Trip from Saint Joseph, MO to Perryville, MO

Drive Time

7h 3m

Distance

371.7 mi

598 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$56

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Photo: Valeria Boltneva

Trip Overview

Crossing Missouri from Saint Joseph to Perryville requires covering 371.7 miles, a journey that typically takes about 7 hours and 3 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, it is best suited for a single, focused day of travel rather than a multi-day excursion. You should budget approximately $56 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. While the route remains entirely within the Midwest, the transition across the state involves shifting from the northwestern corner toward the southeastern region. Planning for two strategic stops will help keep you alert throughout the day. Ultimately, this drive is a practical way to navigate across the state, provided you are prepared for a full day behind the wheel.

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

185.8 miles from Saint Joseph, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 24m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a varied experience as you transition between major thoroughfares and more technical local roads. Only 21% of the route consists of highway driving, meaning you will spend the majority of your time navigating secondary routes. You will spend your longest uninterrupted period on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which spans 135.3 miles of the total distance. Outside of this stretch, the character of the road shifts significantly, requiring more attention to turns and transitions. Be ready to adapt your driving style as you move from the major highway segments onto the winding local sections that define this trek.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 44 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 29 significant decision points across 371.7 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 29 key points

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

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

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...

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

291.2 mi into trip | ~5h 29m in

Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 25 Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis

303.3 mi into trip | ~5h 45m in

Take the exit toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 1A Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis...

Towns Along This Route

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

Kansas City

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

Sports Complex

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

Memphis

291.2 mi in | ~5h 29m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway	135.3 mi	2h 34m
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway	57.5 mi	1h 1m
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	25.1 mi	30m
I 270	11.5 mi	14m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway	5.6 mi	6m

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 Perryville, MO.

Start on Walter Welsh Avenue

417 ft · 8 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue

Turn right onto North 12th Street

297 ft · 10 sec · North 12th Street

Turn right onto Francis Street

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Francis Street

Turn left onto I 29 Business

1.2 mi · 2 min · North 9th Street

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Merge onto US 36

0.2 mi · 19 sec · US 36

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward I 229 South, US 59 South: Kansas City

Merge onto I 229; US 59

4.5 mi · 4 min · I 229; US 59

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 29 sec

Toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City

Merge onto I 29; US 71

26 mi · 27 min · I 29; US 71

Use the none lane.

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.

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.

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

Keep slight left at fork

1.2 mi · 1 min

Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

469 ft · 11 sec

Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Merge onto I 70

0.4 mi · 29 sec · George Brett Super Highway

Continue on I 70

2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 70

1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 70

2.6 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 70

53 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 70; US 40

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

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

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

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

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

Continue on I 70; US 40

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

Continue on I 70; US 40

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

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

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61

25 mi · 30 min · Avenue of the Saints

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 25 Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 31 sec

Toward I 270 South: Memphis Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 270

11 mi · 14 min · I 270

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 27 sec

Exit 1A Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 43 sec

Toward I 55 South: Memphis

Merge onto I 55

1.5 mi · 1 min · Rosa Parks Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 55

1.8 mi · 2 min · Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 55

57 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Exit 135 Toward MO M: Brewer

Turn left onto MO M

0.6 mi · 1 min · MO M

At end of road, turn right onto US 61; MO M

5.3 mi · 7 min · US 61; MO M

Enter roundabout onto MO B

55 ft · 0 sec · North Main Street

Continue on MO B

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Main Street

Turn left onto East Saint Joseph Street

365 ft · 18 sec · East Saint Joseph Street

Turn right onto South Spring Street

221 ft · 9 sec · South Spring Street

Arrive at destination

South Spring Street

Trip Plan

To manage the 7-hour duration efficiently, aim for an early morning departure to avoid traffic and reach your destination by late afternoon. Since you have two planned stops, prioritize taking them during the longer, non-highway stretches to break up the technical driving. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially when moving off the primary routes like the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway or the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. Given that this is a turn-heavy route, ensure your GPS is updated before you head out to navigate the local transitions with ease. Staying flexible with your pace will make the 371.7-mile journey much more manageable.

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 185.8 miles from Saint Joseph, MO, or about 3h 24m 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 82 miles or 1h 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 185.8 miles or 3h 24m 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 55m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Perryville, 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 371.7 miles and 7h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 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 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 185.8 mi from Saint Joseph, MO · 3h 24m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Alton, IL

186 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 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Quincy, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 185.8 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 Perryville, MO

The final approach into Perryville, 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 Perryville, 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

$56.46 one way

$112.91 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 130 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$62.24	$124.48
premium	$4.80	$70.17	$140.34
diesel	$5.64	$82.58	$165.16

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: 130.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	111.5	1	$39.03	$17.84
Efficient EV	92.9	1	$32.52	$14.87
EV Truck/SUV	148.7	1	$52.04	$23.79

Gas CO2

130 kg

EV CO2

43 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Saint Joseph, MO

Afternoon in Saint Joseph on Sunday

Local time

1:23 PM

CDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Perryville, MO

Afternoon in Perryville on Sunday

Local time

1:23 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°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

34 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

7h 3m 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 Perryville, MO covers 371.7 miles and takes about 7h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 185.8 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 $56.46 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.

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

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Return Trip

Perryville, MO to Saint Joseph, MO

Plan the drive back the other way.

371.9 mi 7h 5m

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Trip from Saint Joseph, MO to Perryville, MO

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Perryville, MO

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Saint Joseph, MO

Perryville, MO

Same local time

34 degrees warmer at arrival

7h 3m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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