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Trip from Gerald, MO to Saint Joseph, MO

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 14m

Distance

272.5 mi

439 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 1m ★
6 AM
5h 14m
8 AM
5h 41m
10 AM
5h 24m
12 PM
5h 21m
3 PM
5h 25m
5 PM
5h 40m
8 PM
5h 6m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Gerald, MO, MO

Gerald, MO

cottonbro studio

city in and county seat of Buchanan County, Missouri, United States

Saint Joseph, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Gerald, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is 272.5 miles and takes about 5h 14m via U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, and Fitzgerald, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region from start to finish. Expect a mixed drive that's manageable for a single day, making it a straightforward journey. The route offers a practical way to connect these two points without extensive planning, perfect for a quick transit or a day trip with a specific destination in mind.

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

136.2 miles from Gerald, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 43m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway 54.4 mi 58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 54.3 mi 58m
Fitzgerald 36.2 mi 41m
US 63 28.1 mi 31m
I 29 26 mi 27m
I 435 20.9 mi 22m
US 50 17.7 mi 21m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway 7.8 mi 9m
Longest stretch: U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway — 54.4 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gerald, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.

1

Start on Main Street

31 ft · 6 sec · Main Street
2

Turn left onto 4th Street

0.1 mi · 28 sec · 4th Street
3

Merge onto US 50

36 mi · 41 min · Fitzgerald
4

Continue on MO U

0.3 mi · 38 sec · MO U
5

Turn right onto County Route 605

1.5 mi · 5 min · County Route 605
6

Turn right onto County Route 604

0.6 mi · 2 min · County Route 604
7

Continue on Loose Creek Highway

1.0 mi · 2 min · Loose Creek Highway
8

Turn left onto Wolf Ridge Trail

0.4 mi · 1 min · Wolf Ridge Trail
9

Turn right onto US 50

18 mi · 21 min · US 50
10

Take the exit onto US 63

0.3 mi · 40 sec · US 63
Toward US 54 East, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbia
11

Merge onto US 54; US 63

1.4 mi · 1 min · US 54; US 63
12

Take the exit onto US 63

28 mi · 30 min · US 63
Toward US 63 North: Columbia
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 70, US 40, MO PP: Kansas City, Saint Louis Use the left / straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on US 63 Conn

0.2 mi · 31 sec · US 63 Conn
Use the straight lane.
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City Use the left lane.
16

Merge onto I 70; US 40

1.3 mi · 1 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
17

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.6 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
18

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
19

Continue on I 70; US 40

54 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
20

Continue on I 70; US 40

52 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
21

Continue on I 70

2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
22

Continue on I 70

1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Continue on I 70

2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
24

Continue on I 70

0.8 mi · 58 sec · George Brett Super Highway
25

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 2 min
Exit 8B Toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Merge onto I 435; US 24

7.8 mi · 9 min · Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
27

Continue on I435 N

1.3 mi · 1 min · I435 N
28

Continue on I 435

21 mi · 22 min · I 435
29

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
30

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 54 sec
Exit 43 Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
31

Continue on I 229

5.7 mi · 6 min · I 229
32

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 6A Toward Central Business District
33

Continue on Edmond Street

0.5 mi · 57 sec · Edmond Street
34

Turn left onto I 29 Business

0.2 mi · 20 sec · South 10th Street
35

Turn right onto I 29 Business

379 ft · 6 sec · Frederick Avenue
36

Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue

137 ft · 2 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
37

Arrive at destination

Walter Welsh Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the 5h 14m duration, departing in the morning from Gerald, MO, allows ample time to reach Saint Joseph, MO, before evening. With only one recommended stop, you can be flexible with your pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before longer stretches like the 54.4 miles on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, as services might be spaced out. The $43 fuel cost is a good baseline, but always factor in potential price variations. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the advantage of not needing to rush and can adjust your departure time based on your needs.

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 136.2 miles from Gerald, MO, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.4 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 60 miles or 1h 18m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 136.2 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 19m

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 Gerald, 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 Gerald, MO

This is one driving day of about 272.5 miles and 5h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Gerald, 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 U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway for about 54.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Columbia, MO

136 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

Jefferson City, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sedalia, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 136.2 miles from Gerald, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

Best meal stop · final third

Thailand Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Blue Springs, Missouri

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third · 1h 30m to go 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+18162293292

Visit website

El Canelo Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Elwood, Kansas

1.9 mi

Le Peep

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Joseph, Missouri

2.7 mi

Thailand Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Blue Springs, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+18162293292

Visit website

El Canelo Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Elwood, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19133655550

Visit website

Le Peep

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

St Joseph, Missouri

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+18166719793

Visit website

Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

St Joseph, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18162593284

Visit website

Wolcano Teppanyaki

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

North Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18168281200

Visit website

Nelle Belle's Diner

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

Final third 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+18162161474

Chappell's Restaurant & Sports Museum

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

Final third 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18164210002

Visit website

Chef Tito´s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

Final third 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

North Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 4–9 pm

+18168414700

Visit website

Core Coffee & Eatery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18162875027

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Pilot EV Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Boonville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16608829120

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Charge Pro Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Jefferson City, Missouri

+18888074522

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Boonville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Glore Psychiatric Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

St Joseph, Missouri

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18162328471

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 239.3 — 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 | 4th Street

Turn left onto 4th Street

Navigation decision point

7
87.4 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in

Take the exit toward I 70, US 40, MO PP: Kansas City, Saint Louis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left / straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 70, US 40, MO PP: Kansas City, Saint L...
9
88 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in

Take the exit 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 left lane. Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
8
208.2 mi into trip | ~4h 1m 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
239.3 mi into trip | ~4h 36m 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

$42.60 one way

$85.20 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 95 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $46.78 $93.55
premium $4.89 $52.44 $104.88
diesel $5.61 $60.16 $120.33

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 95.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 81.8 1 $28.61 $13.08
Efficient EV 68.1 0 $23.84 $10.90
EV Truck/SUV 109 1 $38.15 $17.44

Gas CO2

95 kg

EV CO2

32 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 20, 2026

Origin

Gerald, MO

Morning in Gerald on Tuesday

Local time

8:24 AM

CDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Saint Joseph, MO

Morning in Saint Joseph on Tuesday

Local time

8:24 AM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

69°F

Columbia, MO

136 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

13 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 14m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route offers a mixed drive experience, with 38% of it utilizing highway segments. You'll encounter stretches like the 54.4 miles on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, which can feel quite uninterrupted. The overall character shifts between faster highway driving and potentially more local road segments as you progress. This blend means you won't be on a single type of road for the entire 5-hour duration, offering some variation in your driving experience.

38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.4 mi on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 4th Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 272.5 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 (4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 87.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Gerald, MO and Saint Joseph, MO, road signs point toward Columbia, Mo Pp: Kansas City and Saint Louis.

Columbia

57.9 mi in | ~1h 16m | via US 63

Mo Pp: Kansas City

87.4 mi in | ~1h 49m

Saint Louis

87.4 mi in | ~1h 49m

About the Cities

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 14m. Total distance: 272.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 54.4 miles on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial 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 (4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 87.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88 miles: 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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