How far is Joplin, MO from Manchester, MO?

The driving distance from Joplin, MO to Manchester, MO is about 269.9 miles (434.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 242.1 miles (389.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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
269.87 mi
05h 04m
Flight
242.16 mi
389.72 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
242.16 mi
Kilometers
389.72 km
Flight Time
00h 29m

Driving Distance

Road route
269.87 mi
Kilometers
434.31 km
Drive Time
05h 04m

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 05h 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Manchester
Wed, May 13, 12:30 AM CDT
Return by in Joplin
Wed, May 13, 5:34 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Joplin
2026-05-12T19:26
Arrive Manchester
Wed, May 13, 12:30 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:04 AM to 1:04 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:52 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Joplin
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Stoutland
MO

Human settlement in Missouri, United States of America

From Joplin
134.8 mi
02h 32m
To Manchester
135.1 mi
02h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 16 mph S
Destination
84°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    256.7 mi · 4 hr 38 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 141: Valley Park, Fenton

    850 ft · 31 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left

    4.5 mi · 7 min

  9. 9

    Turn sharp left onto Woods Mill Road

    850 ft · 38 sec · Woods Mill Road

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Woods Mill Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
10 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
3.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
257 mi · 95%
East 7th Street
6.76 mi · 3%
Cimarron Road
0.88 mi
I 44 East
0.62 mi
MO 141
0.16 mi
Woods Mill Road
0.16 mi
Longest Stretch

Congressman Gene Taylor Highway

Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway

257 mi · 04h 38m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 04m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.8 mi
242.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Stoutland
02h 32m from Joplin
Leave By
6:52 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Joplin and Sunny near Manchester.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 269.9 miles (434.3 km) and usually takes 05h 04m 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?

Stoutland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 134.8 miles from Joplin and 135.1 miles from Manchester.

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

The direct path is about 242.1 miles (389.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.8 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 6:52 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.90 one way or $71.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Joplin and Sunny near Manchester.

Stop Ideas Near Stoutland

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Stoutland, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Stoutland.

RAIL

Jefferson City

90 mi away
101 Jefferson Street
RAIL

Sedalia

118 mi away
100 block of Main Street, through parking lot

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Joplin and Manchester. Straight-line distance: 242.16 mi (389.72 km).

Joplin

#1 Joplin

The most populous city in Jasper County, Missouri.

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

#2 Manchester

City in Missouri

Population18,081
Coordinates38.5970000, -90.5092900
Altitude176
CountryUnited States
Start: Joplin (-94.51328, 37.08423)
End: Manchester (-90.50929, 38.597)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 434 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.52 gal
36.05 L · about $35.90
Round trip
$71.80
19.04 gal · 72.1 L
Estimated CO2
84.6 kg one way
Round trip: 169.2 kg / 373 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $35.90 $71.80
Mid-grade $4.25 $40.49 $80.98
Premium $4.65 $44.31 $88.61
Diesel $5.30 $50.49 $100.99

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Joplin and Manchester. The current time is 19:26:16.

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.