Origin
Saint Joseph, MO
Night in Saint Joseph on Saturday
Local time
11:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Joseph, MO to Buckner, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 31m
Distance
73.5 mi
118 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 25m
★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Joseph, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Buckner, MO
Valeria Boltneva
Trip Overview
This 73.5-mile drive from Saint Joseph, MO to Buckner, MO is a straightforward trip primarily utilizing interstate highways, taking about 1 hour and 31 minutes to complete. With a highway share of 78%, it's a focused drive that's easily manageable as a day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. The estimated fuel cost is around $11, making it an economical option. Both your origin and destination are located within the Midwest region, so you'll experience consistent regional characteristics throughout your journey. This route offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two Missouri towns.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.7 miles from Saint Joseph, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 29 | 34.1 mi | 36m |
| Alexander Doniphan Memorial Highway | 10.9 mi | 12m |
| MO 291 | 9.3 mi | 13m |
| US 24 | 8.8 mi | 11m |
| I 229 | 4.5 mi | 4m |
| East Kentucky Road | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| North 9th Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| West Kansas Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 29
— 34.1 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Joseph, MO and Buckner, MO.
1
Start on Walter Welsh Avenue
417 ft
·
8 sec
·
Walter Welsh Avenue
2
Turn right onto North 12th Street
297 ft
·
10 sec
·
North 12th Street
3
Turn right onto Francis Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Francis Street
4
Turn left onto I 29 Business
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North 9th Street
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
6
Merge onto US 36
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 36
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 229 South, US 59 South: Kansas City
8
Merge onto I 229; US 59
4.5 mi
·
4 min
·
I 229; US 59
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
10
Merge onto I 29; US 71
26 mi
·
27 min
·
I 29; US 71
11
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 29; I 435; US 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
I 29; US 71
Toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
Use the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 9A
Toward MO 152 East: Liberty
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Merge onto MO 152
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Alexander Doniphan Memorial Highway
15
Continue on MO 152
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Northeast Barry Road
16
Continue on West Kansas Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Kansas Street
Toward Liberty
17
Turn right onto MO 291
9.3 mi
·
13 min
·
MO 291
18
Take the exit
146 ft
·
6 sec
19
Turn slight left onto East Kentucky Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Kentucky Road
20
Keep slight left at fork onto East Kentucky Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Kentucky Road
21
Turn left onto US 24
8.8 mi
·
11 min
·
US 24
22
Turn right onto MO BB
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sibley Street
23
Turn right onto Washington Street
346 ft
·
15 sec
·
Washington Street
24
Arrive at destination
Washington Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 31 minutes, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can comfortably leave at any time of day without needing to break it into segments. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a break is 34.1 miles on I 29, and plan any necessary stops accordingly. The estimated fuel cost is a budget-friendly $11, so you likely won't need frequent fill-ups, but it’s always wise to start with a full tank. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of potential traffic on I 29, especially if traveling during peak commuting hours.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 36.7 miles from Saint Joseph, MO, or about 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.1 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 16 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.7 miles or 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buckner, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Saint Joseph, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Saint Joseph, MO
This is one driving day of about 73.5 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Saint Joseph, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 29 for about 34.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.7 miles from Saint Joseph, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 41 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Francis Street
Turn right onto Francis Street
Navigation decision point
6
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward I 229 South, US 59 South: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 229 South, US 59 South: Kansas City
6
6.5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
8
35.2 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
I 29; US 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71 toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
7
41 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Take the exit toward MO 152 East: Liberty
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 9A
Toward MO 152 East: Liberty
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.49 one way
$22.98 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.62 | $25.23 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.14 | $28.29 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.23 | $32.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.1 | 0 | $7.72 | $3.53 |
| Efficient EV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.43 | $2.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.4 | 0 | $10.29 | $4.70 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Buckner, MO
Night in Buckner on Saturday
Local time
11:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°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
19 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
1h 31m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 73.5-mile journey, with 78% of the route on major roadways like I 29 and MO 291. You'll experience a longest stretch of 34.1 miles on I 29, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your trip. While primarily highway, the inclusion of Alexander Doniphan Memorial Highway suggests a slight shift in scenery or road type at certain points. The overall character is one of efficient travel, minimizing time spent on slower, more winding roads.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.1 mi on I 29.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 29 and Alexander Doniphan Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Francis Street.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.5 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Francis Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Saint Joseph, MO to Buckner, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Liberty along the way.
Liberty
52.7 mi in
|
~1h
|
via West Kansas Street
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 73.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 34.1 miles on I 29. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Buckner, MO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Francis Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Buckner, MO before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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