Ironton, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is 353.3 miles and takes about 7h 16m via I 70, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily uses I 70, making it a highway-focused trip across Missouri. You'll be traveling from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest, staying within the same state for the entirety of your journey. Plan for a straightforward, efficient drive, with the majority of your time spent on the interstate. It's a solid option if you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss and a predictable travel time.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
176.6 miles from Ironton, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
176.4 mi
3h 14m
MO 47
51.5 mi
1h 22m
MO 21
38.6 mi
56m
I 29
26 mi
27m
I 435
20.9 mi
22m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
7.8 mi
9m
MO 30
6.2 mi
9m
North Main Street
6.2 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 176.4 mi, about 3h 14m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 17 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,343 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,885
Quietest
2 AM
~293 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Ironton, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
Exit 8BToward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 435; US 24
7.8 mi·9 min·Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
20
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi·1 min·I435 N
21
Continue on I 435
21 mi·22 min·I 435
22
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
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Exit 43Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
24
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi·6 min·I 229
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 6AToward Central Business District
26
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·Edmond Street
27
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi·20 sec·South 10th Street
28
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft·6 sec·Frederick Avenue
29
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft·2 sec·Walter Welsh Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 16m estimated duration, leaving in the morning will comfortably allow you to complete this 353.3-mile drive within daylight hours. With only two recommended stops, you can be strategic about where you refuel and stretch your legs, perhaps planning one around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 176.4 miles on I 70, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. The fuel cost is estimated at $55, so factor that into your budget.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 176.6 miles from Ironton, MO, or about 3h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.4 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 78 miles or 2h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.6 miles or 3h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 10m
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 Ironton, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ironton, MO
This is one driving day of about 353.3 miles and 7h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Ironton, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 70 for about 176.4 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 72.6 and 320.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
72.6 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|US 50; MO 47
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; MO 47
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
73.1 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|MO 47
Turn right onto MO 47
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
104.2 mi into trip|~2h 40m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesburg
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesbu...
8
289 mi into trip|~6h 4m 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
320.1 mi into trip|~6h 39m 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
$52.17 one way
$104.35 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg124 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$57.60
$115.20
premium
$4.72
$65.60
$131.19
diesel
$4.80
$66.71
$133.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106
1
$37.10
$16.96
Efficient EV
88.3
1
$30.91
$14.13
EV Truck/SUV
141.3
1
$49.46
$22.61
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (67% 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
Ironton, MO
Late night
in Ironton on Sunday
Local time
1:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Late night
in Saint Joseph on Sunday
Local time
1:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
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
7h 16m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 predominantly highway-focused drive, with 93% of the route utilizing major roadways like I 70. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 176.4 miles on I 70, so prepare for extended periods of consistent speed. While MO 47 and MO 21 offer a brief change of pace, the overall character of this trip is defined by its interstate segments. This means a generally smooth ride with ample opportunities for cruising, but also long stretches where the scenery might become less varied.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 176.4 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and MO 47. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 72.6 miles in near US 50; MO 47.
Driving Effort6/10
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 353.3 miles you will encounter 16 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 72.6 miles (US 50; MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 73.1 miles (MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 104.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,099 ft618 ft
Total Climb
750 ft
Total Descent
769 ft
Highest Point
1,099 ft
~25.2 mi in
Elevation Range
480 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ironton, MO to Saint Joseph, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Jonesburg along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 16m. Total distance: 353.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 176.4 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 36 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 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 72.6 miles (US 50; MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 73.1 miles (MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 104.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 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.
