How far is Joplin, MO from Kirksville, MO?
The driving distance from Joplin, MO to Kirksville, MO is about 326.2 miles (524.9 km), with a travel time of about 06h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 238.8 miles (384.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 18m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Miller County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joplin and Kirksville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joplin and Kirksville.
-
1
Start on the route
67 m · 18 sec
-
2
At the end of the road, turn right
59 m · 19 sec
-
3
Turn left onto East 7th Street
6.8 mi · 14 min · East 7th Street
-
4
Continue on Cimarron Road
1.4 km · 1 min · Cimarron Road
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 44 East, I 49 North, US 71 North: Springfield, Kansas City
1 km · 1 min
-
6
Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
113.3 mi · 2 hr 3 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
894 ft · 26 sec
-
8
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Jefferson Avenue
-
9
Continue straight
23.7 mi · 29 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, Jefferson City
1082 ft · 23 sec
-
11
Turn right
31.2 mi · 36 min
-
12
Turn straight
28 mi · 32 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 63 North: Columbia
115.4 mi · 2 hr 9 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward US 63 Business: Kirksville
1 km · 1 min
-
15
Continue on South Baltimore Street
1.6 mi · 2 min · South Baltimore Street
-
16
Turn slight left onto Kirksville, Truman State University
76 m · 11 sec
-
17
Continue on South Franklin Street
2 mi · 5 min · South Franklin Street
-
18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Franklin Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joplin and Kirksville.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US 63 North
Take the exit slight right toward US 63 North: Columbia
115 mi · 02h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Joplin and Showers And Thunderstorms near Kirksville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joplin to Kirksville?
The road trip is about 326.2 miles (524.9 km) and usually takes 06h 18m 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?
Lake Ozark is a useful midpoint, sitting about 163 miles from Joplin and 163 miles from Kirksville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 238.8 miles (384.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 87.4 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 $43.40 one way or $86.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Joplin and Showers And Thunderstorms near Kirksville.
Stop Ideas Near Lake Ozark
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 Lake Ozark.
Jefferson City
Sedalia
Warrensburg
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joplin and Kirksville. Straight-line distance: 238.81 mi (384.33 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 Kirksville
City in Adair County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 17,653 |
| Coordinates | 40.1947500, -92.5832500 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kirksville (-92.58325, 40.19475)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 525 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $43.40 | $86.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.95 | $97.90 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $53.57 | $107.14 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $61.05 | $122.10 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.