Spanning 296.3 miles across Missouri, this journey from Saint Joseph to Ladue is a manageable trek that typically takes about 5 hours and 40 minutes. Since this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate sprint, you should plan on setting aside one full day to complete the trip comfortably. With fuel costs estimated at around $45, it is an economical choice for a direct Midwest transit. You will navigate primarily through local streets like North 12th, Francis, and North 9th rather than relying on major highway corridors. While it is certainly feasible to finish in a single day, be prepared for a more involved driving experience than a standard highway cruise.
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
135.3 mi
2h 34m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
I 29
28.4 mi
30m
I 435
28 mi
30m
Avenue of the Saints
27.7 mi
33m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.6 mi
6m
I 229
4.5 mi
4m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 135.3 mi, about 2h 34m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 23 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,281 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,830
Quietest
1 AM
~292 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
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 Ladue, 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 14Toward I 435 East: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24
0.3 mi·23 sec·US 24
Exit 63Toward 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 LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
469 ft·11 sec
Toward I 70 East: Saint LouisUse the slight left / straight lanes.
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
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
27
Take the exit onto US 40
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 40
Exit 210AToward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
28
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
28 mi·33 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
29
Take the exit onto US 61
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 61
Exit 28AToward US 67, US 61: Lindbergh BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto US 61
0.2 mi·23 sec·US 61
Toward US 67 South, US 61 South: Lindbergh BoulevardUse the left / right lanes.
31
Turn left onto Clayton Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Clayton Road
32
Turn left onto Barnes Road
0.6 mi·2 min·Barnes Road
33
Arrive at destination
Barnes Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5 hour and 40 minute journey, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid the stress of navigating local traffic patterns during peak hours. Budget for at least one planned stop to stretch your legs, as the continuous turns on local roads can be more fatiguing than highway driving. Since you are relying on local streets, keep your GPS updated and stay alert for the frequent transitions between North 9th Street and Francis Street. Given the $45 fuel estimate, filling up before you leave Saint Joseph is a smart way to ensure you have a stress-free start. Embrace the flexibility of this route by taking advantage of the stop to grab a meal or rest, ensuring you arrive in Ladue refreshed.
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 135.3 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ladue, 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 296.3 miles and 5h 40m.
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 135.3 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 35.2 and 294 — 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
8
293.8 mi into trip|~5h 33m in|US 61
Take the exit onto US 61 toward US 67, US 61: Lindbergh Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 28A
Toward US 67, US 61: Lindbergh Boulevard
9
294 mi into trip|~5h 33m in|US 61
Keep slight right at fork onto US 61 toward US 67 South, US 61 South: Lindbergh Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward US 67 South, US 61 South: Lindbergh Boul...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.26 one way
$98.53 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$53.66
$107.32
premium
$5.18
$60.46
$120.92
diesel
$5.35
$62.41
$124.82
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
$31.11
$14.22
Efficient EV
74.1
0
$25.93
$11.85
EV Truck/SUV
118.5
1
$41.48
$18.96
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.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Saint Joseph, MO
Afternoon
in Saint Joseph on Wednesday
Local time
2:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
ENE 3 mph15% chanceLive 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
Ladue, MO
Afternoon
in Ladue on Wednesday
Local time
2:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 mph92% chanceLive 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 40m 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
~26 min detour
$19
near mile 296.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect an engaging, hands-on experience behind the wheel, as this route relies entirely on local roads rather than highway travel. Because the highway share is 0%, your attention will be consistently required to navigate the various turns along North 12th Street and the surrounding local network. This character makes the drive feel less like a monotonous commute and more like a deliberate, focused navigation through the heart of the region. Without long, uninterrupted stretches of interstate, the pace remains steady but requires frequent adjustments. You will find that the road demands a bit more patience and active steering than your typical cross-state highway trip.
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: 135.3 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
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 35.2 miles in near I 435.
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 20 significant decision points across 296.3 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
1,009 ft584 ft
Total Climb
452 ft
Total Descent
727 ft
Highest Point
1,009 ft
~42.3 mi in
Elevation Range
425 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 Ladue, MO, road signs point toward Kansas City and Sports Complex.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 40m. Total distance: 296.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 135.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 41 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 Ladue, 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 41 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 Ladue, MO before the return drive.
