Origin
Lake Saint Louis, MO
Late night in Lake Saint Louis on Friday
Local time
1:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake Saint Louis, MO to Saint Joseph, MO
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
5h 5m
Distance
269.2 mi
433 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 52m
★
6 AM
5h 6m
8 AM
5h 33m
10 AM
5h 15m
12 PM
5h 12m
3 PM
5h 16m
5 PM
5h 31m
8 PM
4h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Saint Louis, MO
Amicia Short
Saint Joseph, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 269.2-mile journey from Lake Saint Louis, MO, to Saint Joseph, MO, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 5 hours and 5 minutes of driving time. You'll be navigating primarily along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, with about 20% of the route being on these main roads. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is $42, making it a budget-friendly option for exploring more of the Midwest. Given its manageable duration and the single stop recommended, this route offers a straightforward way to travel between these two Missouri locations without needing an overnight stay.
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
134.6 miles from Lake Saint Louis, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 5m. Total distance: 269.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a drive characterized by frequent turns and a local feel, rather than a continuous interstate cruise. While 20% of the route utilizes main highways like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, the overall profile leans towards a more varied driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 82.6 miles, also on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This suggests a route that may involve more varied speed limits and road conditions as you transition between sections, offering a more engaging drive than a pure highway slog.
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 82.6 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 0.7 miles in near Veterans Memorial Parkway.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 269.2 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 0.7 miles (Veterans Memorial Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Veterans Memorial Parkway
At end of road, turn left onto Veterans Memorial Parkway
Navigation decision point
6
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 70 West
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Merge onto I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
204.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m 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
236 mi into trip
|
~4h 28m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | 82.6 mi | 1h 37m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 54.3 mi | 58m |
| 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 |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 82.6 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Saint Louis, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on Savoy Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Savoy Drive
2
Turn right onto De Loire Drive
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
De Loire Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto Veterans Memorial Parkway
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Veterans Memorial Parkway
4
Turn right
344 ft
·
13 sec
5
Continue on MO A
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Highway A
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 70 West
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 70
83 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight lane.
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
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Lake Saint Louis to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight hours. With a single recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $42, you can easily complete this trip in one day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 82.6 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, as services can be more spaced out on local roads. This route's turn-heavy nature means paying close attention to navigation will be key to a smooth journey.
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 134.6 miles from Lake Saint Louis, MO, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.6 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 59 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.6 miles or 2h 36m 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 11m
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 Lake Saint Louis, 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 Lake Saint Louis, MO
This is one driving day of about 269.2 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Lake Saint Louis, 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 82.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 134.6 mi from Lake Saint Louis, MO · 2h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 134.6 miles from Lake Saint Louis, 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 82.6 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
$42.09 one way
$84.17 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $46.21 | $92.42 |
| premium | $4.89 | $51.81 | $103.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.44 | $118.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.8 | 0 | $28.27 | $12.92 |
| Efficient EV | 67.3 | 0 | $23.55 | $10.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.7 | 1 | $37.69 | $17.23 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Late night in Saint Joseph on Friday
Local time
1:16 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
17 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
5h 5m 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 Lake Saint Louis, MO to Saint Joseph, MO covers 269.2 miles and takes about 5h 5m 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, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 134.6 miles from Lake Saint Louis, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.09 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 269.2 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 0.7 miles (Veterans Memorial Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lake Saint Louis, MO to Saint Joseph, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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