Green Park to Saint Joseph is 304.5 miles and takes about 5h 50m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, taking you across the Midwest region. Expect a route that primarily utilizes surface roads, offering a more grounded travel experience. Given the duration and distance, this is a solid option for a single-day excursion, though you could certainly break it up if you prefer a more leisurely pace.
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
152.3 miles from Green Park, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m 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
Avenue of the Saints
25.4 mi
30m
I 435
20.9 mi
22m
I 270
10 mi
12m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
7.8 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 27 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,893 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,398
Quietest
1 AM
~270 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.7×
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 Green Park, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on Arnett Drive
302 ft·14 sec·Arnett Drive
2
Turn right onto Antigo Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Antigo Drive
3
Turn left onto Mueller Road
0.3 mi·50 sec·Mueller Road
4
Turn right onto US 50; US 61; US 67
0.4 mi·56 sec·South Lindbergh Boulevard
5
Turn left onto MO 21
1.1 mi·2 min·Tesson Ferry Road
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·20 sec
Toward I 270 North
7
Merge onto I 270
10.0 mi·12 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
10
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·9 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
11
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
12
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.
13
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
16
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
17
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.
24
Merge onto I 435; US 24
7.8 mi·9 min·Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
25
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi·1 min·I435 N
26
Continue on I 435
21 mi·22 min·I 435
27
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
28
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Exit 43Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
29
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi·6 min·I 229
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 6AToward Central Business District
31
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·Edmond Street
32
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi·20 sec·South 10th Street
33
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft·6 sec·Frederick Avenue
34
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft·2 sec·Walter Welsh Avenue
35
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 50-minute drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and avoid late-night navigation on surface roads. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you transition to surface roads, where stations might be less frequent than on the highway. The fuel cost estimate of $54 is a good baseline for planning, but always factor in a buffer. Consider breaking up the drive around the 80-mile highway stretch if you prefer a more relaxed experience.
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 152.3 miles from Green Park, MO, or about 3h 2m 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 67 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.3 miles or 3h 2m 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 49m
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 Green Park, 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 Green Park, MO
This is one driving day of about 304.5 miles and 5h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Green Park, 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.5 and 271.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
12.5 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Lo...
8
12.6 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Went...
8
38.6 mi into trip|~50m 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
240.2 mi into trip|~4h 37m 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
271.3 mi into trip|~5h 13m 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
$44.97 one way
$89.94 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$49.64
$99.29
premium
$4.72
$56.54
$113.07
diesel
$4.80
$57.50
$114.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.4
1
$31.97
$14.62
Efficient EV
76.1
0
$26.64
$12.18
EV Truck/SUV
121.8
1
$42.63
$19.49
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Green Park, MO
Morning
in Green Park on Sunday
Local time
9:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 7 mph36% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Morning
in Saint Joseph on Sunday
Local time
9:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 9 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
91°F
Columbia, MO
152 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
1 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
5h 50m 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?
While about 21% of this route is on highways like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, the majority of your drive will be on surface roads. You'll encounter the longest stretch of highway cruising at 80.7 miles, also on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Be prepared for a significant portion of the drive to involve navigating through towns and potentially dealing with more frequent intersections and traffic lights as you transition away from the faster highway segments.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 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?
9/10
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 12.5 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 304.5 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: at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.6 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 50m. Total distance: 304.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 50m 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 42 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 42 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.6 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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 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.
