How far is Joplin, MO from Saint Charles, MO?
The driving distance from Joplin, MO to Saint Charles, MO is about 288.3 miles (464 km), with a travel time of about 04h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 249.1 miles (400.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 47m 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 04h 23m.
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 Pulaski County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joplin and Saint Charles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joplin and Saint Charles.
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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
260.4 mi · 4 hr 43 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
871 ft · 19 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 North: Chicago
551 ft · 12 sec
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9
Continue on I 270 North: Chicago
2638 ft · 53 sec
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10
Merge slight left
12.6 mi · 16 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 70: Kansas City, Saint Louis, Saint Louis Lambert International Airport
1 mi · 1 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 70 West: Kansas City
645 ft · 11 sec
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13
Continue on I 70 West: Kansas City
1 km · 57 sec
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14
Merge slight left
2.7 mi · 3 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 Business: Fifth Street
841 ft · 18 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 Business: Fifth Street North, Bass Pro Drive, Ameristar Boulevard
71 m · 5 sec
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17
Turn slight right onto South Fifth Street
1.6 km · 2 min · South Fifth Street
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18
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
1093 ft · 44 sec · Jefferson Street
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19
Turn left onto North Second Street
949 ft · 34 sec · North Second Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Second Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joplin and Saint Charles.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
260 mi · 04h 43m
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Joplin and Mostly Sunny near Saint Charles.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joplin to Saint Charles?
The road trip is about 288.3 miles (464 km) and usually takes 04h 23m 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?
Waynesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 143.9 miles from Joplin and 144.4 miles from Saint Charles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 249.1 miles (400.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.2 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 8:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.35 one way or $76.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Joplin and Mostly Sunny near Saint Charles.
Stop Ideas Near Waynesville
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 Waynesville.
Jefferson City
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joplin and Saint Charles. Straight-line distance: 249.11 mi (400.9 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 Saint Charles
A city in St.
| Population | 71,761 |
| Coordinates | 38.7839400, -90.4812300 |
| Altitude | 147 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Second Street (-90.481269, 38.783952)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 464 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.35 | $76.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.25 | $86.51 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $47.33 | $94.66 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.94 | $107.88 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.