How far is Joplin, MO from Higginsville, MO?

The driving distance from Joplin, MO to Higginsville, MO is about 188.6 miles (303.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 144 miles (231.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 24m 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
188.57 mi
03h 42m
Flight
144.04 mi
231.81 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
144.04 mi
Kilometers
231.81 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
188.57 mi
Kilometers
303.48 km
Drive Time
03h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Higginsville
Wed, May 13, 1:59 AM CDT
Return by in Joplin
Wed, May 13, 5:41 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Joplin
2026-05-12T22:16
Arrive Higginsville
Wed, May 13, 1:59 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:42 AM to 11:42 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:36 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

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 Joplin
94.3 mi
01h 51m
To Higginsville
94.2 mi
01h 51m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 16 mph S
Destination
84°F
Tuesday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 16 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    25 m · 12 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left

    18 m · 6 sec

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    2.3 mi · 6 min · South Main Street

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto North Main Street Road

    1.7 mi · 3 min · North Main Street Road

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Demott Drive

    4 m · 1 sec · Demott Drive

  6. 6

    Exit the roundabout onto Demott Drive

    2 mi · 3 min · Demott Drive

  7. 7

    Continue on West MacArthur Drive

    1.5 km · 2 min · West MacArthur Drive

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    71 m · 3 sec

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout

    7.8 mi · 9 min

  10. 10

    Continue on West Central Avenue

    138 m · 16 sec · West Central Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City

    1109 ft · 14 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto George Washington Carver Memorial Highway

    3.2 mi · 3 min · George Washington Carver Memorial Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway

    10.5 mi · 11 min · Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on Purple Heart Trail

    92.9 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Purple Heart Trail

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit

    817 ft · 17 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on MO 291 North: Lee's Summit

    74 m · 6 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    8.3 mi · 12 min

  18. 18

    Turn slight left

    8.5 mi · 12 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia

    2911 ft · 53 sec

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road

    1191 ft · 37 sec

  21. 21

    Turn left

    91 m · 7 sec

  22. 22

    Continue straight

    9.4 mi · 13 min

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward I 70 East: Saint Louis

    2063 ft · 44 sec

  24. 24

    Merge slight left onto Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  25. 25

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    32.3 mi · 35 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 13: Higginsville, Warrensburg

    924 ft · 32 sec

  27. 27

    Turn left

    4.7 mi · 7 min

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Fairground Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · Fairground Avenue

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Fairground Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
29 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
3 merges, 9 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Purple Heart Trail
92.9 mi · 49%
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
32.3 mi · 17%
MO 291 North
18.1 mi · 10%
Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
10.5 mi · 6%
West MacArthur Drive
8.78 mi · 5%
George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
3.2 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

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.

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
03h 42m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+44.6 mi
144 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Butler
01h 51m from Joplin
Leave By
9:36 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Joplin and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Sunny near Higginsville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 188.6 miles (303.5 km) and usually takes 03h 42m 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?

Butler is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.3 miles from Joplin and 94.2 miles from Higginsville.

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

The direct path is about 144 miles (231.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:36 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.08 one way or $50.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Joplin and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Sunny near Higginsville.

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 Joplin and Higginsville. Straight-line distance: 144.04 mi (231.81 km).

Joplin

#1 Joplin

The most populous city in Jasper County, Missouri.

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

#2 Higginsville

City in Missouri, USA

Population4,653
Coordinates39.0725100, -93.7171600
Altitude249
CountryUnited States
Start: Joplin (-94.51328, 37.08423)
End: Higginsville (-93.71716, 39.07251)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 303 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.65 gal
25.19 L · about $25.08
Round trip
$50.15
13.3 gal · 50.38 L
Estimated CO2
59.1 kg one way
Round trip: 118.2 kg / 261 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $25.08 $50.15
Mid-grade $4.25 $28.28 $56.56
Premium $4.65 $30.95 $61.90
Diesel $5.30 $35.27 $70.54

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Joplin and Higginsville. The current time is 22:16:44.

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.