The drive from Saint Joseph, MO to La Monte, MO covers 133.1 miles and takes about 2h 36m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 50, I 29, I 435 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 56.9 miles on US 50.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.81 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
66.5 miles from Saint Joseph, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 36m. Total distance: 133.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 36m highway drive covering 133.1 miles, with most of the trip on US 50 and I 29. The longest continuous stretch is about 56.9 miles on US 50.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 50 is the longest continuous segment at about 56.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 50 and I 29. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Francis Street.
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 18 significant decision points across 133.1 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 0.1 miles (Francis Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Francis Street
Turn right onto Francis Street
Navigation decision point
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 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 14
Toward I 435 East: Saint Louis
8
66.7 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward MO 350 East: 63rd Street, Raytown, Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 66
Toward MO 350 East: 63rd Street, Raytown, Lee's...
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 La Monte, MO, road signs point toward Raytown and Lee's Summit.
Raytown
66.7 mi in|~1h 14m
Lee's Summit
66.7 mi in|~1h 14m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 50
56.9 mi
1h 6m
I 29
28.4 mi
30m
I 435
28 mi
30m
Blue Parkway
8.2 mi
12m
I 229
4.5 mi
4m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
3.5 mi
4m
North 9th Street
1.2 mi
2m
South Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 50
— 56.9 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Joseph, MO and La Monte, 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 right at fork onto I 435
28 mi·30 min·I 435
Exit 14Toward I 435 East: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 435
3.5 mi·4 min·Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
Toward I 435 South: Wichita
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 66Toward MO 350 East: 63rd Street, Raytown, Lee's SummitUse the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto MO 350
8.2 mi·12 min·Blue Parkway
16
Continue on US 50
57 mi·1 hr 6 min·US 50
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
18
Turn left
84 ft·4 sec
19
Turn right onto MO 127
0.1 mi·18 sec·Front Street
20
Turn left onto MO 127
0.7 mi·1 min·South Main Street
21
Turn left onto West Pine Street
219 ft·9 sec·West Pine Street
22
Arrive at destination
West Pine Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.5 miles from Saint Joseph, MO, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.9 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 29 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.5 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Monte, 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 133.1 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 US 50 for about 56.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.5 mi from Saint Joseph, MO
· 1h 14m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.81 one way
$41.62 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.85
$45.69
premium
$4.89
$25.61
$51.23
diesel
$5.61
$29.39
$58.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.9
0
$13.98
$6.39
Efficient EV
33.3
0
$11.65
$5.32
EV Truck/SUV
53.2
0
$18.63
$8.52
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Saint Joseph, MO
Morning
in Saint Joseph on Friday
Local time
6:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
La Monte, MO
Morning
in La Monte on Friday
Local time
6:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°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.
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
21 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
2h 36m 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 Saint Joseph, MO to La Monte, MO covers 133.1 miles and takes about 2h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 50, I 29, I 435. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66.5 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 $20.81 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 133.1 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 0.1 miles (Francis Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Between Saint Joseph, MO and La Monte, MO, road signs point toward Raytown and Lee's Summit.
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.
