How far is Joplin, MO from Sikeston, MO?

The driving distance from Joplin, MO to Sikeston, MO is about 302.9 miles (487.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 272.2 miles (438.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 59m 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
302.86 mi
05h 59m
Flight
272.2 mi
438.07 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
272.2 mi
Kilometers
438.07 km
Flight Time
00h 32m

Driving Distance

Road route
302.86 mi
Kilometers
487.41 km
Drive Time
05h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sikeston
Wed, May 13, 12:55 AM CDT
Return by in Joplin
Wed, May 13, 6:54 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Joplin
2026-05-12T18:55
Arrive Sikeston
Wed, May 13, 12:55 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
12:00 PM to 2:00 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
5:00 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
Willow Springs
MO

City in Howell County, Missouri, United States

From Joplin
151.2 mi
02h 59m
To Sikeston
151.7 mi
02h 59m

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
80°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 9 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    53.2 mi · 57 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 360 East

    1463 ft · 31 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on James River Freeway

    14.4 mi · 17 min · James River Freeway

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    81.3 mi · 1 hr 35 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff

    90.4 mi · 1 hr 47 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right

    4.8 mi · 6 min

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto North Westwood Boulevard

    823 ft · 14 sec · North Westwood Boulevard

  13. 13

    Turn slight left

    84 m · 12 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left

    756 ft · 16 sec

  15. 15

    Take the ramp right

    1102 ft · 27 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    47.7 mi · 55 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right

    1052 ft · 29 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight left

    44 m · 12 sec

  19. 19

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    3230 ft · 1 min · South Main Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto South Kings Highway

    1.6 km · 3 min · South Kings Highway

  21. 21

    Turn sharp left

    33 m · 5 sec

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
22 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
James River Freeway
95.8 mi · 32%
US 60 East
95.1 mi · 31%
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
53.2 mi · 18%
North Westwood Boulevard
48.3 mi · 16%
East 7th Street
6.76 mi · 2%
South Kings Highway
0.99 mi
Longest Stretch

US 60 East

Keep slight left to continue on US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff

90.4 mi · 01h 47m

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 59m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
12h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.7 mi
272.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Willow Springs
02h 59m from Joplin
Leave By
5:00 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Joplin and Sunny near Sikeston.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 302.9 miles (487.4 km) and usually takes 05h 59m 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?

Willow Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 151.2 miles from Joplin and 151.7 miles from Sikeston.

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

The direct path is about 272.2 miles (438.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.7 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 5:00 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.31 one way or $80.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Joplin and Sikeston. Straight-line distance: 272.2 mi (438.07 km).

Joplin

#1 Joplin

The most populous city in Jasper County, Missouri.

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

#2 Sikeston

City in Scott County, Missouri, United States

Population15,968
Coordinates36.8767200, -89.5878600
Altitude100
CountryUnited States
Start: Joplin (-94.51328, 37.08423)
End: Sikeston (-89.58786, 36.87672)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 487 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.69 gal
40.46 L · about $40.31
Round trip
$80.62
21.38 gal · 80.92 L
Estimated CO2
95 kg one way
Round trip: 190 kg / 419 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $40.31 $80.62
Mid-grade $4.25 $45.46 $90.93
Premium $4.65 $49.75 $99.50
Diesel $5.30 $56.70 $113.40

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Joplin and Sikeston. The current time is 18:55:21.

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.