniphan, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a consistent, highway-focused experience, as 98% of your journey stays on major routes. You will settle into a steady rhythm on US 60, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 153 miles. Transitioning between the North Kansas Expressway and MO 7 ensures that you maintain high speeds for the majority of the 406.7-mile drive. While the road personality is largely defined by efficient, high-speed transit, the environment remains reliable and straightforward. You won't find many technical turns here, making it a predictable route for those who want to cover significant ground quickly.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 60 is the longest continuous segment at about 153 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 60 and North Kansas Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 191.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 406.7 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 191.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 191.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 314.6 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
191.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MO 13: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
7
191.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
7
314.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 17m 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
352.5 mi into trip
|
~7h 2m 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
8
373.5 mi into trip
|
~7h 30m 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 Doniphan, MO and Saint Joseph, MO, road signs point toward Downtown and Parkville.
Downtown
352.5 mi in
|
~7h 2m
Parkville
356.4 mi in
|
~7h 10m
|
via MO 9
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 60 | 153 mi | 2h 59m |
| North Kansas Expressway | 87.2 mi | 1h 42m |
| MO 7 | 73.9 mi | 1h 24m |
| I 29 | 40.2 mi | 44m |
| MO 21 | 22.4 mi | 33m |
| Schoolcraft Freeway | 8.1 mi | 10m |
| I 229 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| Payne Stewart Highway | 4.1 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
US 60
— 153 mi, about 2h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Doniphan, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on Plum Street
169 ft
·
9 sec
·
Plum Street
2
Turn right onto MO 142
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Walnut Street
3
Turn right onto US 160; MO 21
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 160; MO 21
4
Continue on MO 21
22 mi
·
33 min
·
MO 21
5
Turn left onto US 60; MO 21
57 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
US 60; MO 21
6
Continue on US 60; MO 17
26 mi
·
30 min
·
US 60; MO 17
7
Continue on US 60; US 63
71 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
US 60; US 63
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward US 65 North: Sedalia
9
Merge onto US 65
8.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Schoolcraft Freeway
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 44 West: Joplin
11
Merge onto I 44
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Payne Stewart Highway
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
13
Keep slight left at fork
150 ft
·
3 sec
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
14
Keep slight right at fork
209 ft
·
7 sec
Exit 77
Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
15
Merge onto MO 13
87 mi
·
1 hr 42 min
·
North Kansas Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on MO 7
36 mi
·
39 min
·
MO 7
17
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.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
Toward 11th Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
425 ft
·
16 sec
·
East 11th Street
Use the left / none lanes.
20
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Charlotte Street
21
Turn left onto East 9th Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
East 9th Street
22
Turn right onto Locust Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Locust Street
23
Continue on MO 9
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
MO 9
Use the none lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 9
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
MO 9
Toward MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 169 North: Smithville
26
Continue on US 169
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US 169
Use the none lane.
27
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.
28
Merge onto I 29; US 71
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 29; US 71
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
29
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
2.7 mi
·
2 min
·
I 29; I 435; US 71
Use the none lane.
30
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.
31
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 43
Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
32
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
I 229
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 6A
Toward Central Business District
34
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Edmond Street
35
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South 10th Street
36
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft
·
6 sec
·
Frederick Avenue
37
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft
·
2 sec
·
Walter Welsh Avenue
38
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
To keep your drive manageable, aim to break up the 8-hour duration with at least two planned stops. Since you are traveling across the state, consider your departure time carefully to avoid peak traffic near the urban stretches of the North Kansas Expressway. With a fuel budget of $62, it is wise to top off your tank before starting your longest 153-mile stretch on US 60 to avoid any stress in more remote sections. Prioritize your comfort by splitting the trip over two days, which allows you to arrive in Saint Joseph feeling refreshed rather than fatigued. By sticking to this paced approach, you can navigate the highway-heavy terrain with confidence and ease.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 203.4 miles from Doniphan, MO, or about 4h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 89 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 203.4 miles or 4h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 203.4 miles or 4h 8m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 55m
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 Doniphan, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Doniphan, MO
Aim for roughly 203 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Saint Joseph, MO
Aim for roughly 203 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Doniphan, MO.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 60 for about 153 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 203.4 mi from Doniphan, MO · 4h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
203 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Bentonville, AROvernight Options
Night 1
203 mi · about 4.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Bentonville, AR after about 203 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 89 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 203.4 miles from Doniphan, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 153 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 203 miles or 4.1 hours on the road.
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.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Saint Joseph, MO with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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
$61.77 one way
$123.55 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
142 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $68.10 | $136.20 |
| premium | $4.80 | $76.78 | $153.55 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $90.35 | $180.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$192–$302
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 142.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 122 | 1 | $42.70 | $19.52 |
| Efficient EV | 101.7 | 1 | $35.59 | $16.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 162.7 | 2 | $56.94 | $26.03 |
Gas CO2
142 kg
EV CO2
48 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.
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Afternoon in Saint Joseph on Sunday
Local time
2:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
17 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
8h 8m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Doniphan, MO to Saint Joseph, MO covers 406.7 miles and takes about 8h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 60, North Kansas Expressway, MO 7. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 203 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 203.4 miles from Doniphan, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $61.77 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 27 significant decision points across 406.7 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 191.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 191.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 314.6 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Doniphan, MO and Saint Joseph, MO, road signs point toward Downtown and Parkville.
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