How far is Joplin, MO from Smithville, MO?
The driving distance from Joplin, MO to Smithville, MO is about 181.3 miles (291.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.1 miles (256.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 52m 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 26m.
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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joplin and Smithville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joplin and Smithville.
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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
116.2 mi · 2 hr 5 min · Purple Heart Trail
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 435 North: Des Moines
1474 ft · 36 sec
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16
Merge slight left
17.6 mi · 20 min
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17
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi · 1 min · I435 N
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18
Continue straight
11.3 mi · 12 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward US 169 North: Smithville
3082 ft · 1 min
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20
Merge slight left
5 mi · 8 min
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21
Turn right onto West Main Street
1042 ft · 38 sec · West Main Street
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22
Turn right
21 m · 5 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joplin and Smithville.
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
116 mi · 02h 05m
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 Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Smithville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joplin to Smithville?
The road trip is about 181.3 miles (291.7 km) and usually takes 03h 26m 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?
Butler is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.7 miles from Joplin and 90.5 miles from Smithville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 159.1 miles (256.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.2 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 10:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.13 one way or $48.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Joplin and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Smithville.
Stop Ideas Near Butler
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 Butler.
Lee's Summit
Warrensburg
Independence
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joplin and Smithville. Straight-line distance: 159.15 mi (256.12 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 Smithville
City in Tennessee
| Population | 11,011 |
| Coordinates | 39.3869400, -94.5810700 |
| Altitude | 248 |
| Country | United States |
End: Smithville (-94.58107, 39.38694)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 292 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.13 | $48.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.22 | $54.44 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.79 | $59.57 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.95 | $67.89 |
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.