Saint Joseph, MO to Forsyth, MO is 266 miles and takes about 5h 16m via MO 13 and MO 7, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, primarily traversing Missouri on a mix of major highways and state routes. With a recommended single day of travel, it's a straightforward drive for those looking to cover ground efficiently. The route offers a practical way to get from point A to point B without significant detours.
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
133 miles from Saint Joseph, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MO 13
68 mi
1h 19m
MO 7
55.6 mi
1h 4m
I 29
40.4 mi
44m
Bruce R. Watkins Drive
37.8 mi
45m
American Legion Memorial Highway
12.1 mi
13m
US Highway 65
12 mi
13m
Schoolcraft Freeway
10.7 mi
13m
US 160
10.3 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
MO 13
— 68 mi, about 1h 19m
Traffic on I-29
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,163 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,528
Quietest
1 AM
~216 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Forsyth, 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
12 mi·13 min·I 29; US 71
Toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas CityUse the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·29 sec
Exit 2BToward US 169 South: Kansas City Downtown
14
Merge onto US 169
5.2 mi·7 min·US 169
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto Broadway Boulevard
0.1 mi·18 sec·Broadway Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto West 6th Street
0.3 mi·26 sec·West 6th Street
Use the left lane.
17
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward I 35 North, I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East
18
Continue on I 35; I 70; US 24; US 40
0.4 mi·39 sec·George Brett Super Highway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40
0.5 mi·58 sec·George Brett Super Highway
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 71 South: Saint Louis, JoplinUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71
38 mi·45 min·Bruce R. Watkins Drive
Exit 2MUse the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Take the exit onto MO 7
0.2 mi·19 sec·MO 7
Exit 157Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
22
Turn slight left onto MO 7
55 mi·1 hr 3 min·MO 7
Exit 157Toward MO 7 South: ClintonUse the left lane.
23
Continue on MO 13
68 mi·1 hr 19 min·MO 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
25
Merge onto I 44
4.3 mi·5 min·Payne Stewart Highway
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 82AToward US 65 South: Branson
27
Merge onto US 65
11 mi·13 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on US 65
11 mi·12 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
29
Continue on US 65
12 mi·13 min·US Highway 65
30
Continue on US 65
1.2 mi·1 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward US 160: Reed Springs Junction, Forsyth
32
Turn left onto US 160
4.3 mi·6 min·US 160
33
Turn slight left onto US 160; MO 176
6.0 mi·9 min·US 160; MO 176
34
Turn slight right onto Rockhill Drive
0.1 mi·24 sec·Rockhill Drive
35
Arrive at destination
Rockhill Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 16m estimated drive time, departing Saint Joseph in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive in Forsyth with plenty of daylight. The route is manageable in one day, so you can be flexible with stops. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you move from highway to state roads. A good time to refuel would be before you leave the main highway stretches, perhaps around the time you finish the 68-mile segment on MO 13.
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 133 miles from Saint Joseph, MO, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68 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 59 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133 miles or 2h 36m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Forsyth, 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 266 miles and 5h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 MO 13 for about 68 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 54.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
8
53.6 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 71 South: Saint Louis, Joplin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 71...
7
54.2 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|US 71 / Bruce R. Watkins Drive
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71 / Bruce R. Watkins Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 2M
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.23 one way
$88.45 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$48.17
$96.35
premium
$5.18
$54.28
$108.56
diesel
$5.35
$56.03
$112.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.8
0
$27.93
$12.77
Efficient EV
66.5
0
$23.28
$10.64
EV Truck/SUV
106.4
1
$37.24
$17.02
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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 May 31, 2026
Origin
Saint Joseph, MO
Evening
in Saint Joseph on Wednesday
Local time
5:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 9 mph57% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 30 at 8:34PM CDT until June 1 at 5:08PM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 30 at 8:23PM CDT until June 1 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Forsyth, MO
Evening
in Forsyth on Wednesday
Local time
5:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 3 mph35% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 30 at 8:34PM CDT until June 1 at 5:08PM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 30 at 8:23PM CDT until June 1 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
86°F
Adrian, MO
133 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
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 16m 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.
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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 229.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 78% of the route utilizing major roads. You'll encounter a long stretch of 68 miles on MO 13 before transitioning to other state highways. Expect a steady pace for the majority of the trip, with the highway sections likely featuring more frequent exits and merging traffic, while the latter part on MO 7 will feel more like rural cruising.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68 mi on MO 13.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 13 and MO 7. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 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 25 significant decision points across 266 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 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; at 35.2 miles (I 29; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,226 ft746 ft
Total Climb
741 ft
Total Descent
706 ft
Highest Point
1,226 ft
~228 mi in
Elevation Range
480 ft
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 Forsyth, MO, road signs point toward Joplin and Saint Louis.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 16m. Total distance: 266 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 16m 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 68 miles on MO 13. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 Forsyth, 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 35.2 miles (I 29; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Forsyth, MO before the return drive.
