Origin
Saint Joseph, MO
Afternoon in Saint Joseph on Sunday
Local time
1:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Drive Time
5h 40m
Distance
298 mi
480 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
Photo: Valeria Boltneva
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 .
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 435 toward I 435 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward McKnight Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Between Saint Joseph, MO and Brentwood, MO, road signs point toward Kansas City and Sports Complex.
Kansas City
Sports Complex
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Joseph, MO and Brentwood, MO.
Start on Walter Welsh Avenue
Turn right onto North 12th Street
Turn right onto Francis Street
Turn left onto I 29 Business
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 36
Take the exit
Merge onto I 229; US 59
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 29; US 71
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 435
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 70
Continue on I 70
Continue on I 70
Continue on I 70
Continue on I 70
Continue on I 70; US 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Take the exit onto US 40
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
Continue on I 64; US 40
Take the exit
Turn right onto South McKnight Road
Turn left onto Litzsinger Road
Turn right
Turn left
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.3 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$45.26 one way
$90.53 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Saint Joseph on Sunday
Local time
1:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Brentwood on Sunday
Local time
1:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
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
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.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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