How far is Castor, MO from Joplin, MO?

The driving distance from Castor, MO to Joplin, MO is about 298.8 miles (480.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 250 miles (402.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
298.77 mi
05h 05m
Flight
249.95 mi
402.25 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Castor.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
249.95 mi
Kilometers
402.25 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
298.77 mi
Kilometers
480.82 km
Drive Time
05h 05m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 05h 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Joplin
Thu, Apr 16, 11:38 PM CDT
Return by in Castor
Fri, Apr 17, 4:43 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Castor
2026-04-16T18:32
Arrive Joplin
Thu, Apr 16, 11:38 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:05 AM to 1:05 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:50 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Castor
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Willow Springs
MO

City in Howell County, Missouri, United States

From Castor
151.9 mi
02h 32m
To Joplin
147 mi
02h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Thursday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 12 mph SSW
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Castor and Joplin.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Castor and Joplin.

  1. 1

    Start on County Road 640

    1.7 mi · 7 min · County Road 640

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right

    3.6 mi · 6 min

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left

    3.1 mi · 5 min

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right

    14.7 mi · 22 min

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right

    1524 ft · 37 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    22.2 mi · 26 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    5.5 mi · 6 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 60 West, US 67 North: Springfield, Saint Louis

    4.5 mi · 6 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right

    186.3 mi · 3 hr 39 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 44 West: Joplin

    1.3 km · 2 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Captain Aaron J Eidem Memorial Highway

    52.7 mi · 56 min · Captain Aaron J Eidem Memorial Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, Joplin

    8.5 mi · 17 min

  13. 13

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    48 m · 7 sec · South Main Street

  14. 14

    Turn right

    18 m · 7 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right

    25 m · 6 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Castor and Joplin.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 60 West
191 mi · 64%
Captain Aaron J Eidem Memorial Highway
52.7 mi · 18%
County Road 640
29.8 mi · 10%
I 44 Business
8.55 mi · 3%
I 44 West
0.84 mi
South Main Street
0.03 mi
Longest Stretch

US 60 West

Take the exit slight right

186 mi · 03h 39m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 05m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+48.8 mi
250 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Willow Springs
02h 32m from Castor
Leave By
6:50 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Castor and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Joplin.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Castor to Joplin?

The road trip is about 298.8 miles (480.8 km) and usually takes 05h 05m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Willow Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 151.9 miles from Castor and 147 miles from Joplin.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 250 miles (402.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:50 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.75 one way or $79.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Castor and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Joplin.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Castor and Joplin. Straight-line distance: 249.95 mi (402.25 km).

Castor

#1 Castor

Unincorporated community in Missouri

Population4,951
Coordinates37.0675500, -89.9787100
Altitude107
CountryUnited States
Joplin

#2 Joplin

The most populous city in Jasper County, Missouri.

Population50,956
Coordinates37.0842300, -94.5132800
Altitude306
CountryUnited States
Start: County Road 640 (-89.978708, 37.069257)
End: South Main Street (-94.513461, 37.084233)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 481 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.54 gal
39.91 L · about $39.75
Round trip
$79.49
21.08 gal · 79.82 L
Estimated CO2
93.7 kg one way
Round trip: 187.3 kg / 413 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $39.75 $79.49
Mid-grade $4.25 $44.83 $89.65
Premium $4.65 $49.05 $98.11
Diesel $5.30 $55.90 $111.81

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Missouri · Apr 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Castor and Joplin. The current time is 18:32:59.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.