How far is Joplin, MO from East Independence, MO?
The driving distance from Joplin, MO to East Independence, MO is about 156.5 miles (251.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 139.2 miles (224.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 35m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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
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 East Independence.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joplin and East Independence.
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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
13.3 mi · 19 min
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23
Take the exit slight right toward East Truman Road
1459 ft · 45 sec
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24
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Truman Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · East Truman Road
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25
Turn left onto Main Road
1341 ft · 1 min · Main Road
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26
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
24 m · 3 sec · East 9th Street South
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 9th Street South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joplin and East Independence.
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 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.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Joplin and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near East Independence.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joplin to East Independence?
The road trip is about 156.5 miles (251.9 km) and usually takes 02h 35m 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?
Rich Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.4 miles from Joplin and 79.1 miles from East Independence.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 139.2 miles (224.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.3 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 1:18 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.82 one way or $41.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.1 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 East Independence.
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 East Independence. Straight-line distance: 139.24 mi (224.08 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 East Independence
A census-designated place in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 110,675 |
| Coordinates | 39.0955600, -94.3552300 |
| Altitude | 256 |
| Country | United States |
End: East 9th Street South (-94.355237, 39.09539)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 252 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.82 | $41.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.48 | $46.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.69 | $51.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.28 | $58.56 |
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.