Piedmont, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is 397 miles and takes about 7h 54m via US 60 and MO 7, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within the Midwest, traversing Missouri from southeast to northwest. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip designed for efficient travel. Given the 7-hour-plus duration, it's a long day of driving, but completing it in one go is definitely feasible with an early start. Consider this route if you prioritize covering ground quickly over extensive sightseeing.
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
198.5 miles from Piedmont, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 60
143.5 mi
2h 48m
North Kansas Expressway
87.2 mi
1h 42m
MO 7
73.9 mi
1h 24m
I 29
40.2 mi
44m
South Main Street
24.8 mi
34m
Schoolcraft Freeway
8.1 mi
10m
I 229
5.7 mi
6m
Payne Stewart Highway
4.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 60
— 143.5 mi, about 2h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Piedmont, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on MO B
66 ft·7 sec·East Fir Street
2
Turn left onto MO 34; MO 49
25 mi·34 min·South Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 60
143 mi·2 hr 48 min·US 60
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward US 65 North: Sedalia
5
Merge onto US 65
8.1 mi·10 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
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
To make the most of this 397-mile journey, aim for an early morning departure from Piedmont, MO, to maximize daylight hours and allow for a comfortable pace. With a total drive time of around 7 hours and 54 minutes, you'll have time for your planned 2 stops. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 143.5-mile stretch on US 60, as services might be more spaced out. This is a drive that can comfortably be completed in a single day, so flexibility in when you stop for breaks is an advantage.
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 198.5 miles from Piedmont, MO, or about 4h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.5 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 87 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 198.5 miles or 4h 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 42m
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 Piedmont, 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 Piedmont, MO
This is one driving day of about 397 miles and 7h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Piedmont, 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 US 60 for about 143.5 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 181.6 and 349.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
181.6 mi into trip|~3h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MO 13: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
7
181.7 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
7
304.8 mi into trip|~6h 3m 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
342.8 mi into trip|~6h 49m 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
349.1 mi into trip|~7h 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
$62.07 one way
$124.13 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg139 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$68.15
$136.29
premium
$4.89
$76.40
$152.80
diesel
$5.61
$87.65
$175.31
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: 138.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
119.1
1
$41.68
$19.06
Efficient EV
99.3
1
$34.74
$15.88
EV Truck/SUV
158.8
1
$55.58
$25.41
Gas CO2
139 kg
EV CO2
46 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Piedmont, MO
Evening
in Piedmont on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Evening
in Saint Joseph on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 14 to 21 mph70% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 17 at 2:38PM CDT until April 17 at 3:15PM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill...
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 17 at 2:38PM CDT until April 17 at 3:15PM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill...
73°F
Billings, MO
199 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
31 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 54m 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.
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 177.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend the majority of your time on US 60 and MO 7, which offer a consistent pace for covering distance. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 143.5 miles on US 60, so be prepared for extended periods of highway travel. While the road network is primarily highway, the character can shift as you move through different sections of Missouri, offering a steady journey across the state.
92% 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: 143.5 mi on US 60.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 60 and North Kansas Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 181.6 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 26 significant decision points across 397 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 181.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 181.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 304.8 miles (MO 7): 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 Piedmont, MO and Saint Joseph, MO, road signs point toward Downtown and Parkville.
Downtown
342.8 mi in|~6h 49m
Parkville
346.7 mi in|~6h 56m|via MO 9
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 54m. Total distance: 397 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 54m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 143.5 miles on US 60. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 181.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 181.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 304.8 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.8 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.
