Dearborn Rest Area (Northbound)
0 mi from route
Trip from Forsyth, MO to Saint Joseph, MO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 17m
Distance
265.7 mi
428 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 4m
★
6 AM
5h 18m
8 AM
5h 44m
10 AM
5h 27m
12 PM
5h 24m
3 PM
5h 28m
5 PM
5h 43m
8 PM
5h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Forsyth, MO
Lena Khrupina
Saint Joseph, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Forsyth to Saint Joseph is 266 miles and takes about 5 hours and 17 minutes via North Kansas Expressway and I-29, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region. Most of the drive is on highways, making it a straightforward point-to-point journey. Expect a consistent travel pace for this relatively short, single-day trip. It's a good option if you need to get from the southern part of the state to the northwestern corner efficiently.
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
132.8 miles from Forsyth, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Kansas Expressway | 87.2 mi | 1h 42m |
| MO 7 | 73.9 mi | 1h 24m |
| I 29 | 40.2 mi | 44m |
| American Legion Memorial Highway | 12.2 mi | 14m |
| US Highway 65 | 12 mi | 13m |
| Schoolcraft Freeway | 10.7 mi | 13m |
| US 160 | 10.2 mi | 15m |
| I 229 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
North Kansas Expressway
— 87.2 mi, about 1h 42m
Traffic on I-29
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,269 veh/hr typical · worst 2,738
Quietest
2 AM
~208 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 103 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 Forsyth, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on Rockhill Drive
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Rockhill Drive
2
Turn slight left onto US 160
10 mi
·
15 min
·
US 160
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
4
Merge onto US 65
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
5
Continue on US 65
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 65
6
Continue on US 65
11 mi
·
12 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
7
Continue on US 65
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Schoolcraft Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 44 West: Joplin
9
Merge onto I 44
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Payne Stewart Highway
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
11
Keep slight left at fork
150 ft
·
3 sec
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
12
Keep slight right at fork
209 ft
·
7 sec
Exit 77
Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
13
Merge onto MO 13
87 mi
·
1 hr 42 min
·
North Kansas Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Continue on MO 7
36 mi
·
39 min
·
MO 7
15
Take the exit onto MO 7
38 mi
·
45 min
·
MO 7
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
Toward 11th Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
425 ft
·
16 sec
·
East 11th Street
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Charlotte Street
19
Turn left onto East 9th Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
East 9th Street
20
Turn right onto Locust Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Locust Street
21
Continue on MO 9
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
MO 9
22
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 9
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
MO 9
Toward MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 169 North: Smithville
24
Continue on US 169
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US 169
25
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport, Saint Joseph
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
26
Merge onto I 29; US 71
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 29; US 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
2.7 mi
·
2 min
·
I 29; I 435; US 71
28
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
29
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 43
Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
30
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
I 229
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 6A
Toward Central Business District
32
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Edmond Street
33
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South 10th Street
34
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft
·
6 sec
·
Frederick Avenue
35
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft
·
2 sec
·
Walter Welsh Avenue
36
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
Consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight for your 5 hour and 17 minute drive. With 266 miles and a fuel cost estimated at $42, it's a manageable one-day trip. You'll have one recommended stop, so plan it around the halfway point or when you feel you need a break. Pay attention to the transition off the main highways as you approach your destination, as this is where the driving pace may change. The majority of the route is on highways, so keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 87.2-mile stretch on North Kansas Expressway.
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 132.8 miles from Forsyth, MO, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.2 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 58 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.8 miles or 2h 41m 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 23m
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 Forsyth, 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 Forsyth, MO
This is one driving day of about 265.7 miles and 5h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Forsyth, 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 North Kansas Expressway for about 87.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 132.8 miles from Forsyth, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Kansas Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Dearborn Truck Parking (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Sapp Brothers Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 50.4 and 217.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
50.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MO 13: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
7
50.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
7
173.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m 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
211.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m 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
217.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 23m 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
$44.32 one way
$88.64 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $48.17 | $96.34 |
| premium | $5.26 | $55.01 | $110.02 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $64.64 | $129.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.7 | 0 | $27.90 | $12.75 |
| Efficient EV | 66.4 | 0 | $23.25 | $10.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.3 | 1 | $37.20 | $17.00 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Forsyth, MO
Morning in Forsyth on Saturday
Local time
6:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 12 mph
12% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 1:51AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Morning in Saint Joseph on Saturday
Local time
6:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Cloudy
NNW 16 to 23 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 1:51AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
55°F
Lincoln, MO
133 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 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.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 36.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 92% of the route utilizing them. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 87.2 miles, likely on North Kansas Expressway. Expect a predominantly highway driving experience, with the transition to surface roads occurring towards the end of your trip. The high percentage of highway driving suggests a steady pace with fewer interruptions from towns.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.2 mi on North Kansas Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Kansas Expressway and MO 7. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 50.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 265.7 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 50.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 50.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 173.5 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,229 ft
745 ft
Total Climb
700 ft
Total Descent
735 ft
Highest Point
1,229 ft
~39.1 mi in
Elevation Range
484 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Forsyth, MO and Saint Joseph, MO, road signs point toward Downtown and Parkville.
Downtown
211.5 mi in
|
~4h 11m
Parkville
215.4 mi in
|
~4h 19m
|
via MO 9
About the Cities
Starting in Forsyth, MO
Full guide →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 5h 17m. Total distance: 265.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.2 miles on North Kansas Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 50.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 50.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 173.5 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. 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.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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