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Trip from Saint Joseph, MO to Oregon County, MO

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

7h 19m

Distance

360.3 mi

580 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$56

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
7h 8m ★
6 AM
7h 19m
8 AM
7h 40m
10 AM
7h 26m
12 PM
7h 24m
3 PM
7h 27m
5 PM
7h 39m
8 PM
7h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in and county seat of Buchanan County, Missouri, United States

Saint Joseph, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Oregon County, MO, MO

Oregon County, MO

Brett Sayles

Trip Overview

The drive from Saint Joseph, MO to Oregon County, MO covers 360.3 miles and takes about 7h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

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 82.2 miles on US 60. At current regular gas prices, budget about $56.33 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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

180.2 miles from Saint Joseph, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 31m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 19m. Total distance: 360.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 19m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Drive Character

This is a 7h 19m highway drive covering 360.3 miles, with most of the trip on US 60 and MO 13. The longest continuous stretch is about 82.2 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 41 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 82.2 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 Effort 10/10

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 32 significant decision points across 360.3 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 32 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 Oregon County, MO, road signs point toward Joplin, Saint Louis and Thayer.

Joplin

53.6 mi in | ~1h 3m | via I 70; US 24; US 40

Saint Louis

215.6 mi in | ~4h 12m

Thayer

311.2 mi in | ~6h 6m | via US 63

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 60 82.2 mi 1h 35m
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
Joe Jones Boulevard 31 mi 45m
US 63 15.4 mi 18m
Schoolcraft Freeway 8.3 mi 10m
Longest stretch: US 60 — 82.2 mi, about 1h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Joseph, MO and Oregon County, 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 City Use the slight right lane.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 29 sec
Exit 2B Toward 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, Joplin Use the slight right lane.
20

Keep slight right at fork onto US 71

38 mi · 45 min · Bruce R. Watkins Drive
Exit 2M Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21

Take the exit onto MO 7

0.2 mi · 19 sec · MO 7
Exit 157 Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
22

Turn slight left onto MO 7

55 mi · 1 hr 3 min · MO 7
Exit 157 Toward MO 7 South: Clinton Use 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 82A Toward 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 right at fork onto US 63

15 mi · 18 min · US 63
Toward US 63 South: West Plains, Thayer
31

Take the exit onto US 63 Business

0.3 mi · 50 sec · US 63 Business
32

Turn left onto US 63 Business

0.1 mi · 17 sec · McFarland Street
33

Continue on Girdley Street

0.3 mi · 59 sec · Girdley Street
34

Turn right onto Old Airport Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Old Airport Road
35

Turn left onto Good Hard Drive

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Good Hard Drive
36

Turn right onto Freedom Drive

0.3 mi · 1 min · Freedom Drive
37

Turn left onto US 160; MO 17

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Independence Drive
38

Continue on US 160; MO 17

0.5 mi · 47 sec · West Abe Taylor Street
39

Continue on US 160; MO 17

31 mi · 45 min · Joe Jones Boulevard
40

Continue on Tucker Creek Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Tucker Creek Road
41

Arrive at destination

Tucker Creek Road

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 180.2 miles from Saint Joseph, MO, or about 3h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.2 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 79 miles or 1h 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 180.2 miles or 3h 31m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oregon County, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Saint Joseph, MO

This is one driving day of about 360.3 miles and 7h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Saint Joseph, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 60 for about 82.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 180.2 mi from Saint Joseph, MO · 3h 31m into the drive

city in Missouri, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Billings, MO

180 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

Raytown, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Warsaw, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 180.2 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 US 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.2 miles.

Arriving in Oregon County, MO

The final approach into Oregon County, 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 Oregon County, MO.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$56.33 one way

$112.66 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 126 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $61.85 $123.69
premium $4.89 $69.34 $138.67
diesel $5.61 $79.55 $159.10

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$56

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$81–$106

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 126.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 108.1 1 $37.83 $17.29
Efficient EV 90.1 1 $31.53 $14.41
EV Truck/SUV 144.1 1 $50.44 $23.06

Gas CO2

126 kg

EV CO2

42 kg (67% 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

Afternoon in Saint Joseph on Thursday

Local time

3:07 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Oregon County, MO

Afternoon in Oregon County on Thursday

Local time

3:07 PM

CDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

73°F

Billings, MO

180 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

29 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

7h 19m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 Oregon County, MO covers 360.3 miles and takes about 7h 19m 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.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 180.2 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 $56.33 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 32 significant decision points across 360.3 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 Oregon County, MO, road signs point toward Joplin, Saint Louis and Thayer.

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