Origin
Saint Joseph, MO
Evening in Saint Joseph on Thursday
Local time
8:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Joseph, MO to Anderson, MO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 27m
Distance
237.5 mi
382 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 14m
★
6 AM
4h 27m
8 AM
4h 54m
10 AM
4h 36m
12 PM
4h 34m
3 PM
4h 38m
5 PM
4h 52m
8 PM
4h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Joseph, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Anderson, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Saint Joseph, MO to Anderson, MO covers 237.5 miles and takes about 4h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Bruce R. Watkins Drive, I 29, Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 127.8 miles on Bruce R. Watkins Drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.13 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
118.7 miles from Saint Joseph, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 27m. Total distance: 237.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 27m drive with frequent turns across 237.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Bruce R. Watkins Drive is the longest continuous segment at about 127.8 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 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 22 significant decision points across 237.5 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 22 key pointsThese 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.
On the drive from Saint Joseph, MO to Anderson, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Joplin along the way.
Joplin
53.6 mi in
|
~1h 3m
|
via I 70; US 24; US 40
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bruce R. Watkins Drive | 127.8 mi | 2h 21m |
| I 29 | 40.4 mi | 44m |
| Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway | 10.2 mi | 10m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway | 6.2 mi | 6m |
| Special Agent Tom Crowell Memorial Highway | 6 mi | 6m |
| James B. Tatum Highway | 5.8 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Bruce R. Watkins Drive
— 127.8 mi, about 2h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Joseph, MO and Anderson, 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
128 mi
·
2 hr 21 min
·
Bruce R. Watkins Drive
Exit 2M
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Continue on I 49; US 71
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
22
Continue on I 49; US 71
3.5 mi
·
3 min
·
George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 53
Toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
24
Turn right onto I 49 Business; MO 96; MO 171
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
25
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 249
6.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway
Toward MO 249 South: Joplin
26
Continue on I 49; US 71
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
27
Continue on I 49; US 71
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Special Agent Tom Crowell Memorial Highway
28
Continue on I 49; US 71
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
James B. Tatum Highway
29
Continue on I 49; US 71
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Corporal Bobbie J. Harper Memorial Highway
30
Take the exit onto US 71 Business
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 71 Business
Exit 16
Toward MO 59, US 71 Business: Goodman, Anderson
31
Continue on US 71 Business; MO 59
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
US 71 Business; MO 59
32
Turn right onto MO 59; MO 76
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
North State Highway 59
33
Turn left onto Jefferson Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Jefferson Street
34
Arrive at destination
East Street
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 118.7 miles from Saint Joseph, MO, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.8 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 52 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.7 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anderson, 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 237.5 miles and 4h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 Bruce R. Watkins Drive for about 127.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 118.7 mi from Saint Joseph, MO · 2h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 118.7 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 Bruce R. Watkins Drive if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 127.8 miles.
Arriving in Anderson, MO
The final approach into Anderson, 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 Anderson, 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
$37.13 one way
$74.26 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.77 | $81.54 |
| premium | $4.89 | $45.70 | $91.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.44 | $104.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.3 | 0 | $24.94 | $11.40 |
| Efficient EV | 59.4 | 0 | $20.78 | $9.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95 | 1 | $33.25 | $15.20 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Anderson, MO
Evening in Anderson on Thursday
Local time
8:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Garden City, MO
119 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
2 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
4h 27m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Saint Joseph, MO to Anderson, MO covers 237.5 miles and takes about 4h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Bruce R. Watkins Drive, I 29, Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 118.7 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 $37.13 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break 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 22 significant decision points across 237.5 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.
On the drive from Saint Joseph, MO to Anderson, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Joplin along the way.
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