Crossing Missouri from Scott City to Saint Joseph covers 412.4 miles, making for a substantial journey through the Midwest. You should anticipate roughly 7 hours and 46 minutes of drive time, which is manageable as a single-day push if you are prepared for a long stint behind the wheel. Budgeting approximately $63 for fuel will keep you moving along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. Because this is a cross-state transit, you will spend your entire trip within Missouri, offering a consistent regional feel. While it can be tackled in one go, evaluate your stamina before committing to the full duration in a single day.
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
206.2 miles from Scott City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
105.1 mi
1h 53m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi
1h 35m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
54.3 mi
58m
I 29
26 mi
27m
Avenue of the Saints
25.4 mi
30m
I 435
20.9 mi
22m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 105.1 mi, about 1h 53m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 27 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,893 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,398
Quietest
1 AM
~270 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.7×
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 Scott City, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on MO K
1.0 mi·2 min·Main Street
2
Take the ramp onto US 61 Business
0.4 mi·51 sec·US 61 Business
Toward I 55 North, US 61 North: Cape Girardeau
3
Merge onto I 55; US 61
3.6 mi·3 min·I 55; US 61
4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
102 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 55
5
Continue on I 55
1.3 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 196Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
388 ft·8 sec
Toward I 270 West: Kansas CityUse the slight left lane.
8
Continue on this road
0.7 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 196Toward I 270 West
9
Merge onto I 270
11 mi·14 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
12
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·9 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
13
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit onto US 40
0.6 mi·1 min·US 40
Exit 1AToward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
16
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
17
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
18
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
19
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Exit 8BToward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 435; US 24
7.8 mi·9 min·Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
27
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi·1 min·I435 N
28
Continue on I 435
21 mi·22 min·I 435
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71
26 mi·27 min·I 29; US 71
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
30
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Exit 43Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
31
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi·6 min·I 229
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 6AToward Central Business District
33
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·Edmond Street
34
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi·20 sec·South 10th Street
35
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft·6 sec·Frederick Avenue
36
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft·2 sec·Walter Welsh Avenue
37
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
To tackle this 412.4-mile route efficiently, consider departing early in the morning to avoid fatigue during the final hours of the 7-hour and 46-minute drive. You have two scheduled stops built into the itinerary, so use these to stretch your legs and refuel before you hit the next long stretch. Since your fuel costs are estimated at $63, keep an eye on your gauge during that initial 105.1-mile stretch on I-55 to ensure you are not caught off guard by consumption rates. A smart strategy is to prioritize your first stop early to break up the initial monotony of the interstate. Staying flexible with your timing will help you navigate the mixed road conditions more comfortably.
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 206.2 miles from Scott City, MO, or about 3h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.1 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 206.2 miles or 3h 57m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Joseph, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Scott City, 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 Scott City, MO
This is one driving day of about 412.4 miles and 7h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Scott City, 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 I 55 for about 105.1 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 107.8 and 146.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
107.8 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
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 196
Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chi...
8
108.1 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
8
120.4 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
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 12
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Lo...
8
120.5 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Went...
8
146.4 mi into trip|~2h 46m in|US 40
Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.90 one way
$121.80 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg144 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$67.23
$134.47
premium
$4.72
$76.57
$153.14
diesel
$4.80
$77.87
$155.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 144.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
123.7
1
$43.30
$19.80
Efficient EV
103.1
1
$36.09
$16.50
EV Truck/SUV
165
2
$57.74
$26.39
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Scott City, MO
Evening
in Scott City on Saturday
Local time
8:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SSW 1 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Evening
in Saint Joseph on Saturday
Local time
8:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
S 6 mph22% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
7h 46m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the B...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 56.9
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
$19
near mile 113.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed drive profile, blending fast-paced interstate travel with other regional road types. You will spend 42% of your journey on highways, requiring a steady focus as you navigate the transition between different road classifications. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 105.1-mile segment on I-55, which provides a significant opportunity to settle into a rhythm. Expect the personality of the road to shift as you move across the state, moving from the flow of major interstates to the varying conditions of the secondary highways. Keep your eyes on the road, as these changes in infrastructure will dictate your overall pace.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.1 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 107.8 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 19 significant decision points across 412.4 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 107.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 120.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
903 ft364 ft
Total Climb
884 ft
Total Descent
355 ft
Highest Point
903 ft
~176.7 mi in
Elevation Range
539 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Scott City, MO and Saint Joseph, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 46m. Total distance: 412.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 46m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.1 miles on I 55. 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 Saint Joseph, 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 107.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 120.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park and Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.8 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 Saint Joseph, MO before the return drive.
