The drive from Saint Joseph, MO to Kennett, MO covers 458.1 miles and takes about 9h 16m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on US 60, MO 13, MO 7 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 177.3 miles on US 60.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $71.62 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
229 miles from Saint Joseph, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 30m into the drive
.
Drive Character
This is a 9h 16m highway drive covering 458.1 miles, with most of the trip on US 60 and MO 13. The longest continuous stretch is about 177.3 miles on US 60.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 40 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 177.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 60 and MO 13. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 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 29 significant decision points across 458.1 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 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.2 miles (I 29; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 29 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward I 229 South, US 59 South: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 229 South, US 59 South: Kansas City
6
6.5 mi into trip|~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
8
35.2 mi into trip|~39m in|I 29; US 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71 toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
8
53.6 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 71 South: Saint Louis, Joplin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 71...
7
54.2 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|US 71 / Bruce R. Watkins Drive
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71 / Bruce R. Watkins Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 2M
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Saint Joseph, MO and Kennett, MO, road signs point toward Joplin, Saint Louis and Poplar Bluff.
Joplin
53.6 mi in|~1h 3m|via I 70; US 24; US 40
Saint Louis
215.6 mi in|~4h 12m
Poplar Bluff
311.2 mi in|~6h 6m|via US 60
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 60
177.3 mi
3h 28m
MO 13
68 mi
1h 19m
MO 7
55.6 mi
1h 4m
I 29
40.4 mi
44m
Bruce R. Watkins Drive
37.8 mi
45m
MO 53
34.6 mi
51m
MO 25
11.6 mi
17m
Schoolcraft Freeway
8.3 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
US 60
— 177.3 mi, about 3h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Joseph, MO and Kennett, 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
11
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
2.2 mi·2 min·I 29; I 435; US 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71
12 mi·13 min·I 29; US 71
Toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas CityUse the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·29 sec
Exit 2BToward US 169 South: Kansas City Downtown
14
Merge onto US 169
5.2 mi·7 min·US 169
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto Broadway Boulevard
0.1 mi·18 sec·Broadway Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto West 6th Street
0.3 mi·26 sec·West 6th Street
Use the left lane.
17
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward I 35 North, I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East
18
Continue on I 35; I 70; US 24; US 40
0.4 mi·39 sec·George Brett Super Highway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40
0.5 mi·58 sec·George Brett Super Highway
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 71 South: Saint Louis, JoplinUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71
38 mi·45 min·Bruce R. Watkins Drive
Exit 2MUse the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Take the exit onto MO 7
0.2 mi·19 sec·MO 7
Exit 157Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
22
Turn slight left onto MO 7
55 mi·1 hr 3 min·MO 7
Exit 157Toward MO 7 South: ClintonUse the left lane.
23
Continue on MO 13
68 mi·1 hr 19 min·MO 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
25
Merge onto I 44
4.3 mi·5 min·Payne Stewart Highway
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 82AToward US 65 South: Branson
27
Merge onto US 65
8.3 mi·10 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·52 sec
Toward US 60 East: Cabool
29
Merge onto US 60
82 mi·1 hr 35 min·US 60
30
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
90 mi·1 hr 46 min·US 60
Toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
31
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
4.8 mi·6 min·US 60
32
Turn straight onto US 60 Business; US 67 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·North Westwood Boulevard
33
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
0.3 mi·25 sec·State Street
34
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
2.3 mi·3 min·North Westwood Boulevard
35
Turn slight left
133 ft·7 sec
36
Turn slight left onto MO 53
35 mi·51 min·MO 53
37
At end of road, turn right onto MO 25
12 mi·17 min·MO 25
38
Turn right onto US 412; MO 84
1.3 mi·2 min·1st Street
39
Turn left onto Kennett Street
134 ft·3 sec·Kennett Street
40
Arrive at destination
Kennett Street
Trip Plan
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 229 miles from Saint Joseph, MO, or about 4h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 177.3 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 101 miles or 1h 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 229 miles or 4h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 229 miles or 4h 30m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kennett, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Saint Joseph, MO
Aim for roughly 229 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Kennett, MO
Aim for roughly 229 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 101 miles from Saint Joseph, MO.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 60 for about 177.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 229 mi from Saint Joseph, MO
· 4h 30m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 221.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$71.62 one way
$143.24 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg160 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$78.63
$157.27
premium
$4.89
$88.16
$176.31
diesel
$5.61
$101.14
$202.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$72
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$202–$312
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 160.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
137.4
1
$48.10
$21.99
Efficient EV
114.5
1
$40.08
$18.32
EV Truck/SUV
183.2
2
$64.13
$29.32
Gas CO2
160 kg
EV CO2
54 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Saint Joseph, MO
Late night
in Saint Joseph on Friday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kennett, MO
Late night
in Kennett on Friday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
19 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
9h 16m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 Kennett, MO covers 458.1 miles and takes about 9h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 60, MO 13, MO 7. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 229 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 229 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 $71.62 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 29 significant decision points across 458.1 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 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.2 miles (I 29; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Saint Joseph, MO and Kennett, MO, road signs point toward Joplin, Saint Louis and Poplar Bluff.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
