Trip from Saint Joseph, MO to Scott City, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 44m

Distance

412.2 mi

663 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$64

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min

4 AM

7h 35m ★

6 AM

7h 45m

8 AM

8h 3m

10 AM

7h 51m

12 PM

7h 49m

3 PM

7h 52m

5 PM

8h 2m

8 PM

7h 39m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in and county seat of Buchanan County, Missouri, United States

Saint Joseph, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Scott City, MO

Alexander Nadrilyanski

Trip Overview

The drive from Saint Joseph, MO to Scott City, MO covers 412.2 miles and takes about 7h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 135.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $64.44 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

206.1 miles from Saint Joseph, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway	135.3 mi	2h 34m
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway	103.3 mi	1h 50m
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	25.1 mi	30m
I 270	11.5 mi	14m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway	5.6 mi	6m

Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 135.3 mi, about 2h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Joseph, MO and Scott City, MO.

Start on Walter Welsh Avenue

417 ft · 8 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue

Turn right onto North 12th Street

297 ft · 10 sec · North 12th Street

Turn right onto Francis Street

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Francis Street

Turn left onto I 29 Business

1.2 mi · 2 min · North 9th Street

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Merge onto US 36

0.2 mi · 19 sec · US 36

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward I 229 South, US 59 South: Kansas City

Merge onto I 229; US 59

4.5 mi · 4 min · I 229; US 59

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 29 sec

Toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City

Merge onto I 29; US 71

26 mi · 27 min · I 29; US 71

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.

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.

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

Keep slight left at fork

1.2 mi · 1 min

Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

469 ft · 11 sec

Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Merge onto I 70

0.4 mi · 29 sec · George Brett Super Highway

Continue on I 70

2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Continue on I 70

1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 70

2.6 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Continue on I 70

53 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

22 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.6 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Take the exit onto US 40

0.3 mi · 33 sec · US 40

Exit 210A Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61

25 mi · 30 min · Avenue of the Saints

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 25 Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 31 sec

Toward I 270 South: Memphis Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 270

11 mi · 14 min · I 270

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 27 sec

Exit 1A Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 43 sec

Toward I 55 South: Memphis

Merge onto I 55

1.5 mi · 1 min · Rosa Parks Highway

Continue on I 55

1.8 mi · 2 min · Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway

Continue on I 55

103 mi · 1 hr 50 min · Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 61 Business

0.2 mi · 32 sec · US 61 Business

Exit 89 Toward MO K, MO M: Scott City, Chaffee

Turn left onto US 61 Business; MO M

1.2 mi · 2 min · Main Street

Arrive at destination

MO K

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 206.1 miles from Saint Joseph, MO, or about 3h 48m 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 91 miles or 1h 41m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 206.1 miles or 3h 48m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scott City, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Saint Joseph, MO

This is one driving day of about 412.2 miles and 7h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Saint Joseph, MO.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks 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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

O'Fallon, MO

206 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

Warrensburg, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 91 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Liberty, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 206.1 miles from Saint Joseph, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

El Canelo Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Elwood, Kansas

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19133655550

Visit website

Le Peep

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Joseph, Missouri

2.7 mi

Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Joseph, Missouri

2.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Cafe Amalia

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kirkwood, Missouri

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 294.4

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+13146982200

Visit website

El Canelo Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Elwood, Kansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19133655550

Visit website

Le Peep

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

St Joseph, Missouri

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+18166719793

Visit website

Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

St Joseph, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18162593284

Visit website

Wolcano Teppanyaki

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 58.9

North Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18168281200

Visit website

Vietnam Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 58.9

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+18164724888

Visit website

Cafe Genevieve

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 353.3

Ste. Genevieve, Missouri

Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm

+15738833562

Chef Tito´s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 58.9

North Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 4–9 pm

+18168414700

Visit website

Chappell's Restaurant & Sports Museum

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 58.9

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18164210002

Visit website

Cafe Amalia

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 294.4

Kirkwood, Missouri

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+13146982200

Visit website

Core Coffee & Eatery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 58.9

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18162875027

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 265

Wentzville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 206.1

Kingdom City, Missouri

+15733106020

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 176.6

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

1.3 mi from route

Glore Psychiatric Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

St Joseph, Missouri

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18162328471

Visit website

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 35.2 and 303.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

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...

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

291.2 mi into trip | ~5h 29m in

Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis

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 25 Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis

303.3 mi into trip | ~5h 45m in

Take the exit toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 1A Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$64.44 one way

$128.89 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 144 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$70.76	$141.51
premium	$4.89	$79.32	$158.65
diesel	$5.61	$91.01	$182.02

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$64

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$89–$114

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 144.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	123.7	1	$43.28	$19.79
Efficient EV	103.1	1	$36.07	$16.49
EV Truck/SUV	164.9	2	$57.71	$26.38

Gas CO2

144 kg

EV CO2

48 kg (67% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Saint Joseph, MO

Afternoon in Saint Joseph on Sunday

Local time

12:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Scott City, MO

Afternoon in Scott City on Sunday

Local time

12:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°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

3 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

7h 44m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

412.2 mi in 7h 44m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

39 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 Effort 10/10

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 412.2 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.

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 Scott City, MO, road signs point toward Kansas City, Sports Complex and Memphis.

Kansas City

63.2 mi in | ~1h 10m | via US 24

Sports Complex

63.2 mi in | ~1h 10m | via US 24

Memphis

291.2 mi in | ~5h 29m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 44m. Total distance: 412.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 44m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

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 48 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 Scott City, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 48 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Scott City, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Scott City, MO to Saint Joseph, MO

Plan the drive back the other way.

412.4 mi 7h 46m

Explore more options from Saint Joseph, MO or browse trips ending in Scott City, MO.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.