How far is Joplin, MO from Louisiana, MO?
The driving distance from Joplin, MO to Louisiana, MO is about 307.3 miles (494.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 248.9 miles (400.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 10m 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 05m.
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 Camden and Miller counties in the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joplin and Louisiana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joplin and Louisiana.
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1
Start on the route
67 m · 18 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn right
59 m · 19 sec
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3
Turn left onto East 7th Street
6.8 mi · 14 min · East 7th Street
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4
Continue on Cimarron Road
1.4 km · 1 min · Cimarron Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 44 East, I 49 North, US 71 North: Springfield, Kansas City
1 km · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
113.3 mi · 2 hr 3 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
894 ft · 26 sec
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8
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Jefferson Avenue
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9
Continue straight
23.7 mi · 29 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, Jefferson City
1082 ft · 23 sec
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11
Turn right
31.2 mi · 36 min
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12
Turn straight
74.3 mi · 1 hr 23 min
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Liberty Street
10.3 mi · 13 min · East Liberty Street
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Scott's Corner
68 m · 3 sec
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15
Exit the rotary
8.1 mi · 11 min
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
15 m · 1 sec
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17
Exit the roundabout
33.2 mi · 44 min
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18
Turn right
1.2 km · 1 min
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19
Turn straight onto Georgia Street
2 mi · 4 min · Georgia Street
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20
Turn left onto North 7th Street
90 m · 15 sec · North 7th Street
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21
Turn right onto Tennessee Street
11 m · 2 sec · Tennessee Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Tennessee Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joplin and Louisiana.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
113 mi · 02h 03m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Joplin and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Louisiana.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joplin to Louisiana?
The road trip is about 307.3 miles (494.5 km) and usually takes 06h 05m 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?
Osage Beach is a useful midpoint, sitting about 153.5 miles from Joplin and 153.7 miles from Louisiana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 248.9 miles (400.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 58.4 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 $40.88 one way or $81.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Joplin and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Louisiana.
Stop Ideas Near Osage Beach
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 Osage Beach.
Jefferson City
Sedalia
Warrensburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joplin and Louisiana. Straight-line distance: 248.88 mi (400.54 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 Louisiana
Town in Pike County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 3,219 |
| Coordinates | 39.4489400, -91.0515300 |
| Altitude | 148 |
| Country | United States |
End: Louisiana (-91.05153, 39.44894)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 495 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.88 | $81.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.10 | $92.21 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.45 | $100.90 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.50 | $114.99 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.