Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 23m
Distance
66.5 mi
107 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Independence, MO
Momo King
Saint Joseph, MO
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from East Independence, MO to Saint Joseph, MO covers 66.5 miles and takes about 1h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 29, MO 291, MO 152 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 33.5 miles on I 29. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.40 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 23m. Total distance: 66.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 1h 23m highway drive covering 66.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 29 and MO 291. The longest continuous stretch is about 33.5 miles on I 29.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 29 and MO 291. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Road.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 66.5 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Road): Navigation decision point; at 25.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.3 miles (I 29; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Main Road
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71 toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit toward Central Business District
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 29 | 33.5 mi | 35m |
| MO 291 | 11.6 mi | 17m |
| MO 152 | 11.1 mi | 13m |
| I 229 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| East Truman Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| West Kansas Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Edmond Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Main Road | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between East Independence, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
Start on East 9th Street South
Turn left onto Main Road
Turn right onto East Truman Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto MO 291
Turn left onto West Kansas Street
Continue on MO 152
Take the exit
Merge onto I 29; US 71
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71
Take the exit
Continue on I 229
Take the exit
Continue on Edmond Street
Turn left onto I 29 Business
Turn right onto I 29 Business
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.2 mi from East Independence, MO · 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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.
A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 33.2 miles from East Independence, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$10.40 one way
$20.79 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $11.41 | $22.83 |
| premium | $4.89 | $12.80 | $25.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.68 | $29.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20 | 0 | $6.98 | $3.19 |
| Efficient EV | 16.6 | 0 | $5.82 | $2.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.6 | 0 | $9.31 | $4.26 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in East Independence on Friday
Local time
6:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
Destination
Morning in Saint Joseph on Friday
Local time
6:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from East Independence, MO or browse trips ending in Saint Joseph, MO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.
