Spanning 278.1 miles across Missouri, this route from Cottleville to Saint Joseph is a straightforward journey that takes approximately 5 hours and 17 minutes. Because the drive fits comfortably into a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. You should budget about $42 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwest locales. Navigating primarily along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, the path remains consistent in character from start to finish. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, this trip offers a manageable pace that avoids the need for complex multi-day planning.
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
139 miles from Cottleville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m 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
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
7.8 mi
9m
MO 364
6.2 mi
7m
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 Cottleville, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on Main Street
87 ft·5 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto Oak Street
186 ft·9 sec·Oak Street
3
Turn right onto MO N
428 ft·14 sec·MO N
4
Continue on Motherhead Road
0.2 mi·50 sec·Motherhead Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn right onto Gutermuth Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Gutermuth Road
6
Enter roundabout
155 ft·8 sec
7
Continue
162 ft·7 sec
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward MO 364 West
9
Merge onto MO 364
6.2 mi·7 min·MO 364
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: WentzvilleUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
3.8 mi·4 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto US 40
0.6 mi·1 min·US 40
Exit 1AToward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
16
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
17
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Exit 8BToward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 435; US 24
7.8 mi·9 min·Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
25
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi·1 min·I435 N
26
Continue on I 435
21 mi·22 min·I 435
27
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
28
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Exit 43Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
29
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi·6 min·I 229
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 6AToward Central Business District
31
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·Edmond Street
32
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi·20 sec·South 10th Street
33
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft·6 sec·Frederick Avenue
34
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft·2 sec·Walter Welsh Avenue
35
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, plan to depart early to make the most of your travel time and ensure you arrive in Saint Joseph with daylight to spare. You only need to account for one planned stop to keep your schedule on track and stay refreshed during the five-hour drive. Given the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip to ensure you don't run low between service stations. Flexibility is a major advantage here, as the relatively short duration allows you to adjust your departure time based on local traffic patterns. Keep your navigation system ready for the transitions between the Eisenhower and Submarine Veterans' Memorial highways to stay on the most efficient 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 139 miles from Cottleville, MO, or about 2h 43m 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 61 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139 miles or 2h 43m 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 21m
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 Cottleville, 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 Cottleville, MO
This is one driving day of about 278.1 miles and 5h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Cottleville, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 244.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Oak Street
Turn right onto Oak Street
Navigation decision point
8
7.7 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1B
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Went...
8
12.1 mi into trip|~17m 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
213.8 mi into trip|~4h 4m 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
244.9 mi into trip|~4h 39m 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
$41.29 one way
$82.58 round trip
$3.77/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.25
$46.57
$93.13
premium
$4.65
$50.96
$101.91
diesel
$5.30
$58.07
$116.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.3 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.4
1
$29.20
$13.35
Efficient EV
69.5
0
$24.33
$11.12
EV Truck/SUV
111.2
1
$38.93
$17.80
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Cottleville, MO
Night
in Cottleville on Saturday
Local time
11:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Night
in Saint Joseph on Saturday
Local time
11:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Columbia, MO
139 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
17 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 17m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Gateway Arch National Park
National Park
Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While about 22% of the journey utilizes major highways, the road requires frequent adjustments as you navigate through the regional landscape. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 80.7 miles while traveling on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which provides the most consistent cruising portion of your trip. The remainder of the route shifts away from high-speed interstate travel, favoring a more technical driving experience. Prepare for a road that feels less like a monotonous grind and more like an active, engaging navigation through the heart of the state.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 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?
8/10
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 early in the drive near Oak Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 278.1 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: near the start (Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.1 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 17m. Total distance: 278.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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: near the start (Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.1 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 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.
