Traveling from Camdenton to Saint Joseph covers 205.7 miles across the Missouri heartland. You should budget approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes of drive time, making this a straightforward day trip that doesn't necessarily require an overnight stay. Expect to spend about $31 in fuel for the journey, which relies heavily on a combination of MO 7, MO 5, and I-29. Because the route is 98% highway-focused, it is designed for efficiency rather than leisurely wandering. Whether you are heading north for business or personal travel, this itinerary offers a reliable transit path through the Midwest.
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
102.8 miles from Camdenton, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MO 7
142.8 mi
3h 3m
I 29
40.2 mi
44m
MO 5
7.7 mi
9m
I 229
5.7 mi
6m
MO 9
3.9 mi
7m
US 169
1.2 mi
1m
US 54
0.8 mi
1m
Edmond Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
MO 7
— 142.8 mi, about 3h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camdenton, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on US 54
0.8 mi·1 min·US 54
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward MO 5 North, MO 7 North: Sunrise BeachUse the left lane.
3
Merge onto MO 5; MO 7
7.7 mi·9 min·MO 5; MO 7
4
Turn left onto MO 7
37 mi·53 min·MO 7
5
Take the exit onto MO 7
0.3 mi·33 sec·MO 7
Toward MO 7 North: Warsaw, Clinton
6
Turn left onto MO 7
28 mi·38 min·MO 7
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on MO 7; MO 13; MO 52
39 mi·44 min·MO 7; MO 13; MO 52
8
Take the exit onto MO 7
38 mi·45 min·MO 7
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward 11th Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
425 ft·16 sec·East 11th Street
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Charlotte Street
12
Turn left onto East 9th Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·East 9th Street
13
Turn right onto Locust Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·Locust Street
14
Continue on MO 9
3.0 mi·5 min·MO 9
15
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 9
0.9 mi·1 min·MO 9
Toward MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward US 169 North: Smithville
17
Continue on US 169
1.2 mi·1 min·US 169
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport, Saint JosephUse the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Merge onto I 29; US 71
12 mi·13 min·I 29; US 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
2.7 mi·2 min·I 29; I 435; US 71
21
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
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Exit 43Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
23
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi·6 min·I 229
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 6AToward Central Business District
25
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·Edmond Street
26
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi·20 sec·South 10th Street
27
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft·6 sec·Frederick Avenue
28
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft·2 sec·Walter Welsh Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day trip, planning for one strategic stop is ideal to break up the 4-hour and 20-minute journey. Aim to depart early in the morning to avoid any potential congestion on the more heavily traveled sections of I-29. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that 142.8-mile stretch on MO 7, as service stations may be spaced further apart than on major interstates. Flexibility is your best asset here; because the duration is manageable, you can easily adjust your pace to accommodate traffic or weather conditions. Always double-check your route before heading out, as shifting between state highways and interstates requires clear navigation.
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 102.8 miles from Camdenton, MO, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.8 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 45 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.8 miles or 2h 17m 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 Saint Joseph, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Camdenton, 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 Camdenton, MO
This is one driving day of about 205.7 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Camdenton, 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 MO 7 for about 142.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 157.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the exit toward MO 5 North, MO 7 North: Sunrise Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward MO 5 North, MO 7 North: Sunrise Beach
7
113.5 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|MO 7
Take the exit onto MO 7 toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: 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 right lanes.
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kan...
7
151.5 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward 11th Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 11th Street, Downtown
6
155.4 mi into trip|~3h 22m in|MO 9
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 9 toward MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
7
157.8 mi into trip|~3h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport, Saint Joseph
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.
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.16 one way
$64.32 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$35.31
$70.62
premium
$4.89
$39.59
$79.17
diesel
$5.61
$45.42
$90.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.7
0
$21.60
$9.87
Efficient EV
51.4
0
$18.00
$8.23
EV Truck/SUV
82.3
1
$28.80
$13.16
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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
Camdenton, MO
Night
in Camdenton on Saturday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Night
in Saint Joseph on Saturday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Holden, MO
103 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 20m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by high-speed efficiency, as the route is comprised of 98% highway travel. You will spend a significant portion of your time on MO 7, which features the trip's longest uninterrupted stretch of 142.8 miles. As you transition between these main arteries, the character of the road remains consistent and geared toward steady cruising. Navigating these regional highways requires focus, though the infrastructure is well-suited for a direct haul. The experience is primarily an interstate and state highway grind, prioritizing distance over technical, winding backroads.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 142.8 mi on MO 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 7 and I 29. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 205.7 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 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.5 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Camdenton, MO and Saint Joseph, MO, road signs point toward Clinton, Downtown and Parkville.
Clinton
46 mi in|~1h 5m|via MO 7
Downtown
151.5 mi in|~3h 15m
Parkville
155.4 mi in|~3h 22m|via MO 9
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 205.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 142.8 miles on MO 7. 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 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.5 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Joseph, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
