Wright City Rest Area (Eastbound)
0 mi from route
Trip from Saint Joseph, MO to Cool Valley, MO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 39m
Distance
296.4 mi
477 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 26m
★
6 AM
5h 39m
8 AM
6h 6m
10 AM
5h 48m
12 PM
5h 46m
3 PM
5h 50m
5 PM
6h 4m
8 PM
5h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Joseph, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Cool Valley, MO
Alina Chernii
Trip Overview
Saint Joseph, MO to Cool Valley, MO is 296.4 miles and takes about 5h 39m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The route offers a straightforward drive that's manageable in a single day, making it a practical choice for a quick getaway or efficient transit. You'll primarily be on surface roads, so expect a more grounded travel experience compared to an all-interstate trip.
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
148.2 miles from Saint Joseph, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 164.8 mi | 3h 10m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| I 29 | 28.4 mi | 30m |
| I 435 | 28 mi | 30m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| I 229 | 4.5 mi | 4m |
| Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 164.8 mi, about 3h 10m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,943 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~346 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Saint Joseph, MO and Cool Valley, 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 right at fork onto I 435
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 435
Exit 14
Toward I 435 East: Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
US 24
Exit 63
Toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
14
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
469 ft
·
11 sec
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Merge onto I 70
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
George Brett Super Highway
17
Continue on I 70
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
18
Continue on I 70
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 70
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
20
Continue on I 70
53 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
21
Continue on I 70; US 40
32 mi
·
34 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi
·
24 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
23
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
24
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
25
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
26
Continue on I 70; US 40
110 mi
·
2 hr 12 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 239
Toward North Hanley Road
Use the slight right lane.
28
Turn straight onto North Hanley Road
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
North Hanley Road
29
Turn slight right
310 ft
·
11 sec
30
Turn straight onto Evans Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Evans Avenue
31
Turn left onto Hern Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Hern Drive
32
Turn right onto Hill Avenue
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Hill Avenue
33
Arrive at destination
Hill Avenue
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under six hours, this trip is easily doable in one day, so you can leave when you're ready. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and allow for any unexpected delays. Since it's a single-day drive, you'll only need one significant stop for gas and a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially once you're off the main highways, as service areas might be less frequent on the surface road portions.
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 148.2 miles from Saint Joseph, MO, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 164.8 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 65 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.2 miles or 2h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cool Valley, 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.
+
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 Saint Joseph, MO
This is one driving day of about 296.4 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Saint Joseph, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 164.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 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 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 148.2 miles from Saint Joseph, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 164.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Concordia Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Truck Parking
0 mi from route
Dearborn Rest Area (Northbound)
0 mi from route
Dearborn Truck Parking (Southbound)
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Wright City Rest Area (Westbound)
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Truck Parking
0.1 mi from route
Concordia Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Boonville Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Boonville Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Betty's Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
Midway Auto Truck Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Mr. Fuel Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
West Land Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Gasper's
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.9 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 35.2 and 295.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
35.2 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
I 435
Keep slight right at fork onto I 435 toward I 435 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 14
Toward I 435 East: Saint Louis
7
63.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
|
US 24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24 toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 63
Toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Ka...
7
63.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
7
64.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
7
295.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 35m in
Take the exit toward North Hanley Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 239
Toward North Hanley Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.28 one way
$98.56 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
104 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $53.68 | $107.36 |
| premium | $5.18 | $60.48 | $120.96 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $62.43 | $124.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.9 | 1 | $31.12 | $14.23 |
| Efficient EV | 74.1 | 0 | $25.94 | $11.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.6 | 1 | $41.50 | $18.97 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Saint Joseph, MO
Afternoon in Saint Joseph on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
ENE 3 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:06AM CDT until June 1 at 4:45AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:04AM CDT until June 1 at 4:30AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Cool Valley, MO
Afternoon in Cool Valley on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
S 6 mph
92% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:06AM CDT until June 1 at 4:45AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:04AM CDT until June 1 at 4:30AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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
1 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
5h 39m 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.
Gateway Arch National Park
National Park
Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
$19
near mile 296.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only 21% of the drive on highways like I 29. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 164.8 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway before transitioning to surface roads. Be prepared for a more local feel, with frequent intersections and varying speed limits as you leave the highway system.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 164.8 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 35.2 miles in near I 435.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 296.4 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 35.2 miles (I 435): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.2 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,010 ft
513 ft
Total Climb
506 ft
Total Descent
810 ft
Highest Point
1,010 ft
~42.3 mi in
Elevation Range
497 ft
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.
Between Saint Joseph, MO and Cool Valley, MO, road signs point toward Kansas City and Sports Complex.
Kansas City
63.2 mi in
|
~1h 10m
|
via US 24
Sports Complex
63.2 mi in
|
~1h 10m
|
via US 24
About the Cities
Starting in Saint Joseph, MO
Full guide →Founded 1843
Top landmarks
- • Patee House
- • Missouri Theatre — theater, former movie theater and commercial building in St. Joseph, Missouri, U...
- • German-American Bank Building — historic building in St. Joseph, Missouri, USA
Arriving in Cool Valley, MO
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 296.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 164.8 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 42 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 Cool Valley, 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 42 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 35.2 miles (I 435): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.2 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cool Valley, MO before the return drive.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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