How far is Joplin, MO from Bowling Green, MO?
The driving distance from Joplin, MO to Bowling Green, MO is about 297.1 miles (478.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 238.2 miles (383.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 45m 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 05h 52m.
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 Camden County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joplin and Bowling Green.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joplin and Bowling Green.
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1
Start on the route
67 m · 18 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn right
59 m · 19 sec
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3
Turn left onto East 7th Street
6.8 mi · 14 min · East 7th Street
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4
Continue on Cimarron Road
1.4 km · 1 min · Cimarron Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 44 East, I 49 North, US 71 North: Springfield, Kansas City
1 km · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
113.3 mi · 2 hr 3 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
894 ft · 26 sec
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8
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Jefferson Avenue
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9
Continue straight
23.7 mi · 29 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, Jefferson City
1082 ft · 23 sec
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11
Turn right
31.2 mi · 36 min
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12
Turn straight
74.3 mi · 1 hr 23 min
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Liberty Street
10.3 mi · 13 min · East Liberty Street
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Scott's Corner
68 m · 3 sec
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15
Exit the rotary
8.1 mi · 11 min
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
15 m · 1 sec
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17
Exit the roundabout
23.4 mi · 32 min
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18
Turn right
1.5 mi · 3 min
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19
Turn right
3011 ft · 56 sec
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20
Turn left onto West Main Street
2173 ft · 60 sec · West Main Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joplin and Bowling Green.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
113 mi · 02h 03m
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Joplin and Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms near Bowling Green.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joplin to Bowling Green?
The road trip is about 297.1 miles (478.2 km) and usually takes 05h 52m 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?
Linn Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 148.4 miles from Joplin and 148.6 miles from Bowling Green.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 238.2 miles (383.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 58.9 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 5:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.52 one way or $79.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Joplin and Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms near Bowling Green.
Stop Ideas Near Linn Creek
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 Linn Creek.
Jefferson City
Sedalia
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joplin and Bowling Green. Straight-line distance: 238.26 mi (383.44 km).
#1 Joplin
The most populous city in Jasper County, Missouri.
| Population | 50,956 |
| Coordinates | 37.0842300, -94.5132800 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bowling Green
City in Missouri
| Population | 4,759 |
| Coordinates | 39.3419900, -91.1951400 |
| Altitude | 272 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bowling Green (-91.19514, 39.34199)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 478 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.52 | $79.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.57 | $89.14 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.77 | $97.55 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.59 | $111.17 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.