Spanning 406.7 miles across Missouri, this trek from Doniphan to Saint Joseph takes approximately 8 hours and 8 minutes of pure driving time. Because of the length, you should plan for a two-day itinerary rather than attempting it in a single push. You will primarily navigate via US 60, the North Kansas Expressway, and MO 7, keeping your budget in mind with an estimated $62 fuel cost. Since this is a highway-focused journey, it is best suited for travelers who prefer consistent momentum over frequent backroad detours. Breaking the trip into two days allows you to manage the distance comfortably while moving through the heart of the Midwest.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
203.4 miles from Doniphan, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 60
153 mi
2h 59m
North Kansas Expressway
87.2 mi
1h 42m
MO 7
73.9 mi
1h 24m
I 29
40.2 mi
44m
MO 21
22.4 mi
33m
Schoolcraft Freeway
8.1 mi
10m
I 229
5.7 mi
6m
Payne Stewart Highway
4.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 60
— 153 mi, about 2h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Doniphan, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on Plum Street
169 ft·9 sec·Plum Street
2
Turn right onto MO 142
0.7 mi·1 min·Walnut Street
3
Turn right onto US 160; MO 21
2.0 mi·2 min·US 160; MO 21
4
Continue on MO 21
22 mi·33 min·MO 21
5
Turn left onto US 60; MO 21
57 mi·1 hr 6 min·US 60; MO 21
6
Continue on US 60; MO 17
26 mi·30 min·US 60; MO 17
7
Continue on US 60; US 63
71 mi·1 hr 22 min·US 60; US 63
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward US 65 North: Sedalia
9
Merge onto US 65
8.1 mi·10 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 44 West: Joplin
11
Merge onto I 44
4.1 mi·5 min·Payne Stewart Highway
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13: Bolivar
13
Keep slight left at fork
150 ft·3 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13: Bolivar
14
Keep slight right at fork
209 ft·7 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
15
Merge onto MO 13
87 mi·1 hr 42 min·North Kansas Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on MO 7
36 mi·39 min·MO 7
17
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.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward 11th Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
425 ft·16 sec·East 11th Street
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Charlotte Street
21
Turn left onto East 9th Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·East 9th Street
22
Turn right onto Locust Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·Locust Street
23
Continue on MO 9
3.0 mi·5 min·MO 9
24
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 9
0.9 mi·1 min·MO 9
Toward MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward US 169 North: Smithville
26
Continue on US 169
1.2 mi·1 min·US 169
27
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.
28
Merge onto I 29; US 71
12 mi·13 min·I 29; US 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
2.7 mi·2 min·I 29; I 435; US 71
30
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
31
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Exit 43Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
32
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi·6 min·I 229
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 6AToward Central Business District
34
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·Edmond Street
35
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi·20 sec·South 10th Street
36
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft·6 sec·Frederick Avenue
37
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft·2 sec·Walter Welsh Avenue
38
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
To keep your drive manageable, aim to break up the 8-hour duration with at least two planned stops. Since you are traveling across the state, consider your departure time carefully to avoid peak traffic near the urban stretches of the North Kansas Expressway. With a fuel budget of $62, it is wise to top off your tank before starting your longest 153-mile stretch on US 60 to avoid any stress in more remote sections. Prioritize your comfort by splitting the trip over two days, which allows you to arrive in Saint Joseph feeling refreshed rather than fatigued. By sticking to this paced approach, you can navigate the highway-heavy terrain with confidence and ease.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 203.4 miles from Doniphan, MO, or about 4h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 89 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 203.4 miles or 4h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 203.4 miles or 4h 8m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 55m
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 Doniphan, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Doniphan, MO
Aim for roughly 203 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Saint Joseph, MO
Aim for roughly 203 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Doniphan, MO.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 60 for about 153 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 191.4 and 358.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
191.4 mi into trip|~3h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MO 13: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
7
191.4 mi into trip|~3h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
7
314.6 mi into trip|~6h 17m 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
352.5 mi into trip|~7h 2m 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
7
358.8 mi into trip|~7h 13m 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
$63.58 one way
$127.17 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg142 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$69.81
$139.62
premium
$4.89
$78.27
$156.53
diesel
$5.61
$89.79
$179.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$194–$304
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 142.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
122
1
$42.70
$19.52
Efficient EV
101.7
1
$35.59
$16.27
EV Truck/SUV
162.7
2
$56.94
$26.03
Gas CO2
142 kg
EV CO2
48 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
Doniphan, MO
Evening
in Doniphan on Saturday
Local time
8:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Evening
in Saint Joseph on Saturday
Local time
8:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Billings, MO
203 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
3 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
8h 8m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 consistent, highway-focused experience, as 98% of your journey stays on major routes. You will settle into a steady rhythm on US 60, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 153 miles. Transitioning between the North Kansas Expressway and MO 7 ensures that you maintain high speeds for the majority of the 406.7-mile drive. While the road personality is largely defined by efficient, high-speed transit, the environment remains reliable and straightforward. You won't find many technical turns here, making it a predictable route for those who want to cover significant ground quickly.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 153 mi on US 60.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 60 and North Kansas Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 191.4 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 27 significant decision points across 406.7 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 191.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 191.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 314.6 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,652 ft398 ft
Total Climb
1,434 ft
Total Descent
938 ft
Highest Point
1,652 ft
~145.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,254 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Doniphan, MO and Saint Joseph, MO, road signs point toward Downtown and Parkville.
Downtown
352.5 mi in|~7h 2m
Parkville
356.4 mi in|~7h 10m|via MO 9
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 153 miles on US 60. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 203 miles on day one.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 191.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 191.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 314.6 miles (MO 7): 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 8.1 hours each way, a round trip means 16.3 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.
