Ozark, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is 237.2 miles and takes about 4h 42m via North Kansas Expressway and I-29, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward trip primarily on highways, making it a convenient option for a single day of travel. You'll likely find it a no-fuss route that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.
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
118.6 miles from Ozark, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Kansas Expressway
87.2 mi
1h 42m
MO 7
73.9 mi
1h 24m
I 29
40.2 mi
44m
Schoolcraft Freeway
10.7 mi
13m
I 229
5.7 mi
6m
American Legion Memorial Highway
4.5 mi
5m
Payne Stewart Highway
4.1 mi
5m
MO 9
3.9 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
North Kansas Expressway
— 87.2 mi, about 1h 42m
Traffic on I-29
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 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 Ozark, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on West Church Street
97 ft·6 sec·West Church Street
2
Turn right onto US 65 Bus; MO 14
1.4 mi·2 min·North 3rd Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 65 North: SpringfieldUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto US 65
4.5 mi·5 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
5
Continue on US 65
11 mi·13 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 44 West: Joplin
7
Merge onto I 44
4.1 mi·5 min·Payne Stewart Highway
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13: Bolivar
9
Keep slight left at fork
150 ft·3 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13: Bolivar
10
Keep slight right at fork
209 ft·7 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
11
Merge onto MO 13
87 mi·1 hr 42 min·North Kansas Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Continue on MO 7
36 mi·39 min·MO 7
13
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.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward 11th Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
425 ft·16 sec·East 11th Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Charlotte Street
17
Turn left onto East 9th Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·East 9th Street
18
Turn right onto Locust Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·Locust Street
19
Continue on MO 9
3.0 mi·5 min·MO 9
20
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 9
0.9 mi·1 min·MO 9
Toward MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward US 169 North: Smithville
22
Continue on US 169
1.2 mi·1 min·US 169
23
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.
24
Merge onto I 29; US 71
12 mi·13 min·I 29; US 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
2.7 mi·2 min·I 29; I 435; US 71
26
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
27
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Exit 43Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
28
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi·6 min·I 229
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 6AToward Central Business District
30
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·Edmond Street
31
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi·20 sec·South 10th Street
32
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft·6 sec·Frederick Avenue
33
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft·2 sec·Walter Welsh Avenue
34
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 42m estimated drive time, leaving Ozark in the morning should allow you to reach Saint Joseph with plenty of daylight to spare. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your departure time. Plan for one fuel stop, as the estimated cost is $36, and the longest stretch is over 80 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning between North Kansas Expressway and I-29, to ensure you don't get caught low on gas in a less populated area.
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 118.6 miles from Ozark, MO, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.2 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 52 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.6 miles or 2h 22m 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 Ozark, 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 Ozark, MO
This is one driving day of about 237.2 miles and 4h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Ozark, 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 North Kansas Expressway for about 87.2 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 21.9 and 189.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
21.9 mi into trip|~28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MO 13: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
7
21.9 mi into trip|~28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
7
145.1 mi into trip|~2h 51m 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
183 mi into trip|~3h 36m 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
7
189.3 mi into trip|~3h 47m 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,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.03 one way
$70.06 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$38.67
$77.34
premium
$4.72
$44.04
$88.08
diesel
$4.80
$44.79
$89.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.2
0
$24.91
$11.39
Efficient EV
59.3
0
$20.76
$9.49
EV Truck/SUV
94.9
1
$33.21
$15.18
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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
Ozark, MO
Late night
in Ozark on Monday
Local time
12:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 8 to 12 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Late night
in Saint Joseph on Monday
Local time
12:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 7 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
48°F
Lee's Summit, MO
119 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 42m 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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 8.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 94% highway, so expect a lot of consistent driving. The longest stretch without a major road change is 87.2 miles on North Kansas Expressway. You'll notice the density of exits and merges increase as you approach urban areas. The transition from surface roads to the highway system is minimal on this particular drive.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.2 mi on North Kansas Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Kansas Expressway and MO 7. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.9 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 25 significant decision points across 237.2 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 21.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 21.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 145.1 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,327 ft745 ft
Total Climb
792 ft
Total Descent
1,064 ft
Highest Point
1,327 ft
~16.9 mi in
Elevation Range
582 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ozark, MO and Saint Joseph, MO, road signs point toward Downtown and Parkville.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 42m. Total distance: 237.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.2 miles on North Kansas Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 21.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 21.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 145.1 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
