How far is Joplin, MO from Centralia, MO?

The driving distance from Joplin, MO to Centralia, MO is about 255.4 miles (411.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 195.5 miles (314.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 04m 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
255.42 mi
05h 02m
Flight
195.53 mi
314.67 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Joplin.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
195.53 mi
Kilometers
314.67 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
255.42 mi
Kilometers
411.06 km
Drive Time
05h 02m

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 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Centralia
Sun, Apr 12, 12:17 PM CDT
Return by in Joplin
Sun, Apr 12, 5:19 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Joplin
2026-04-12T07:15
Arrive Centralia
Sun, Apr 12, 12:17 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:02 AM to 1:02 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
6:56 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Joplin
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

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

Mid-route stop
Lebanon
MO

City in Laclede County, Missouri, United States

From Joplin
127.7 mi
02h 31m
To Centralia
127.8 mi
02h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 20 mph S
Destination
72°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 21 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    67 m · 18 sec

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right

    59 m · 19 sec

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East 7th Street

    6.8 mi · 14 min · East 7th Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Cimarron Road

    1.4 km · 1 min · Cimarron Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 44 East, I 49 North, US 71 North: Springfield, Kansas City

    1 km · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway

    113.3 mi · 2 hr 3 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville

    894 ft · 26 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue

    1.6 mi · 3 min · South Jefferson Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    23.7 mi · 29 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, Jefferson City

    1082 ft · 23 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right

    31.2 mi · 36 min

  12. 12

    Turn straight

    28 mi · 32 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 63 North: Columbia

    30.3 mi · 33 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward MO B: Hallsville, Centralia

    1316 ft · 32 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Paris Road

    9.9 mi · 14 min · Paris Road

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    7.9 mi · 12 min

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West Singleton Street

    2822 ft · 1 min · West Singleton Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto South Rollins Street

    120 m · 17 sec · South Rollins Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Rollins Street

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
1 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
113 mi · 44%
US 63 North
30.3 mi · 12%
South Jefferson Avenue
25.3 mi · 10%
Paris Road
17.8 mi · 7%
East 7th Street
6.76 mi · 3%
Cimarron Road
0.88 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

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 02m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+59.9 mi
195.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lebanon
02h 31m from Joplin
Leave By
6:56 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Joplin and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Centralia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 255.4 miles (411.1 km) and usually takes 05h 02m 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?

Lebanon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127.7 miles from Joplin and 127.8 miles from Centralia.

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

The direct path is about 195.5 miles (314.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.9 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 6:56 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.98 one way or $67.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Joplin and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Centralia.

Stop Ideas Near Lebanon

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lebanon, 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 Lebanon.

RAIL

Jefferson City

109 mi away
101 Jefferson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Joplin and Centralia. Straight-line distance: 195.53 mi (314.67 km).

Joplin

#1 Joplin

The most populous city in Jasper County, Missouri.

Population50,956
Coordinates37.0842300, -94.5132800
Altitude306
CountryUnited States
Centralia

#2 Centralia

City in Missouri

Population4,344
Coordinates39.2103200, -92.1379500
Altitude269
CountryUnited States
Start: Joplin (-94.51328, 37.08423)
End: Centralia (-92.13795, 39.21032)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 411 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.01 gal
34.12 L · about $33.98
Round trip
$67.95
18.02 gal · 68.24 L
Estimated CO2
80.1 kg one way
Round trip: 160.1 kg / 353 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $33.98 $67.95
Mid-grade $4.25 $38.32 $76.64
Premium $4.65 $41.93 $83.87
Diesel $5.30 $47.79 $95.58

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Joplin and Centralia. The current time is 07:15:06.

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.