Ellisville to Saint Joseph is 290.4 miles and takes about 5h 33m via the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, specifically Missouri, offering a familiar regional landscape. Expect a route that balances highway speeds with more local road driving, making it a straightforward, single-day trip. If you're looking for a manageable drive with a predictable fuel cost, this route is a solid choice for a day trip.
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
145.2 miles from Ellisville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m 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
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,284 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,878
Quietest
1 AM
~292 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellisville, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on MO 100
335 ft·14 sec·Manchester Road
2
Turn left onto MO 340
4.6 mi·8 min·Clarkson Road
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on MO 340
483 ft·16 sec·Olive Boulevard
4
Turn left onto North Outer 40
0.4 mi·58 sec·North Outer 40
5
Take the ramp
457 ft·11 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 NorthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
19 mi·23 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
7
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.
8
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
9
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12
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.
19
Merge onto I 435; US 24
7.8 mi·9 min·Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
20
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi·1 min·I435 N
21
Continue on I 435
21 mi·22 min·I 435
22
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
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Exit 43Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
24
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi·6 min·I 229
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 6AToward Central Business District
26
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·Edmond Street
27
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi·20 sec·South 10th Street
28
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft·6 sec·Frederick Avenue
29
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft·2 sec·Walter Welsh Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 33m duration and a single recommended day, leaving Ellisville in the morning should allow ample time to reach Saint Joseph comfortably. With only one stop suggested, plan a mid-way break to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, though the total fuel cost is estimated at $45. Keep an eye on your navigation as the route incorporates local roads, so staying aware of turns is key. The longest continuous highway stretch is 80.7 miles on the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, so plan accordingly for that segment.
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 145.2 miles from Ellisville, MO, or about 2h 52m 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 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.2 miles or 2h 52m 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 35m
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 Ellisville, 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 Ellisville, MO
This is one driving day of about 290.4 miles and 5h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Ellisville, 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 257.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|MO 340 / Clarkson Road
Turn left onto MO 340 / Clarkson Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
5.1 mi into trip|~10m 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
24.4 mi into trip|~33m 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
226.1 mi into trip|~4h 20m 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
257.2 mi into trip|~4h 56m 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
$48.44 one way
$96.88 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$52.86
$105.71
premium
$5.25
$60.06
$120.12
diesel
$6.28
$71.75
$143.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.1
1
$30.49
$13.94
Efficient EV
72.6
0
$25.41
$11.62
EV Truck/SUV
116.2
1
$40.66
$18.59
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 Oct 21, 2026
Origin
Ellisville, MO
Night
in Ellisville on Saturday
Local time
10:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Mostly Clear
SE 2 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Night
in Saint Joseph on Saturday
Local time
10:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Chance Rain Showers
SSE 2 to 6 mph13% chanceLive forecast
53°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
4 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 33m 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?
This route features a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, with about 19% of the journey on highways. While there are some stretches on the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, including one of 80.7 miles, the overall feel is more about navigating through towns and local roads. You'll likely experience varied speed limits and more frequent intersections compared to a pure interstate experience. Be prepared for a drive that requires attention to local traffic patterns as you transition between highway segments and more community-focused roadways.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 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 MO 340 / Clarkson Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 290.4 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 (MO 340 / Clarkson Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.4 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 33m. Total distance: 290.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 33m 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.
Yes — we found about 41 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 41 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (MO 340 / Clarkson Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.4 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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 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.
