This 276.7-mile journey from Weldon Spring, MO, to Saint Joseph, MO, is estimated to take about 5 hours and 13 minutes of driving time. Covering ground primarily on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, this route is manageable as a single-day trip, avoiding the need for an overnight stop. With an estimated fuel cost of $43, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The drive has a generally local feel, with a significant portion involving turns, so plan for a bit more engagement behind the wheel than a straight interstate cruise. You'll be staying within Missouri for this entire adventure.
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
138.4 miles from Weldon Spring, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
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
I 435
20.9 mi
22m
Avenue of the Saints
9.9 mi
11m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
7.8 mi
9m
I 229
5.7 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
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 Weldon Spring, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on Old 94 South
149 ft·8 sec·Old 94 South
2
Turn right onto Weldon Spring Road
263 ft·6 sec·Weldon Spring Road
3
Merge onto MO 94
393 ft·8 sec·MO 94
4
Keep slight right at fork onto North Outer Road
0.6 mi·55 sec·North Outer Road
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North
6
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
9.9 mi·11 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
9
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12
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.
19
Merge onto I 435; US 24
7.8 mi·9 min·Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
20
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi·1 min·I435 N
21
Continue on I 435
21 mi·22 min·I 435
22
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
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Exit 43Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
24
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi·6 min·I 229
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 6AToward Central Business District
26
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·Edmond Street
27
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi·20 sec·South 10th Street
28
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft·6 sec·Frederick Avenue
29
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft·2 sec·Walter Welsh Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 13-minute drive time, starting your trip from Weldon Spring in the morning is advisable to allow ample time for potential stops. Plan for at least one stop to break up the drive, especially considering the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as finding services might be less frequent on certain local road segments. The estimated fuel cost of $43 is a good budget baseline, but it's always wise to have a little extra. Being within Missouri means you won't need to worry about crossing state lines, simplifying navigation.
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 138.4 miles from Weldon Spring, MO, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.7 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 61 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.4 miles or 2h 39m 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 17m
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 Weldon Spring, 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 Weldon Spring, MO
This is one driving day of about 276.7 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Weldon Spring, 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 80.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 243.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|North Outer Road
Keep slight right at fork onto North Outer Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the exit toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North
8
10.8 mi into trip|~13m 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
8
212.4 mi into trip|~4h in
Take the exit toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des Moines
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 8B
Toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des Moines
6
243.5 mi into trip|~4h 35m in|I 29; US 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71 toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.86 one way
$81.72 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$45.11
$90.22
premium
$4.72
$51.37
$102.75
diesel
$4.80
$52.25
$104.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83
1
$29.05
$13.28
Efficient EV
69.2
0
$24.21
$11.07
EV Truck/SUV
110.7
1
$38.74
$17.71
Gas CO2
97 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Weldon Spring, MO
Late night
in Weldon Spring on Sunday
Local time
5:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Clear
SW 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 8:35PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Late night
in Saint Joseph on Sunday
Local time
5:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
SSW 7 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 8:35PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
92°F
Marshall, MO
138 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive with a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll encounter more frequent changes in direction than a typical interstate route. While only 20% of the journey utilizes highways, there's a substantial longest stretch of 80.7 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering some continuous driving. The character of the road will likely shift between sections of more direct highway travel and more winding local roads as you progress toward Saint Joseph. This varied terrain requires consistent attention and can make the 5-hour duration feel more dynamic.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.7 mi on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 0.2 miles in near North Outer Road.
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 14 significant decision points across 276.7 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 0.2 miles (North Outer Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.8 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 13m. Total distance: 276.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.7 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 40 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 40 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (North Outer Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.8 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 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.
