Drive Time
4h
Distance
237.5 mi
382 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
Photo: Andrés Oliver Joya Zapata
The drive from Richland, MO to Saint Joseph, MO covers 237.5 miles and takes about 4h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West Washington Avenue, MO 5 North, MO 7 North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.26 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
118.8 miles from Richland, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
Expect a 4h drive with frequent turns across 237.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Richland, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Washington Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MO 5 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MO 7 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 49 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 11th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East 11th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Charlotte Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East 9th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Richland, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
Start on South Pine Street
Turn left onto West Washington Avenue
Keep slight left
Take the ramp right toward MO 5 North, MO 7 North: Sunrise Beach
Turn left
Take the exit slight right toward MO 7 North: Warsaw, Clinton
Turn left
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
Take the exit slight right toward 11th Street, Downtown
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
Turn left onto East 9th Street
Turn right onto Locust Street
Continue straight
Keep slight left to continue on MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
Take the exit slight right toward US 169 North: Smithville
Continue straight
Take the exit slight left toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport, Saint Joseph
Merge slight right
Merge slight left
Keep slight left to continue on I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
Take the exit slight right toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward Central Business District
Continue on Edmond Street
Turn left onto South 10th Street
Turn right onto Frederick Avenue
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.8 miles or 2h 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Joseph, MO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Richland, 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 Richland, MO
This is one driving day of about 237.5 miles and 4h.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 118.8 mi from Richland, MO · 2h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 118.8 miles from Richland, 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.
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.
Regular Gas
$35.26 one way
$70.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $39.77 | $79.53 |
| premium | $4.65 | $43.52 | $87.03 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $49.59 | $99.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.3 | 0 | $24.94 | $11.40 |
| Efficient EV | 59.4 | 0 | $20.78 | $9.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95 | 1 | $33.25 | $15.20 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Richland on Saturday
Local time
1:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Saint Joseph on Saturday
Local time
1:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
56°F
Billings, MO
119 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
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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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