How far is Joplin, MO from Lexington, MO?
The driving distance from Joplin, MO to Lexington, MO is about 187.3 miles (301.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.1 miles (240 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 28m 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 44m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joplin and Lexington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joplin and Lexington.
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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
9.4 mi · 13 min
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
2063 ft · 44 sec
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24
Merge slight left onto Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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25
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
19.7 mi · 22 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward MO 131: Odessa
974 ft · 44 sec
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27
Turn straight onto West Old U.S. 40
1061 ft · 25 sec · West Old U.S. 40
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28
Turn left
8.4 mi · 11 min
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29
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward US 24 East: Lexington
4 m · 1 sec
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30
Exit the roundabout onto US 24 East: Lexington
6.5 mi · 8 min
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31
Take the exit slight right toward MO 13 Business: Lexington
1053 ft · 34 sec
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32
Turn right onto 13th Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · 13th Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 13th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joplin and Lexington.
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 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.
Partly Sunny leaving Joplin and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lexington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joplin to Lexington?
The road trip is about 187.3 miles (301.4 km) and usually takes 03h 44m 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 93.7 miles from Joplin and 93.6 miles from Lexington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 149.1 miles (240 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.2 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 9:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.93 one way or $49.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Joplin and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lexington.
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 Lexington. Straight-line distance: 149.15 mi (240.04 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 Lexington
City in Lafayette County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 4,543 |
| Coordinates | 39.1847300, -93.8799400 |
| Altitude | 259 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lexington (-93.87994, 39.18473)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 301 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.93 | $49.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.11 | $56.22 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.76 | $61.53 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.06 | $70.12 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.