How far is Joplin, MO from Kearney, MO?
The driving distance from Joplin, MO to Kearney, MO is about 178.3 miles (287 km), with a travel time of about 03h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 158 miles (254.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 43m 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 21m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joplin and Kearney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joplin and Kearney.
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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
116.2 mi · 2 hr 5 min · Purple Heart Trail
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 435 North: Des Moines
1474 ft · 36 sec
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16
Merge slight left
17.6 mi · 20 min
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17
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi · 1 min · I435 N
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18
Continue straight
724 ft · 10 sec
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 35: Kansas City, Des Moines
599 ft · 15 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 North, MO 110 East: Des Moines
2281 ft · 56 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
6.6 mi · 7 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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23
Take the exit slight right
708 ft · 14 sec
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24
Keep slight right
47 m · 6 sec
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25
Turn right onto West 6th Street
2578 ft · 1 min · West 6th Street
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26
Turn right onto South Jefferson Street
14 m · 1 sec · South Jefferson Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Jefferson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joplin and Kearney.
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
116 mi · 02h 05m
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 Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Kearney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joplin to Kearney?
The road trip is about 178.3 miles (287 km) and usually takes 03h 21m 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 89.3 miles from Joplin and 89 miles from Kearney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 158 miles (254.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.72 one way or $47.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Joplin and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Kearney.
Stop Ideas Near Butler
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 Butler.
Lee's Summit
Warrensburg
Independence
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joplin and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 157.99 mi (254.26 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 Kearney
City in Clay County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 11,155 |
| Coordinates | 39.3677800, -94.3621700 |
| Altitude | 261 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kearney (-94.36217, 39.36778)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 287 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.72 | $47.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.75 | $53.50 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.27 | $58.55 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.36 | $66.72 |
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.