Origin
Raytown, MO
Late night in Raytown on Friday
Local time
1:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Raytown, MO to Saint Joseph, MO
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
1h 18m
Distance
69.2 mi
111 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 13m
★
6 AM
1h 19m
8 AM
1h 31m
10 AM
1h 23m
12 PM
1h 22m
3 PM
1h 24m
5 PM
1h 31m
8 PM
1h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Raytown, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Saint Joseph, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward, 69.2-mile drive from Raytown, MO, to Saint Joseph, MO, is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 18 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The route is predominantly highway, with 95% of the journey on major interstates, so you'll be covering ground efficiently. With an estimated fuel cost of $11, this trip is quite budget-friendly. You'll be traveling within the Midwest region for the entirety of your journey, staying within Missouri. It's a simple, direct route ideal for a quick excursion.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 18m. Total distance: 69.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for this 69.2-mile trip, with 95% of your travel on interstates like I-435 and I-29. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 32.3 miles on I-435, so be prepared for sustained highway driving. While primarily interstate, the route does incorporate I-229 as well, offering a consistent and fast-paced journey. The road character remains largely uniform, prioritizing speed and directness over winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 435 is the longest continuous segment at about 32.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 435 and I 29. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in.
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 69.2 miles you will encounter 9 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 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 435): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.1 miles (I 29; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
2.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward I 435 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 435 North
5
2.5 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 435
Merge onto I 435
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
36.1 mi into trip
|
~41m 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
62.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m 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
68.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| I 435 | 32.3 mi | 35m |
| I 29 | 26 mi | 27m |
| I 229 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| East 63rd Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| I435 N | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Blue Parkway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Edmond Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South 10th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 435
— 32.3 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raytown, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on East 63rd Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East 63rd Street
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward MO 350 West: Kansas City
3
Merge onto MO 350
0.6 mi
·
45 sec
·
Blue Parkway
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 435 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 435
11 mi
·
13 min
·
I 435
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I435 N
7
Continue on I 435
21 mi
·
22 min
·
I 435
8
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
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 43
Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
10
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
I 229
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 6A
Toward Central Business District
12
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Edmond Street
13
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South 10th Street
14
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft
·
6 sec
·
Frederick Avenue
15
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft
·
2 sec
·
Walter Welsh Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.6 mi from Raytown, MO · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.6 miles from Raytown, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.82 one way
$21.64 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $11.88 | $23.76 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.32 | $26.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.28 | $30.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.27 | $3.32 |
| Efficient EV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.06 | $2.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.7 | 0 | $9.69 | $4.43 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Late night in Saint Joseph on Friday
Local time
1:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1h 18m 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 Raytown, MO to Saint Joseph, MO covers 69.2 miles and takes about 1h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 435, I 29, I 229. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.6 miles from Raytown, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.82 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.2 miles you will encounter 9 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 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 435): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.1 miles (I 29; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Raytown, MO to Saint Joseph, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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