Hayti, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is 483 miles and takes about 9 hours 1 minute via I 55, with a fuel budget near $75 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though an overnight stay is recommended. This route traverses the Midwest, staying within Missouri for its entirety. It offers a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, suitable for those who appreciate varied driving experiences. Planning for two recommended days allows for a more relaxed pace, breaking up the 9-hour drive into manageable segments.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
241.5 miles from Hayti, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
175.7 mi
3h 8m
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
11.5 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 175.7 mi, about 3h 8m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 23 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,281 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,830
Quietest
1 AM
~292 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
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 Hayti, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on South 3rd Street
108 ft·8 sec·South 3rd Street
2
Turn right onto MO 84
1.1 mi·2 min·East Washington Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 55 North, US 61 North: Sikeston
4
Merge onto I 55; US 61
74 mi·1 hr 19 min·I 55; US 61
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
102 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 55
6
Continue on I 55
1.3 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 196Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
388 ft·8 sec
Toward I 270 West: Kansas CityUse the slight left lane.
9
Continue on this road
0.7 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 196Toward I 270 West
10
Merge onto I 270
11 mi·14 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
12
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.
13
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·9 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
14
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
15
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.
16
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
17
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
18
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
19
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
20
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.
27
Merge onto I 435; US 24
7.8 mi·9 min·Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
28
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi·1 min·I435 N
29
Continue on I 435
21 mi·22 min·I 435
30
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
31
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Exit 43Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
32
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi·6 min·I 229
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 6AToward Central Business District
34
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·Edmond Street
35
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi·20 sec·South 10th Street
36
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft·6 sec·Frederick Avenue
37
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft·2 sec·Walter Welsh Avenue
38
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of over 9 hours, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended. Aim to leave Hayti in the morning to maximize your daylight hours for the first leg. The estimated fuel cost is around $75, so factor that into your budget. Plan for at least two stops to stretch your legs and refuel. Given the 50% highway share, be prepared for both faster highway speeds and slower surface road conditions, especially as you approach Saint Joseph.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 241.5 miles from Hayti, MO, or about 4h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 175.7 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 106 miles or 1h 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 241.5 miles or 4h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 241.5 miles or 4h 30m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 54m
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 Hayti, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hayti, MO
Aim for roughly 242 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Saint Joseph, MO
Aim for roughly 242 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 106 miles from Hayti, MO.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 175.7 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 178.4 and 217 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
178.4 mi into trip|~3h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
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 196
Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chi...
8
178.7 mi into trip|~3h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
8
191 mi into trip|~3h 29m 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
191.1 mi into trip|~3h 29m 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
217 mi into trip|~4h 1m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$80.30 one way
$160.61 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg169 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$87.47
$174.94
premium
$5.18
$98.56
$197.12
diesel
$5.35
$101.73
$203.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$80
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$210–$320
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 169 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $51 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
144.9
1
$50.72
$23.18
Efficient EV
120.8
1
$42.26
$19.32
EV Truck/SUV
193.2
2
$67.62
$30.91
Gas CO2
169 kg
EV CO2
57 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Hayti, MO
Afternoon
in Hayti on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 5 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:06AM CDT until June 1 at 4:45AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:04AM CDT until June 1 at 4:30AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Afternoon
in Saint Joseph on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
ENE 3 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:06AM CDT until June 1 at 4:45AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:04AM CDT until June 1 at 4:30AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
3 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
9h 1m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the B...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 133.2
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$19
near mile 183.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 50% of this 483-mile drive is on major highways like I 55. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 175.7 miles on I 55 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a mixed driving experience with frequent exits and rural cruising as you move between highway segments and local roads.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 175.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 around 178.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 483 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 178.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
976 ft270 ft
Total Climb
853 ft
Total Descent
229 ft
Highest Point
976 ft
~448.5 mi in
Elevation Range
706 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hayti, MO and Saint Joseph, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 175.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 242 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 57 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 57 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 178.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park and Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.0 hours each way, a round trip means 18.1 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.
