How far is Joplin, MO from Jackson, MO?

The driving distance from Joplin, MO to Jackson, MO is about 310.9 miles (500.3 km), with a travel time of about 06h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 267.4 miles (430.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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
310.85 mi
06h 36m
Flight
267.41 mi
430.35 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
267.41 mi
Kilometers
430.35 km
Flight Time
00h 32m

Driving Distance

Road route
310.85 mi
Kilometers
500.26 km
Drive Time
06h 36m

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 06h 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Jackson
Fri, Apr 24, 7:38 AM CDT
Return by in Joplin
Fri, Apr 24, 2:14 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Joplin
2026-04-24T01:01
Arrive Jackson
Fri, Apr 24, 7:38 AM CDT
Route Timing
06h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
12:37 PM to 2:07 PM CDT

Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

Leave by
10:46 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Joplin
8:00 PM CDT
Overnight-style route

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
Willow Springs
MO

City in Howell County, Missouri, United States

From Joplin
155.2 mi
03h 18m
To Jackson
155.7 mi
03h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Friday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph W
Destination
76°F
Friday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    53.2 mi · 57 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 360 East

    1463 ft · 31 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on James River Freeway

    14.4 mi · 17 min · James River Freeway

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    81.3 mi · 1 hr 35 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff

    61.7 mi · 1 hr 13 min

  11. 11

    Turn left

    3.4 mi · 5 min

  12. 12

    Turn slight right

    22.4 mi · 33 min

  13. 13

    Turn right

    45 mi · 1 hr 7 min

  14. 14

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    1240 ft · 21 sec · West Main Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Conrad Avenue

    1382 ft · 26 sec · Conrad Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right

    16.8 mi · 25 min

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    2.5 mi · 4 min

  18. 18

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    1.4 km · 3 min · West Main Street

  19. 19

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Main Street

    26 m · 2 sec · East Main Street

  20. 20

    Exit the roundabout onto East Main Street

    18 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
21 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
James River Freeway
95.8 mi · 31%
US 60 East
61.7 mi · 20%
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
53.2 mi · 17%
East 7th Street
6.76 mi · 2%
Conrad Avenue
2.81 mi · 1%
West Main Street
1.13 mi
Longest Stretch

James River Freeway

Continue straight

81.3 mi · 01h 35m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

Better with a longer stop

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

Drive Time
06h 36m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
13h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+43.5 mi
267.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Willow Springs
03h 18m from Joplin
Leave By
10:46 PM CDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Joplin and Showers And Thunderstorms near Jackson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 310.9 miles (500.3 km) and usually takes 06h 36m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Willow Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 155.2 miles from Joplin and 155.7 miles from Jackson.

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

The direct path is about 267.4 miles (430.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.5 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.37 one way or $82.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Joplin and Jackson. Straight-line distance: 267.41 mi (430.35 km).

Joplin

#1 Joplin

The most populous city in Jasper County, Missouri.

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

#2 Jackson

City in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, United States

Population14,699
Coordinates37.3822700, -89.6662100
Altitude141
CountryUnited States
Start: Joplin (-94.51328, 37.08423)
End: Jackson (-89.66621, 37.38227)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 500 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.97 gal
41.52 L · about $41.37
Round trip
$82.74
21.94 gal · 83.04 L
Estimated CO2
97.5 kg one way
Round trip: 195 kg / 430 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $41.37 $82.74
Mid-grade $4.25 $46.66 $93.31
Premium $4.65 $51.05 $102.11
Diesel $5.30 $58.18 $116.37

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 24, 2026

There is no time difference between Joplin and Jackson. The current time is 01:01:41.

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.