Purdy, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is 239.2 miles and takes about 4h 46m via Purple Heart Trail and I 29, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region from start to finish. With a low highway share, expect a more local driving experience. This route is best suited for a single day of travel, making it a straightforward option for getting between these two points.
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
119.6 miles from Purdy, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,269 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,738
Quietest
2 AM
~208 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Purdy, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on Washington Avenue
0.1 mi·32 sec·Washington Avenue
2
Turn right onto North City Highway 37
0.5 mi·1 min·North City Highway 37
3
Keep slight right at fork onto North City Highway 37
0.5 mi·1 min·North City Highway 37
4
At end of road, turn right onto MO 37
5.8 mi·8 min·MO 37
5
Turn left onto US 60
4.4 mi·5 min·US 60
6
Turn right onto MO 97
1.7 mi·2 min·MO 97
7
Turn straight onto MO 97
0.5 mi·53 sec·Ford Street
8
Turn left onto MO 37
12 mi·21 min·West Commercial Street
9
Turn left onto I 44 Business; MO 37
0.3 mi·26 sec·High Street
10
Continue on I 44 Business; MO 37
2.0 mi·3 min·Blackberry Road
11
Turn right onto I 44 Business; MO 37
0.5 mi·1 min·I 44 Business; MO 37
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 44 West: Joplin
13
Merge onto I 44
7.5 mi·8 min·Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Exit 18BToward I 49 North, US 71 North: Carthage, Kansas City
15
Merge onto I 49; US 71
10 mi·11 min·George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
16
Continue on I 49; US 71
10 mi·11 min·Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
17
Continue on I 49; US 71
128 mi·2 hr 21 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward 11th Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
425 ft·16 sec·East 11th Street
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Charlotte Street
21
Turn left onto East 9th Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·East 9th Street
22
Turn right onto Locust Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·Locust Street
23
Continue on MO 9
3.0 mi·5 min·MO 9
24
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 9
0.9 mi·1 min·MO 9
Toward MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward US 169 North: Smithville
26
Continue on US 169
1.2 mi·1 min·US 169
27
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.
28
Merge onto I 29; US 71
12 mi·13 min·I 29; US 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
2.7 mi·2 min·I 29; I 435; US 71
30
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
31
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Exit 43Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
32
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi·6 min·I 229
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 6AToward Central Business District
34
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·Edmond Street
35
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi·20 sec·South 10th Street
36
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft·6 sec·Frederick Avenue
37
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft·2 sec·Walter Welsh Avenue
38
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 46m estimated drive time, leaving Purdy, MO in the morning will allow ample time to reach Saint Joseph, MO before evening. With only one recommended stop and a mostly surface road profile, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 127.6-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, as services might be less frequent than on major interstates. The $37 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you depart.
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 119.6 miles from Purdy, MO, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.6 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 53 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.6 miles or 2h 28m 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 57m
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 Purdy, 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 Purdy, MO
This is one driving day of about 239.2 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Purdy, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 127.6 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 36.2 and 206 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
36.2 mi into trip|~56m in
Take the exit toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Carthage, Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 18B
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Carthage, Kansa...
7
185 mi into trip|~3h 40m 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
188.9 mi into trip|~3h 48m 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
191.3 mi into trip|~3h 51m 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
206 mi into trip|~4h 8m 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
$39.90 one way
$79.80 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$43.37
$86.73
premium
$5.26
$49.53
$99.05
diesel
$6.18
$58.19
$116.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.8
0
$25.12
$11.48
Efficient EV
59.8
0
$20.93
$9.57
EV Truck/SUV
95.7
1
$33.49
$15.31
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Purdy, MO
Morning
in Purdy on Monday
Local time
7:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Sunny
S 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Morning
in Saint Joseph on Monday
Local time
7:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
S 6 to 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
57°F
Nevada, MO
120 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
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 46m 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.
George Washington Carver National Monument
National Monument
The young child known as the "Plant Doctor" tended his secret garden while observing the day-to-day operations of a 19th century farm. Nature and nurture ultimately influenced George on his quest for...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features 27% highway driving, with the majority of your time spent on surface roads. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 127.6 miles on the Purple Heart Trail before transitioning to I 29. Expect a more rural feel for much of the route, with fewer exits and a more relaxed pace compared to a full interstate experience. The drive concludes by merging onto West Commercial Street in Saint Joseph.
Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.6 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 36.2 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 27 significant decision points across 239.2 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 36.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 188.9 miles (MO 9): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,484 ft743 ft
Total Climb
494 ft
Total Descent
1,084 ft
Highest Point
1,484 ft
Elevation Range
741 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Purdy, MO and Saint Joseph, MO, road signs point toward Kansas City, Downtown and Parkville.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 46m. Total distance: 239.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 127.6 miles on Purple Heart Trail. 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 36.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 188.9 miles (MO 9): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — George Washington Carver National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Joseph, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
