Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h
Distance
53.7 mi
86 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Joseph, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Claycomo, MO
Lena Khrupina
If you are planning to travel from Saint Joseph to Claycomo, you are looking at a straightforward 53.7-mile journey across Missouri. Expect to spend about one hour behind the wheel, making this a perfect day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-29, I-435, and I-229 to navigate between these two Midwest locations. With fuel costs estimated at around $8, this is an incredibly budget-friendly drive. It is a practical, efficient route that serves as a seamless connection between these points, allowing you to reach your destination quickly without the need for complex planning or multiple stops.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 29 | 28.4 mi | 30m |
| I 435 | 17.7 mi | 19m |
| I 229 | 4.5 mi | 4m |
| North 9th Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Francis Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| US 36 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Walter Welsh Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North 12th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Joseph, MO and Claycomo, MO.
Start on Walter Welsh Avenue
Turn right onto North 12th Street
Turn right onto Francis Street
Turn left onto I 29 Business
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 36
Take the exit
Merge onto I 229; US 59
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 29; US 71
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
Keep slight right at fork onto I 435
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto US 69
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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.
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 26.8 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 53 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Francis Street
Navigation decision point
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
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
Keep slight right at fork onto I 435 toward I 435 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 35 South, US 69: Kansas City, Claycomo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$8.40 one way
$16.79 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.22 | $18.44 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.33 | $20.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.86 | $23.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.1 | 0 | $5.64 | $2.58 |
| Efficient EV | 13.4 | 0 | $4.70 | $2.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.52 | $3.44 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Saint Joseph on Saturday
Local time
11:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Night in Claycomo on Saturday
Local time
11:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of your time spent on major interstates. You should be prepared for a consistent, high-speed pace as you move through the region. The drive features a significant 28.4-mile stretch on I-29, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the trip. Because the route relies so heavily on the interstate system, it functions as a functional, no-nonsense commute rather than a winding backroads exploration. You will find that the character of the road remains steady and predictable from start to finish, providing a reliable experience for those who prefer highway driving.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 29 and I 435. 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.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 53.7 miles you will encounter 12 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.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h. Total distance: 53.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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