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Trip from Ballwin, MO to Saint Joseph, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 35m

Distance

290.9 mi

468 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 23m ★
6 AM
5h 36m
8 AM
6h 2m
10 AM
5h 45m
12 PM
5h 43m
3 PM
5h 47m
5 PM
6h 1m
8 PM
5h 28m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States

Ballwin, MO

Wikimedia Commons

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

Saint Joseph, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 290.8-mile journey from Ballwin, MO, to Saint Joseph, MO, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 4 hours and 26 minutes. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, with Holloway Road, Baxter Road, and Clarkson Road forming key parts of your path. With a highway share of 0%, expect a more engaged driving experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $44. Given the route's character and duration, it's well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing for flexibility without the need for an overnight stop.

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

145.5 miles from Ballwin, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway 80.7 mi 1h 35m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway 54.4 mi 58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 54.3 mi 58m
I 29 26 mi 27m
I 435 20.9 mi 22m
Avenue of the Saints 19.2 mi 23m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway 7.8 mi 9m
I 229 5.7 mi 6m
Longest stretch: Dwight D Eisenhower Highway — 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ballwin, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.

1

Start on this road

219 ft · 21 sec · this road
2

Turn left

220 ft · 21 sec
3

At end of road, turn left onto Holloway Road

1.2 mi · 3 min · Holloway Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Continue on Baxter Road

2.9 mi · 5 min · Baxter Road
5

Turn right onto MO 340

1.0 mi · 1 min · Clarkson Road
6

Continue on MO 340

483 ft · 16 sec · Olive Boulevard
7

Turn left onto North Outer 40

0.4 mi · 58 sec · North Outer 40
8

Take the ramp

457 ft · 11 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61

19 mi · 23 min · Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
10

Take the exit onto US 40

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 40
Exit 1A Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11

Merge onto I 70; US 40

81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
12

Continue on I 70; US 40

2.0 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
13

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.6 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
14

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15

Continue on I 70; US 40

54 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
16

Continue on I 70; US 40

52 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
17

Continue on I 70

2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
18

Continue on I 70

1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on I 70

2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
20

Continue on I 70

0.8 mi · 58 sec · George Brett Super Highway
21

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 2 min
Exit 8B Toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Merge onto I 435; US 24

7.8 mi · 9 min · Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
23

Continue on I435 N

1.3 mi · 1 min · I435 N
24

Continue on I 435

21 mi · 22 min · I 435
25

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
26

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 54 sec
Exit 43 Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
27

Continue on I 229

5.7 mi · 6 min · I 229
28

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 6A Toward Central Business District
29

Continue on Edmond Street

0.5 mi · 57 sec · Edmond Street
30

Turn left onto I 29 Business

0.2 mi · 20 sec · South 10th Street
31

Turn right onto I 29 Business

379 ft · 6 sec · Frederick Avenue
32

Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue

137 ft · 2 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
33

Arrive at destination

Walter Welsh Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 4 hour and 26 minute drive, consider an early morning departure to make the most of your day and avoid potential local traffic. With only one stop suggested and a relatively short duration, you have the flexibility to take your time. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as there are no long highway stretches to rely on for consistent gas station access. A good tip for this turn-heavy route is to utilize your GPS's turn-by-turn navigation actively, as frequent adjustments will be necessary to stay on course through the local road network.

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 145.5 miles from Ballwin, MO, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.7 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 64 miles or 1h 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 145.5 miles or 2h 55m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 37m

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 Ballwin, 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 Ballwin, MO

This is one driving day of about 290.9 miles and 5h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Ballwin, 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 Dwight D Eisenhower Highway for about 80.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Columbia, MO

145 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

Bowling Green, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sedalia, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 145.5 miles from Ballwin, 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 80.7 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Renada’s

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dearborn, Missouri

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 270.1

Hours: 7 am–1:30 pm

+18169920117

El Canelo Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Elwood, Kansas

1.9 mi

Le Peep

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Joseph, Missouri

2.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Wolf Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ballwin, Missouri

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16365277027

Visit website

Renada’s

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 270.1

Dearborn, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–1:30 pm

+18169920117

El Canelo Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 290.9

Elwood, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19133655550

Visit website

Le Peep

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 290.9

St Joseph, Missouri

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+18166719793

Visit website

Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 290.9

St Joseph, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18162593284

Visit website

Café Verona

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 228.6

Independence, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18168330044

Visit website

Cafe Poland by Iwona

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 103.9

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 5–8 pm

+17024270048

Visit website

Cafe Berlin

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 103.9

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15734410400

Visit website

Vietnam Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 228.6

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+18164724888

Visit website

The Wolf Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Ballwin, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16365277027

Visit website

Core Coffee & Eatery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 228.6

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18162875027

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 103.9

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 20.8

Lake St Louis, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Ionna Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 41.6

Warrenton, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18334662474

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 41.6

Warrenton, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 187

Higginsville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16602071324

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 103.9

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 103.9

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 20.8

O'Fallon, Missouri

+18889982546

Visit website

Glore Psychiatric Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 290.9

St Joseph, Missouri

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18162328471

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 257.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Holloway Road

At end of road, turn left onto Holloway Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
6
5.6 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the ramp toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North
8
24.9 mi into trip | ~35m in | US 40

Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City

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

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 1A Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
8
226.6 mi into trip | ~4h 23m in

Take the exit toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des Moines

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 8B Toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des Moines
6
257.7 mi into trip | ~4h 58m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.48 one way

$90.96 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 102 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $49.93 $99.87
premium $4.89 $55.98 $111.96
diesel $5.61 $64.23 $128.45

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 101.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 87.3 1 $30.54 $13.96
Efficient EV 72.7 0 $25.45 $11.64
EV Truck/SUV 116.4 1 $40.73 $18.62

Gas CO2

102 kg

EV CO2

34 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 17, 2026

Origin

Ballwin, MO

Late night in Ballwin on Sunday

Local time

1:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Saint Joseph, MO

Late night in Saint Joseph on Sunday

Local time

1:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

Columbia, MO

145 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

12 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

5h 35m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive on this route, as indicated by its 0% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the emphasis on local roads suggests a continuous engagement with your surroundings rather than long periods of highway monotony. You'll likely experience a variety of road conditions and speed limits as you traverse through communities and countryside. This isn't a route for autopilot; it requires your attention as you navigate through its many turns and transitions.

Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.7 mi on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 0.1 miles in near Holloway Road.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 290.9 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 (Holloway Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.9 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 35m. Total distance: 290.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 80.7 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Saint Joseph, MO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Holloway Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.9 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saint Joseph, MO before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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