How far is Clayton, MO from Joplin, MO?
The driving distance from Clayton, MO to Joplin, MO is about 284.2 miles (457.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 252.6 miles (406.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 04h 18m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Missouri parts of witch are in Camden, Laclede, and Pulaski Counties
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clayton and Joplin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clayton and Joplin.
-
1
Start on Hillvale Drive
54 m · 8 sec · Hillvale Drive
-
2
Turn left onto Wydown Boulevard
3092 ft · 2 min · Wydown Boulevard
-
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Hanley Road
2.6 mi · 5 min · South Hanley Road
-
4
Continue on Laclede Station Road
1 km · 1 min · Laclede Station Road
-
5
Turn slight right onto Big Bend Boulevard
2189 ft · 49 sec · Big Bend Boulevard
-
6
Turn left onto Murdoch Avenue
134 m · 16 sec · Murdoch Avenue
-
7
Take the ramp right toward I 44 West
930 ft · 13 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
-
9
Continue on Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway
-
10
Continue on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
261.3 mi · 4 hr 44 min · Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, Joplin
8.5 mi · 17 min
-
12
Turn right onto South Main Street
48 m · 7 sec · South Main Street
-
13
Turn right
18 m · 7 sec
-
14
Turn right
25 m · 6 sec
-
15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clayton and Joplin.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Continue on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
261 mi · 04h 44m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Clayton and Partly Sunny near Joplin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clayton to Joplin?
The road trip is about 284.2 miles (457.3 km) and usually takes 04h 18m 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?
Richland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139.6 miles from Clayton and 144.6 miles from Joplin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 252.6 miles (406.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.6 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 8:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.82 one way or $75.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Clayton and Partly Sunny near Joplin.
Stop Ideas Near Richland
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Richland.
Jefferson City
Sedalia
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clayton and Joplin. Straight-line distance: 252.59 mi (406.5 km).
#1 Clayton
Inner-ring suburb of St.
| Population | 16,775 |
| Coordinates | 38.6425500, -90.3237300 |
| Altitude | 173 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Joplin
The most populous city in Jasper County, Missouri.
| Population | 50,956 |
| Coordinates | 37.0842300, -94.5132800 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Main Street (-94.513461, 37.084233)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 457 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.82 | $75.65 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.66 | $85.32 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.68 | $93.36 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.20 | $106.40 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.