Trip from Saint Joseph, MO to Brentwood, MO

Drive Time

5h 40m

Distance

298 mi

480 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

Downtown Brentwood, MO, MO

Photo: Valeria Boltneva

Trip Overview

Connecting Saint Joseph to Brentwood, this 298-mile journey takes you across the Missouri heartland in approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes. Because the trip is well within the limits of a single day, you can easily complete it in one go without needing an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $45 for fuel to cover the distance, making this a relatively affordable trek through the Midwest. Navigating the route requires a mix of major thoroughfares, including I-29 and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this path offers a straightforward transit across the state. Expect a drive that balances time on the open road with more technical segments as you approach the destination.

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

149 miles from Saint Joseph, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a varied driving experience that transitions from high-speed interstates to more demanding local segments. With only 22% of the route consisting of highway travel, you will spend a significant portion of the trip navigating turn-heavy local roads that require your full attention. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which spans 135.3 miles and provides a brief reprieve from the winding local paths. You will also utilize the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway as you progress toward Brentwood. This combination creates a dynamic environment behind the wheel, shifting between long, steady stretches and more engaged, technical driving maneuvers.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 35 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 135.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 35.2 miles in near I 435.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 298 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 35.2 miles (I 435): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.2 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
35.2 mi into trip | ~39m in | I 435

Keep slight right at fork onto I 435 toward I 435 East: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Exit 14 Toward I 435 East: Saint Louis
7
63.2 mi into trip | ~1h 10m in | US 24

Keep slight right at fork onto US 24 toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 63 Toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Ka...
7
63.5 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
7
64.7 mi into trip | ~1h 12m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
7
296.4 mi into trip | ~5h 36m in

Take the exit toward McKnight Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 30 Toward McKnight Road

Towns Along This Route

Between Saint Joseph, MO and Brentwood, MO, road signs point toward Kansas City and Sports Complex.

Kansas City

63.2 mi in | ~1h 10m | via US 24

Sports Complex

63.2 mi in | ~1h 10m | via US 24

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 135.3 mi 2h 34m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway 54.4 mi 58m
I 29 28.4 mi 30m
I 435 28 mi 30m
Avenue of the Saints 27.7 mi 33m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 5.6 mi 6m
I 229 4.5 mi 4m
Daniel Boone Expressway 2.6 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 135.3 mi, about 2h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Joseph, MO and Brentwood, MO.

1

Start on Walter Welsh Avenue

417 ft · 8 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
2

Turn right onto North 12th Street

297 ft · 10 sec · North 12th Street
3

Turn right onto Francis Street

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Francis Street
4

Turn left onto I 29 Business

1.2 mi · 2 min · North 9th Street
5

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 15 sec
6

Merge onto US 36

0.2 mi · 19 sec · US 36
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 229 South, US 59 South: Kansas City
8

Merge onto I 229; US 59

4.5 mi · 4 min · I 229; US 59
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 29 sec
Toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
10

Merge onto I 29; US 71

26 mi · 27 min · I 29; US 71
Use the none lane.
11

Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71

2.2 mi · 2 min · I 29; I 435; US 71
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 435

28 mi · 30 min · I 435
Exit 14 Toward I 435 East: Saint Louis Use the none lane.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto US 24

0.3 mi · 23 sec · US 24
Exit 63 Toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
14

Keep slight left at fork

1.2 mi · 1 min
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork

469 ft · 11 sec
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis Use the slight left / straight lanes.
16

Merge onto I 70

0.4 mi · 29 sec · George Brett Super Highway
17

Continue on I 70

2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the none lane.
18

Continue on I 70

1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on I 70

2.6 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the none lane.
20

Continue on I 70

53 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the none lane.
21

Continue on I 70; US 40

32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
22

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

22 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
23

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
24

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.6 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
25

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
26

Continue on I 70; US 40

81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
27

Take the exit onto US 40

0.3 mi · 33 sec · US 40
Exit 210A Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
28

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61

28 mi · 33 min · Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
29

Continue on I 64; US 40

2.6 mi · 3 min · Daniel Boone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
30

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 30 Toward McKnight Road Use the slight right lane.
31

Turn right onto South McKnight Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · South McKnight Road
32

Turn left onto Litzsinger Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Litzsinger Road
Use the left lane.
33

Turn right

59 ft · 9 sec
34

Turn left

68 ft · 4 sec
35

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Planning for a single stop is your best strategy to keep the 5 hour and 40 minute travel time manageable. Since this route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, aim to depart early in the day to ensure you are navigating the more complex road sections during daylight hours. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $45 estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's specific efficiency and local prices along the way. Given the heavy reliance on local roads rather than continuous interstate, prioritize staying alert during the non-highway portions of the trip. The flexibility of this one-day route allows you to adjust your pace, so take advantage of your scheduled stop to reset before tackling the final miles into Brentwood.

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 149 miles from Saint Joseph, MO, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.3 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 149 miles or 2h 44m 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 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brentwood, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Saint Joseph, 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 Saint Joseph, MO

This is one driving day of about 298 miles and 5h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Saint Joseph, 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 135.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 149 mi from Saint Joseph, MO · 2h 44m into the drive

Downtown Quincy, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Quincy, IL

149 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

Lawson, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Quincy, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 149 miles from Saint Joseph, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.3 miles.

Arriving in Brentwood, MO

The final approach into Brentwood, 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 Brentwood, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.26 one way

$90.53 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 104 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $49.90 $99.79
premium $4.80 $56.26 $112.51
diesel $5.64 $66.21 $132.41

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 104.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 89.4 1 $31.29 $14.30
Efficient EV 74.5 0 $26.08 $11.92
EV Truck/SUV 119.2 1 $41.72 $19.07

Gas CO2

104 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Saint Joseph, MO

Afternoon in Saint Joseph on Sunday

Local time

1:24 PM

CDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brentwood, MO

Afternoon in Brentwood on Sunday

Local time

1:24 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

55°F

Quincy, IL

149 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

14 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 40m 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 Saint Joseph, MO to Brentwood, MO covers 298 miles and takes about 5h 40m 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 149 miles from Saint Joseph, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.26 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 is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 298 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 35.2 miles (I 435): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.2 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Saint Joseph, MO and Brentwood, MO, road signs point toward Kansas City and Sports Complex.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

More trips to Brentwood, MO

Explore more options from Saint Joseph, MO or browse trips ending in Brentwood, MO.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.

Explore maps for Saint Joseph, MO or Brentwood, MO on MapSof.net.