Versailles, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is 184.7 miles and takes about 3h 44m via West Broadway Boulevard and I-29, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This single-day trip stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on interstates for efficiency after an initial stretch on local roads. Consider this route for a practical journey when you need to get from point A to point B without extensive detours, offering a predictable travel experience.
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
92.4 miles from Versailles, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 44m. Total distance: 184.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This drive offers a mixed experience, with about 50% of the journey on highways. You'll begin on West Broadway Boulevard, where you can expect the longest uninterrupted stretch of 68 miles, suggesting a more local road feel initially. As you progress, you'll transition to interstates like I-435 and I-29, which will likely provide a faster, more typical highway driving environment. The profile is described as a 'Mixed drive,' indicating a blend of these road types throughout the 184.7 miles.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Broadway Boulevard is the longest continuous segment at about 68 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 24.9 miles in near MO 52.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 184.7 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 24.9 miles (MO 52): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 118 miles (I 435): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
24.9 mi into trip|~34m in|MO 52
Take the ramp onto MO 52 toward US 65 North, MO 52 Wesy: Sedalia
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 65 North, MO 52 Wesy: Sedalia
6
117.6 mi into trip|~2h 29m in
Take the exit toward I 435 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 435 North
5
118 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|I 435
Merge onto I 435
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
151.6 mi into trip|~3h 7m in|I 29; US 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71 toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
5
177.6 mi into trip|~3h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 43
Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
West Broadway Boulevard
68 mi
1h 20m
I 435
32.3 mi
35m
I 29
26 mi
27m
West Newton Street
21.3 mi
29m
US 65
10.6 mi
14m
Blue Parkway
7.7 mi
11m
MO 52
6.3 mi
7m
I 229
5.7 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
West Broadway Boulevard
— 68 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Versailles, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on South Fisher Street
63 ft·7 sec·South Fisher Street
2
Turn left onto East Newton Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East Newton Street
3
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 52
21 mi·29 min·West Newton Street
4
Continue on MO 52
3.0 mi·3 min·State Highway 52
5
Take the ramp onto MO 52
6.3 mi·7 min·MO 52
Toward US 65 North, MO 52 Wesy: Sedalia
6
Continue on US 65
11 mi·14 min·US 65
7
Turn left onto US 50
68 mi·1 hr 20 min·West Broadway Boulevard
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on MO 350
7.7 mi·11 min·Blue Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·39 sec
Toward I 435 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 435
11 mi·13 min·I 435
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi·1 min·I435 N
12
Continue on I 435
21 mi·22 min·I 435
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71
26 mi·27 min·I 29; US 71
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Exit 43Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
15
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi·6 min·I 229
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 6AToward Central Business District
17
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·Edmond Street
18
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi·20 sec·South 10th Street
19
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft·6 sec·Frederick Avenue
20
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft·2 sec·Walter Welsh Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
With a duration of under 4 hours, this 184.7-mile trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You'll want to factor in the $29 estimated fuel cost for your budget. While there's one recommended stop, the relatively short duration means you might not need extensive breaks. Pay attention as you transition from West Broadway Boulevard onto the interstate systems; this is where the driving character changes most significantly. Ensure your fuel tank is adequately filled before departing Versailles, as interstate stretches can sometimes have longer distances between services.
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 92.4 miles from Versailles, MO, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68 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 41 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.4 miles or 1h 56m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Joseph, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Versailles, 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 Versailles, MO
This is one driving day of about 184.7 miles and 3h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Versailles, 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 West Broadway Boulevard for about 68 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92.4 mi from Versailles, MO
· 1h 56m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.88 one way
$57.75 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$31.70
$63.41
premium
$4.89
$35.54
$71.09
diesel
$5.61
$40.78
$81.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
1 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: fair
Francis Energy Charging Station
Sedalia, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
Other: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.4
0
$19.39
$8.87
Efficient EV
46.2
0
$16.16
$7.39
EV Truck/SUV
73.9
0
$25.86
$11.82
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Versailles, MO
Morning
in Versailles on Friday
Local time
9:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Morning
in Saint Joseph on Friday
Local time
9:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Lee's Summit, MO
92 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
19 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
3h 44m 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 Versailles, MO to Saint Joseph, MO covers 184.7 miles and takes about 3h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Broadway Boulevard, I 435, I 29. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 92.4 miles from Versailles, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.88 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 184.7 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 24.9 miles (MO 52): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 118 miles (I 435): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Versailles, MO to Saint Joseph, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
