How far is Joplin, MO from Buckner, MO?
The driving distance from Joplin, MO to Buckner, MO is about 164.7 miles (265.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142.5 miles (229.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 39m 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 03h 19m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joplin and Buckner.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joplin and Buckner.
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1
Start on the route
25 m · 12 sec
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2
Turn left
18 m · 6 sec
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3
Turn right onto South Main Street
2.3 mi · 6 min · South Main Street
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4
Turn straight onto North Main Street Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · North Main Street Road
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Demott Drive
4 m · 1 sec · Demott Drive
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Demott Drive
2 mi · 3 min · Demott Drive
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7
Continue on West MacArthur Drive
1.5 km · 2 min · West MacArthur Drive
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
71 m · 3 sec
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9
Exit the roundabout
7.8 mi · 9 min
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10
Continue on West Central Avenue
138 m · 16 sec · West Central Avenue
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11
Turn left onto I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
1109 ft · 14 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
3.2 mi · 3 min · George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
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13
Continue on Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
10.5 mi · 11 min · Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
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14
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
92.9 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Purple Heart Trail
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15
Take the exit slight right toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
817 ft · 17 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
74 m · 6 sec
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17
Merge slight left
8.3 mi · 12 min
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18
Turn slight left
8.5 mi · 12 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia
2911 ft · 53 sec
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20
Take the exit slight right toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road
1191 ft · 37 sec
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21
Turn left
91 m · 7 sec
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22
Continue straight
9.4 mi · 13 min
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23
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
2063 ft · 44 sec
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24
Merge slight left onto Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2851 ft · 37 sec · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
1704 ft · 47 sec
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26
Turn left onto South Little Blue Parkway
4.6 mi · 8 min · South Little Blue Parkway
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27
Turn right
2 mi · 3 min
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28
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
754 ft · 12 sec
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29
Exit the roundabout
2.3 mi · 3 min
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30
Take the ramp slight right toward US 24 East: Buckner
874 ft · 24 sec
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31
Merge slight left
4.9 mi · 6 min
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32
Turn right onto South Sibley Street
1865 ft · 1 min · South Sibley Street
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33
Turn right onto Washington Street
105 m · 15 sec · Washington Street
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joplin and Buckner.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Purple Heart Trail
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
92.9 mi · 01h 40m
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 Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Joplin and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Buckner.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joplin to Buckner?
The road trip is about 164.7 miles (265.1 km) and usually takes 03h 19m 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?
Rich Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.5 miles from Joplin and 82.3 miles from Buckner.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142.5 miles (229.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.2 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 10:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.91 one way or $43.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Joplin and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Buckner.
Stop Ideas Near Rich Hill
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 Rich Hill.
Lee's Summit
Warrensburg
Independence
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joplin and Buckner. Straight-line distance: 142.55 mi (229.42 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 Buckner
City in Jackson County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 3,010 |
| Coordinates | 39.1325100, -94.1985600 |
| Altitude | 229 |
| Country | United States |
End: Buckner (-94.19856, 39.13251)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 265 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.91 | $43.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.71 | $49.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.04 | $54.08 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.82 | $61.63 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.