How far is Joplin, MO from North Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance from Joplin, MO to North Kansas City, MO is about 159.6 miles (256.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 141.4 miles (227.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 09m 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 04m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joplin and North Kansas City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joplin and North Kansas City.
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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
128.2 mi · 2 hr 22 min · Purple Heart Trail
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 29 North, I 35 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph, Des Moines
1.6 mi · 2 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Bedford Avenue
776 ft · 17 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Bedford Avenue
1049 ft · 26 sec
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18
Turn right onto Bedford Road
1039 ft · 29 sec · Bedford Road
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19
Turn right onto Ozark Street
1176 ft · 58 sec · Ozark Street
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20
Turn left onto East 12th Avenue
616 ft · 28 sec · East 12th Avenue
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21
Enter the roundabout toward the route
72 m · 11 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joplin and North Kansas City.
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
128 mi · 02h 22m
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.
Clear leaving Joplin and Sunny near North Kansas City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joplin to North Kansas City?
The road trip is about 159.6 miles (256.8 km) and usually takes 03h 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?
Rich Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.8 miles from Joplin and 79.7 miles from North Kansas City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 141.4 miles (227.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.2 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 10:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.23 one way or $42.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Clear around Joplin and Sunny near North Kansas City.
Stop Ideas Near Rich Hill
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 Rich Hill.
Lee's Summit
Warrensburg
Independence
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joplin and North Kansas City. Straight-line distance: 141.37 mi (227.52 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 North Kansas City
City in Clay County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 4,571 |
| Coordinates | 39.1300000, -94.5621800 |
| Altitude | 226 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Kansas City (-94.56218, 39.13)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 257 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.23 | $42.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.94 | $47.89 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.20 | $52.40 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.86 | $59.72 |
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 20, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.