Jackson, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is 399.1 miles and takes about 7h 33m via I 55 and Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads for much of the trip. It's a manageable one-day drive, but be prepared for the duration and the variety of road types you'll encounter.
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
199.5 miles from Jackson, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
89.2 mi
1h 36m
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
— 89.2 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on East Main Street
28 ft·8 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn sharp left
83 ft·2 sec
3
Enter roundabout onto I 55 Bus; US 61
35 ft·0 sec·North Hope Street
Toward I 55 Business, US 61 North
4
Continue on I 55 Bus; US 61
295 ft·12 sec·North Hope Street
Toward I 55 Business, US 61 North
5
Turn left onto I 55 Bus; US 61
344 ft·9 sec·East Washington Street
6
Continue on I 55 Bus; US 61
3.7 mi·6 min·North High Street
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 55 North: Perryville, Saint Louis
8
Merge onto I 55
89 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 55
9
Continue on I 55
1.3 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 196Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
388 ft·8 sec
Toward I 270 West: Kansas CityUse the slight left lane.
12
Continue on this road
0.7 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 196Toward I 270 West
13
Merge onto I 270
11 mi·14 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
15
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.
16
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·9 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
17
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
18
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.
19
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
20
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
21
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
22
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
23
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.
30
Merge onto I 435; US 24
7.8 mi·9 min·Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
31
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi·1 min·I435 N
32
Continue on I 435
21 mi·22 min·I 435
33
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
34
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Exit 43Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
35
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi·6 min·I 229
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 6AToward Central Business District
37
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·Edmond Street
38
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi·20 sec·South 10th Street
39
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft·6 sec·Frederick Avenue
40
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft·2 sec·Walter Welsh Avenue
41
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7.5-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from Jackson, MO, to maximize daylight. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 399.1 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as the highway percentage drops; the $62 fuel estimate should help you budget. The longest stretch without a major road change is about 89 miles, so plan your mid-drive break around that point.
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 199.5 miles from Jackson, MO, or about 3h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.2 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 88 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 199.5 miles or 3h 51m 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 26m
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 Jackson, 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 Jackson, MO
This is one driving day of about 399.1 miles and 7h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Jackson, 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 55 for about 89.2 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 94.5 and 133.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
94.5 mi into trip|~1h 44m 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
94.7 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
107 mi into trip|~2h 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
107.2 mi into trip|~2h 1m 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
133.1 mi into trip|~2h 33m 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
$62.39 one way
$124.79 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg140 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$68.51
$137.01
premium
$4.89
$76.80
$153.61
diesel
$5.61
$88.12
$176.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 139.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
119.7
1
$41.91
$19.16
Efficient EV
99.8
1
$34.92
$15.96
EV Truck/SUV
159.6
1
$55.87
$25.54
Gas CO2
140 kg
EV CO2
47 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
Jackson, MO
Late night
in Jackson on Tuesday
Local time
4:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Late night
in Saint Joseph on Tuesday
Local time
4:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live 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
9 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 33m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 41.3
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
$19
near mile 96.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 39% of your time on highways, covering a longest stretch of 89.2 miles on I 55. The highway portion will eventually transition to surface roads as you get closer to your destination. Expect a good number of exits and merges early on, before settling into more rural cruising.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.2 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 94.5 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 22 significant decision points across 399.1 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 94.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107 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 Jackson, MO and Saint Joseph, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 33m. Total distance: 399.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.2 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 48 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 48 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 94.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107 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 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.1 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.
