How far is Excelsior Springs, MO from Joplin, MO?

The driving distance from Excelsior Springs, MO to Joplin, MO is about 183.2 miles (294.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 156.6 miles (252 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 43m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
183.24 mi
02h 51m
Flight
156.58 mi
251.99 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Excelsior Springs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
156.58 mi
Kilometers
251.99 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
183.24 mi
Kilometers
294.9 km
Drive Time
02h 51m

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 02h 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Joplin
Sat, Apr 11, 3:18 AM CDT
Return by in Excelsior Springs
Sat, Apr 11, 6:10 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Excelsior Springs
2026-04-11T00:26
Arrive Joplin
Sat, Apr 11, 3:18 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:52 AM to 12:52 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:46 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Excelsior Springs
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Butler
MO

City in Missouri, United States

From Excelsior Springs
78.3 mi
01h 25m
To Joplin
104.9 mi
01h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph SE
Destination
79°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 14 mph S

Driving Route Map

A saved road route is not available yet, so the map falls back to a straight-line overview.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Excelsior Springs and Joplin.

Turn-by-turn directions are not available for this route yet, but the driving route map is still shown above.

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.6 mi
156.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Butler
01h 25m from Excelsior Springs
Leave By
12:46 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Excelsior Springs and 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 Excelsior Springs to Joplin?

The road trip is about 183.2 miles (294.9 km) and usually takes 02h 51m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Butler is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.3 miles from Excelsior Springs and 104.9 miles from Joplin.

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

The direct path is about 156.6 miles (252 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:46 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.40 one way or $48.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Excelsior Springs and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Joplin.

Stop Ideas Near Butler

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Butler, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Butler.

RAIL

Lee's Summit

73 mi away
217 SW Main St.
RAIL

Warrensburg

76 mi away
100 South Holden St.
RAIL

Independence

93 mi away
600 South Grand Ave.
RAIL

Union Station

95 mi away
30 West Pershing Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Excelsior Springs and Joplin. Straight-line distance: 156.58 mi (251.99 km).

Excelsior Springs

#1 Excelsior Springs

City in Clay County, Missouri, United States

Population11,833
Coordinates39.3391700, -94.2260600
Altitude239
CountryUnited States
Joplin

#2 Joplin

The most populous city in Jasper County, Missouri.

Population50,956
Coordinates37.0842300, -94.5132800
Altitude306
CountryUnited States
Start: South Thompson Avenue (-94.226056, 39.33917)
End: South Main Street (-94.513461, 37.084233)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 295 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 39m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 03m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 17m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.47 gal
24.48 L · about $24.40
Round trip
$48.80
12.94 gal · 48.96 L
Estimated CO2
57.5 kg one way
Round trip: 115 kg / 254 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $24.40 $48.80
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.52 $55.03
Premium $4.65 $30.11 $60.22
Diesel $5.30 $34.32 $68.63

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 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Excelsior Springs and Joplin. The current time is 00:26:34.

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.