Origin
Fulton, MO
Morning in Fulton on Thursday
Local time
11:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fulton, MO to Saint Joseph, MO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 55m
Distance
208.2 mi
335 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 42m
★
6 AM
3h 55m
8 AM
4h 21m
10 AM
4h 4m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 6m
5 PM
4h 20m
8 PM
3h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fulton, MO
Yaroslav Shuraev
Saint Joseph, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 208.2-mile journey from Fulton to Saint Joseph, Missouri, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 55 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and I-29, with about 26% of the drive being on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $33. Given its relatively short duration and straightforward path through the Midwest, it's a practical choice for a quick getaway or an efficient transit between these two Missouri cities. You'll likely find this drive to be a turn-heavy local experience, so plan for a bit more engagement than a pure interstate cruise.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
104.1 miles from Fulton, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 208.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (26%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a drive characterized by frequent turns, typical of local routes, rather than a monotonous interstate grind. While 26% of the journey utilizes highways, much of your time will be spent on roads that require more active navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 62.7 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a brief period of consistent travel. The road profile suggests a dynamic driving experience, transitioning between different types of roadways as you make your way across Missouri.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 62.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 14.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 208.2 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 14.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175 miles (I 29; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
14.9 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
8
143.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m 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
6
175 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
5
201 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 43
Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
5
207.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 53m in
Take the exit toward Central Business District
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 6A
Toward Central Business District
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 62.7 mi | 1h 8m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| I 29 | 26 mi | 27m |
| I 435 | 20.9 mi | 22m |
| Martin Luther King Junior Drive | 10.2 mi | 14m |
| Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| I 229 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 62.7 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fulton, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on Court Street
24 ft
·
3 sec
·
Court Street
2
Turn right onto West 4th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West 4th Street
3
Continue on MO F
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Martin Luther King Junior Drive
4
Continue on MO J
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
MO J
5
Turn right onto MO J
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
MO J
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
7
Merge onto I 70; US 40
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
9
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi
·
58 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13
Continue on I 70
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
14
Continue on I 70
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 70
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
16
Continue on I 70
0.8 mi
·
58 sec
·
George Brett Super Highway
17
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.
18
Merge onto I 435; US 24
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
19
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I435 N
20
Continue on I 435
21 mi
·
22 min
·
I 435
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
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
With a total duration under four hours, this drive is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and potentially avoid heavier traffic. You'll have about 62.7 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway as your longest continuous stretch, so consider refueling before you hit that segment if your tank is low. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, staying alert and keeping your GPS handy will be beneficial for navigating the numerous turns. Plan for one stop to break up the journey and stretch your legs.
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 104.1 miles from Fulton, MO, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.7 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 46 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.1 miles or 1h 58m 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 13m
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 Fulton, 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 Fulton, MO
This is one driving day of about 208.2 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Fulton, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 62.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 104.1 mi from Fulton, MO · 1h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 104.1 miles from Fulton, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.7 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.55 one way
$65.10 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $35.74 | $71.48 |
| premium | $4.89 | $40.07 | $80.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $45.97 | $91.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.5 | 0 | $21.86 | $9.99 |
| Efficient EV | 52.1 | 0 | $18.22 | $8.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.3 | 1 | $29.15 | $13.32 |
Gas CO2
73 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
Morning in Saint Joseph on Thursday
Local time
11:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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.
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
19 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 55m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fulton, MO to Saint Joseph, MO covers 208.2 miles and takes about 3h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, I 29. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 104.1 miles from Fulton, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.55 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 208.2 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175 miles (I 29; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Fulton, MO to Saint Joseph, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Saint Joseph, MO
More trips to Saint Joseph, MO
Explore more options from Fulton, MO or browse trips ending in Saint Joseph, MO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.
Explore maps for Fulton, MO or Saint Joseph, MO on MapSof.net.