This 208.2-mile journey from Fulton to Saint Joseph, Missouri, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 55 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and I-29, with about 26% of the drive being on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $33. Given its relatively short duration and straightforward path through the Midwest, it's a practical choice for a quick getaway or an efficient transit between these two Missouri cities. You'll likely find this drive to be a turn-heavy local experience, so plan for a bit more engagement than a pure interstate cruise.
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
104.1 miles from Fulton, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
62.7 mi
1h 8m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
I 29
26 mi
27m
I 435
20.9 mi
22m
Martin Luther King Junior Drive
10.2 mi
14m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
7.8 mi
9m
I 229
5.7 mi
6m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 62.7 mi, about 1h 8m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,281 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,776
Quietest
2 AM
~286 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Fulton, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on Court Street
24 ft·3 sec·Court Street
2
Turn right onto West 4th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West 4th Street
3
Continue on MO F
10 mi·14 min·Martin Luther King Junior Drive
4
Continue on MO J
0.8 mi·1 min·MO J
5
Turn right onto MO J
3.5 mi·4 min·MO J
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·12 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
7
Merge onto I 70; US 40
8.4 mi·9 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
9
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
11
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.
18
Merge onto I 435; US 24
7.8 mi·9 min·Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
19
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi·1 min·I435 N
20
Continue on I 435
21 mi·22 min·I 435
21
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
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Exit 43Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
23
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi·6 min·I 229
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 6AToward Central Business District
25
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·Edmond Street
26
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi·20 sec·South 10th Street
27
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft·6 sec·Frederick Avenue
28
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft·2 sec·Walter Welsh Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
With a total duration under four hours, this drive is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and potentially avoid heavier traffic. You'll have about 62.7 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway as your longest continuous stretch, so consider refueling before you hit that segment if your tank is low. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, staying alert and keeping your GPS handy will be beneficial for navigating the numerous turns. Plan for one stop to break up the journey and stretch your legs.
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 104.1 miles from Fulton, MO, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.7 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 46 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.1 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 13m
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 Fulton, 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 Fulton, MO
This is one driving day of about 208.2 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Fulton, 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 62.7 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.9 and 207.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
14.9 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
8
143.9 mi into trip|~2h 42m 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
175 mi into trip|~3h 17m 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
201 mi into trip|~3h 45m 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
5
207.3 mi into trip|~3h 53m in
Take the exit toward Central Business District
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 6A
Toward Central Business District
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.75 one way
$61.49 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$33.94
$67.89
premium
$4.72
$38.66
$77.31
diesel
$4.80
$39.31
$78.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.5
0
$21.86
$9.99
Efficient EV
52.1
0
$18.22
$8.33
EV Truck/SUV
83.3
1
$29.15
$13.32
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Fulton, MO
Evening
in Fulton on Monday
Local time
7:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Evening
in Saint Joseph on Monday
Local time
7:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 7 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
90°F
Oak Grove, MO
104 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
2 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
3h 55m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 drive characterized by frequent turns, typical of local routes, rather than a monotonous interstate grind. While 26% of the journey utilizes highways, much of your time will be spent on roads that require more active navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 62.7 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a brief period of consistent travel. The road profile suggests a dynamic driving experience, transitioning between different types of roadways as you make your way across Missouri.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.7 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 14.9 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
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 208.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 14.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175 miles (I 29; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
995 ft654 ft
Total Climb
971 ft
Total Descent
841 ft
Highest Point
995 ft
~193.4 mi in
Elevation Range
341 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 208.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (26%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.7 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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.
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 14.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175 miles (I 29; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Joseph, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
