Origin
Cole Camp, MO
Late night in Cole Camp on Tuesday
Local time
4:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cole Camp, MO to Saint Joseph, MO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 16m
Distance
163.9 mi
264 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 4m
★
6 AM
3h 16m
8 AM
3h 40m
10 AM
3h 24m
12 PM
3h 22m
3 PM
3h 26m
5 PM
3h 39m
8 PM
3h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cole Camp, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Saint Joseph, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Cole Camp, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is 163.9 miles and takes about 3h 16m via West Broadway Boulevard and I-435/I-29, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest and within Missouri, offering a straightforward trip between two points in the state. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll find this route is primarily highway driving, making it a convenient option for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning. It's a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient journey.
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
82 miles from Cole Camp, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Broadway Boulevard | 68 mi | 1h 20m |
| I 435 | 32.3 mi | 35m |
| I 29 | 26 mi | 27m |
| US 65 | 10.6 mi | 14m |
| Blue Parkway | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| MO 52 | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| I 229 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| State Highway 52 | 3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
West Broadway Boulevard
— 68 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cole Camp, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on South Maple Street
76 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Maple Street
2
Turn left onto MO 52
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
3
Continue on MO 52
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 52
4
Take the ramp onto MO 52
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
MO 52
Toward US 65 North, MO 52 Wesy: Sedalia
5
Continue on US 65
11 mi
·
14 min
·
US 65
6
Turn left onto US 50
68 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
West Broadway Boulevard
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on MO 350
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Blue Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 435 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 435
11 mi
·
13 min
·
I 435
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I435 N
11
Continue on I 435
21 mi
·
22 min
·
I 435
12
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
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 43
Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
14
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
I 229
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 6A
Toward Central Business District
16
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Edmond Street
17
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South 10th Street
18
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft
·
6 sec
·
Frederick Avenue
19
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft
·
2 sec
·
Walter Welsh Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
Given this is a 1-day trip covering 163.9 miles, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to reach Saint Joseph with ample time. The longest stretch on West Broadway Boulevard is 68 miles, so plan your first fuel stop before you hit that section if your tank is low. With a total estimated fuel cost of $26, this trip is quite economical. Keep an eye on your GPS as you navigate the transitions onto I-435 and I-29 to ensure you're on the most direct path.
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 82 miles from Cole Camp, MO, or about 1h 40m 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 36 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 42m
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 Cole Camp, 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 Cole Camp, MO
This is one driving day of about 163.9 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Cole Camp, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82 miles from Cole Camp, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before West Broadway Boulevard if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 4 and 156.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4 mi into trip
|
~6m 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
96.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 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
97.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
|
I 435
Merge onto I 435
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
130.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m 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
156.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.62 one way
$51.25 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.13 | $56.27 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.54 | $63.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.19 | $72.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.2 | 0 | $17.21 | $7.87 |
| Efficient EV | 41 | 0 | $14.34 | $6.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.6 | 0 | $22.95 | $10.49 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Late night in Saint Joseph on Tuesday
Local time
4:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
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
3h 16m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This journey offers a mixed drive, with 57% of it on highways like I-435 and I-29. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 68 miles on West Broadway Boulevard early in your trip, which gives you a feel for local roads before transitioning to faster highway speeds. The road character changes as you progress, moving from more local thoroughfares to the interstate system, providing a dynamic driving experience rather than a monotonous one. Expect a blend of cruising and highway travel.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68 mi on West Broadway Boulevard.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4 miles in near MO 52.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 163.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 4 miles (MO 52): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.2 miles (I 435): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Saint Joseph, MO
Full guide →Founded 1843
Top landmarks
- • Patee House
- • Missouri Theatre — theater, former movie theater and commercial building in St. Joseph, Missouri, U...
- • German-American Bank Building — historic building in St. Joseph, Missouri, USA
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 163.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68 miles on West Broadway Boulevard. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 4 miles (MO 52): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.2 miles (I 435): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Joseph, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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