Marshfield, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is 231.5 miles and takes about 4h 41m via MO 13, MO 7, and I-29, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest and entirely within Missouri, offering a straightforward drive. With an 87% highway share, most of your travel will be on faster roads. This route is best suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
115.7 miles from Marshfield, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MO 13
76.3 mi
1h 30m
MO 7
73.9 mi
1h 24m
I 29
40.2 mi
44m
MO CC
9.2 mi
12m
MO E
7.2 mi
9m
County Road 523
5.9 mi
8m
I 229
5.7 mi
6m
MO 9
3.9 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
MO 13
— 76.3 mi, about 1h 30m
Traffic on I-29
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,163 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,528
Quietest
1 AM
~216 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
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 Marshfield, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on North Clay Street
501 ft·23 sec·North Clay Street
2
Turn right onto MO 38
0.6 mi·1 min·West Jackson Street
3
Continue on US Historic 66; MO 38
0.2 mi·30 sec·West Washington Street
4
Continue on MO 38
0.8 mi·1 min·Spur Drive
5
At end of road, turn left onto MO 38
1.2 mi·1 min·County Road 523
6
Keep slight right at fork onto MO 38
4.7 mi·6 min·County Road 523
7
Keep slight left at fork onto MO E
7.1 mi·9 min·MO E
8
Keep slight right at fork onto MO E
477 ft·9 sec·MO E
9
Turn right onto MO 125
0.2 mi·16 sec·South Grove Road
10
Continue on MO 125
3.0 mi·4 min·East Old Mill Road
11
Continue on MO CC
9.2 mi·12 min·MO CC
12
Turn right onto MO 13
76 mi·1 hr 30 min·MO 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on MO 7
36 mi·39 min·MO 7
14
Take the exit onto MO 7
38 mi·45 min·MO 7
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward 11th Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
425 ft·16 sec·East 11th Street
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Charlotte Street
18
Turn left onto East 9th Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·East 9th Street
19
Turn right onto Locust Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·Locust Street
20
Continue on MO 9
3.0 mi·5 min·MO 9
21
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 9
0.9 mi·1 min·MO 9
Toward MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward US 169 North: Smithville
23
Continue on US 169
1.2 mi·1 min·US 169
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport, Saint JosephUse the straight / slight left lanes.
25
Merge onto I 29; US 71
12 mi·13 min·I 29; US 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
2.7 mi·2 min·I 29; I 435; US 71
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
Given the 4h 41m drive time and 231.5 miles, departing in the morning should allow you to arrive in Saint Joseph well before evening. With only one recommended stop and an 87% highway share, you can easily cover this distance in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major town could be up to 76.3 miles on MO 13. The estimated fuel cost is around $35, so plan accordingly. Since this is a relatively short drive, you have flexibility to adjust your departure time or stop length as needed.
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 115.7 miles from Marshfield, MO, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.3 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 51 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.7 miles or 2h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 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 Marshfield, 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 Marshfield, MO
This is one driving day of about 231.5 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Marshfield, 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 MO 13 for about 76.3 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 139.3 and 198.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
139.3 mi into trip|~2h 50m in|MO 7
Take the exit onto MO 7 toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: 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 right lanes.
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kan...
7
177.3 mi into trip|~3h 35m in
Take the exit toward 11th Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 11th Street, Downtown
6
181.2 mi into trip|~3h 43m in|MO 9
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 9 toward MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
7
183.6 mi into trip|~3h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport, Saint Joseph
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.
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport,...
6
198.3 mi into trip|~4h 3m 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
$34.19 one way
$68.37 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$37.74
$75.48
premium
$4.72
$42.98
$85.96
diesel
$4.80
$43.71
$87.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.5
0
$24.31
$11.11
Efficient EV
57.9
0
$20.26
$9.26
EV Truck/SUV
92.6
1
$32.41
$14.82
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Marshfield, MO
Late night
in Marshfield on Sunday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Late night
in Saint Joseph on Sunday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 7 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
90°F
Oak Grove, MO
116 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
3 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
4h 41m 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.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 23.9
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 87% of your time on highways, with the longest continuous stretch on MO 13 covering 76.3 miles. This means you'll experience mostly high-speed cruising for the majority of the drive. The transition from MO 13 to MO 7 and then to I-29 will involve more frequent exits and potentially merging traffic as you approach larger towns and cities. Expect relatively consistent speeds for much of the 4h 41m duration.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.3 mi on MO 13.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 13 and MO 7. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 139.3 miles in near MO 7.
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 23 significant decision points across 231.5 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 139.3 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 177.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.2 miles (MO 9): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
962 ft760 ft
Total Climb
202 ft
Total Descent
151 ft
Highest Point
962 ft
~148.8 mi in
Elevation Range
202 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Marshfield, MO and Saint Joseph, MO, road signs point toward Downtown and Parkville.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 231.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.3 miles on MO 13. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 139.3 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 177.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.2 miles (MO 9): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Joseph, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
