Wellston, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is 299.7 miles and takes about 5h 43m via I-70 and I-29, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, entirely within Missouri, making it a straightforward drive. Given its mostly highway profile and single recommended day, it's a practical option for moving between these two points efficiently. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so expect a consistent driving experience without significant detours.
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
149.9 miles from Wellston, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
221.6 mi
4h 12m
I 29
26 mi
27m
I 435
20.9 mi
22m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
7.8 mi
9m
I 229
5.7 mi
6m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.6 mi
6m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Saint Charles Rock Road
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 221.6 mi, about 4h 12m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 76 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,489 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,086
Quietest
2 AM
~315 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Wellston, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on MO D
0.9 mi·1 min·Page Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.9 mi·1 min·Pennsylvania Avenue
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto MO 180
0.1 mi·11 sec·Saint Charles Rock Road
4
Keep slight right at fork onto MO 180
1.7 mi·2 min·Saint Charles Rock Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 170 North
6
Merge onto I 170
1.4 mi·1 min·Inner Belt Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 7BToward I 70 West: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 8BToward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 435; US 24
7.8 mi·9 min·Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi·1 min·I435 N
16
Continue on I 435
21 mi·22 min·I 435
17
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
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Exit 43Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
19
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi·6 min·I 229
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 6AToward Central Business District
21
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·Edmond Street
22
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi·20 sec·South 10th Street
23
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft·6 sec·Frederick Avenue
24
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft·2 sec·Walter Welsh Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour 43 minute drive time, starting in the morning is recommended to allow ample daylight for arrival. With only one stop suggested, plan your refueling and rest breaks accordingly, especially since the longest stretch is over 200 miles. The $46 fuel cost is an estimate, so monitor your gauge. Consider making your single stop around the halfway point to break up the drive, perhaps before the longest segment on I-70, to ensure you remain alert and comfortable.
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 149.9 miles from Wellston, MO, or about 2h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 221.6 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 66 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.9 miles or 2h 53m 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 44m
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 Wellston, 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 Wellston, MO
This is one driving day of about 299.7 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Wellston, 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 I 70 for about 221.6 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 266.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.9 mi into trip|~1m in|Pennsylvania Avenue
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
3.8 mi into trip|~7m in|I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway
Merge onto I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
5.2 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 7B
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
8
235.4 mi into trip|~4h 31m 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
266.5 mi into trip|~5h 6m 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
$49.99 one way
$99.99 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$54.34
$108.67
premium
$5.26
$62.05
$124.10
diesel
$6.18
$72.91
$145.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.9
1
$31.47
$14.39
Efficient EV
74.9
0
$26.22
$11.99
EV Truck/SUV
119.9
1
$41.96
$19.18
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Wellston, MO
Late night
in Wellston on Sunday
Local time
5:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
N 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:40AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Late night
in Saint Joseph on Sunday
Local time
5:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
33°F
Areas Of Frost
WSW 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:40AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
56°F
Columbia, MO
150 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
8 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 43m 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?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 92% of the drive on interstates. You'll encounter a 221.6-mile stretch on I-70 before transitioning to other major roads. Expect a consistent driving experience with limited time on surface streets. The high highway share means you'll likely see frequent exit signs and interchanges as you travel.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 221.6 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and I 29. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near Pennsylvania Avenue.
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 15 significant decision points across 299.7 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 0.9 miles (Pennsylvania Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.8 miles (I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 43m. Total distance: 299.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 221.6 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 42 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 42 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (Pennsylvania Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.8 miles (I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 11.5 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.
