Saint Joseph, MO to Washington, MO is 273.2 miles and takes about 5h 13m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and I 29, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, making it a straightforward drive across Missouri. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a practical option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently without needing an overnight stop. The route offers a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, so expect some variety in your driving experience. It's a solid choice for a direct transit across the state.
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
136.6 miles from Saint Joseph, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
118.5 mi
2h 11m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
I 29
28.4 mi
30m
I 435
28 mi
30m
MO 47
23.3 mi
35m
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
— 118.5 mi, about 2h 11m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 17 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,343 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,885
Quietest
2 AM
~293 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.4×
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 Washington, 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
64 mi·1 hr 12 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 193Toward MO 47: Warrenton, Hawk Point
28
Turn right onto MO 47
23 mi·35 min·MO 47
29
Turn right onto East 3rd Street
0.7 mi·2 min·East 3rd Street
30
Arrive at destination
West 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 13m estimated drive time, leaving Saint Joseph in the morning should allow you to reach Washington with ample daylight to spare. While the route is manageable in one day, the single stop suggests planning for a break roughly halfway through the 273.2-mile journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $48, and it’s always wise to top off before heading into longer stretches. The longest continuous stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is 118.5 miles, so consider refueling before embarking on that segment if you tend to stop more frequently.
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 136.6 miles from Saint Joseph, MO, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.5 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 60 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.6 miles or 2h 30m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington, 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 273.2 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 118.5 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 64.7 — 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
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.42 one way
$90.84 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$49.48
$98.95
premium
$5.18
$55.75
$111.50
diesel
$5.35
$57.54
$115.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82
1
$28.69
$13.11
Efficient EV
68.3
0
$23.91
$10.93
EV Truck/SUV
109.3
1
$38.25
$17.48
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Saint Joseph, MO
Evening
in Saint Joseph on Wednesday
Local time
5:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Patchy Fog then Sunny
NNE 3 to 9 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 7:19AM CDT until June 1 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 7:09AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Washington, MO
Evening
in Washington on Wednesday
Local time
5:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Mostly Cloudy
N 0 to 5 mph63% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 7:19AM CDT until June 1 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 7:09AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
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
4 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 13m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive involves 31% highway driving, meaning you'll transition from highways to surface roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 118.5 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway before needing to navigate other roads. Expect to see a mix of highway speeds and more local traffic as you move between these road types. The profile indicates a blend of highway and surface roads, so be prepared for varying speeds and exit densities.
31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.5 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 273.2 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 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
944 ft554 ft
Total Climb
470 ft
Total Descent
809 ft
Highest Point
944 ft
~39 mi in
Elevation Range
390 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 Washington, MO, road signs point toward Kansas City, Sports Complex and Hawk Point.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 13m. Total distance: 273.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.5 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 36 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 Washington, 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 36 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 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 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 Washington, MO before the return drive.
