Piedmont, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is 397 miles and takes about 7h 54m via US 60 and MO 7, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within the Midwest, traversing Missouri from southeast to northwest. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip designed for efficient travel. Given the 7-hour-plus duration, it's a long day of driving, but completing it in one go is definitely feasible with an early start. Consider this route if you prioritize covering ground quickly over extensive sightseeing.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
198.5 miles from Piedmont, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 54m. Total distance: 397 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 54m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend the majority of your time on US 60 and MO 7, which offer a consistent pace for covering distance. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 143.5 miles on US 60, so be prepared for extended periods of highway travel. While the road network is primarily highway, the character can shift as you move through different sections of Missouri, offering a steady journey across the state.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 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 143.5 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 181.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 397 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 181.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 181.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 304.8 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 26 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
181.6 mi into trip|~3h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MO 13: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
7
181.7 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
7
304.8 mi into trip|~6h 3m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kan...
7
342.8 mi into trip|~6h 49m 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
7
349.1 mi into trip|~7h in
Take the exit toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport, Saint Joseph
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport,...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Piedmont, MO and Saint Joseph, MO, road signs point toward Downtown and Parkville.
Downtown
342.8 mi in|~6h 49m
Parkville
346.7 mi in|~6h 56m|via MO 9
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 60
143.5 mi
2h 48m
North Kansas Expressway
87.2 mi
1h 42m
MO 7
73.9 mi
1h 24m
I 29
40.2 mi
44m
South Main Street
24.8 mi
34m
Schoolcraft Freeway
8.1 mi
10m
I 229
5.7 mi
6m
Payne Stewart Highway
4.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 60
— 143.5 mi, about 2h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Piedmont, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on MO B
66 ft·7 sec·East Fir Street
2
Turn left onto MO 34; MO 49
25 mi·34 min·South Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 60
143 mi·2 hr 48 min·US 60
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward US 65 North: Sedalia
5
Merge onto US 65
8.1 mi·10 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 44 West: Joplin
7
Merge onto I 44
4.1 mi·5 min·Payne Stewart Highway
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13: Bolivar
9
Keep slight left at fork
150 ft·3 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13: Bolivar
10
Keep slight right at fork
209 ft·7 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
11
Merge onto MO 13
87 mi·1 hr 42 min·North Kansas Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Continue on MO 7
36 mi·39 min·MO 7
13
Take the exit onto MO 7
38 mi·45 min·MO 7
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward 11th Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
425 ft·16 sec·East 11th Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Charlotte Street
17
Turn left onto East 9th Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·East 9th Street
18
Turn right onto Locust Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·Locust Street
19
Continue on MO 9
3.0 mi·5 min·MO 9
20
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 9
0.9 mi·1 min·MO 9
Toward MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward US 169 North: Smithville
22
Continue on US 169
1.2 mi·1 min·US 169
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport, Saint JosephUse the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Merge onto I 29; US 71
12 mi·13 min·I 29; US 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
2.7 mi·2 min·I 29; I 435; US 71
26
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
27
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Exit 43Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
28
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi·6 min·I 229
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 6AToward Central Business District
30
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·Edmond Street
31
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi·20 sec·South 10th Street
32
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft·6 sec·Frederick Avenue
33
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft·2 sec·Walter Welsh Avenue
34
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 397-mile journey, aim for an early morning departure from Piedmont, MO, to maximize daylight hours and allow for a comfortable pace. With a total drive time of around 7 hours and 54 minutes, you'll have time for your planned 2 stops. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 143.5-mile stretch on US 60, as services might be more spaced out. This is a drive that can comfortably be completed in a single day, so flexibility in when you stop for breaks is an advantage.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 198.5 miles from Piedmont, MO, or about 4h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.5 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 87 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 198.5 miles or 4h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 42m
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 Piedmont, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Piedmont, MO
This is one driving day of about 397 miles and 7h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Piedmont, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 60 for about 143.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 198.5 mi from Piedmont, MO
· 4h into the drive
The midpoint is around 198.5 miles from Piedmont, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 143.5 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 177.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.22 one way
$122.44 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg137 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$67.22
$134.44
premium
$4.89
$75.36
$150.72
diesel
$5.61
$86.46
$172.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
19 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Springfield, Missouri
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Dynamic EV Charging Station
Springfield, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
Dynamic EVC Charging Station
Springfield, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Springfield, Missouri
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Springfield, Missouri
EV Connect
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Springfield, Missouri
EV Connect
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Springfield, Missouri
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
DynamicEVC Charging Station
Springfield, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 7
Other: 6
Blink: 3
EV Connect: 2
Tesla Destination: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
119.1
1
$41.68
$19.06
Efficient EV
99.3
1
$34.74
$15.88
EV Truck/SUV
158.8
1
$55.58
$25.41
Gas CO2
139 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (67% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Piedmont, MO
Afternoon
in Piedmont on Friday
Local time
2:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Afternoon
in Saint Joseph on Friday
Local time
2:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Billings, MO
199 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
22 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
7h 54m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Piedmont, MO to Saint Joseph, MO covers 397 miles and takes about 7h 54m 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.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 198.5 miles from Piedmont, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $62.07 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 26 significant decision points across 397 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 181.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 181.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 304.8 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Piedmont, MO and Saint Joseph, MO, road signs point toward Downtown and Parkville.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
