How far is Joplin, MO from Spanish Lake, MO?
The driving distance from Joplin, MO to Spanish Lake, MO is about 297.4 miles (478.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 262 miles (421.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 14m 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 05h 37m.
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.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joplin and Spanish Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joplin and Spanish Lake.
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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
26.4 mi · 33 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Bellefontaine Road
1081 ft · 26 sec
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12
Turn left onto Bellefontaine Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Bellefontaine Road
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Bellefontaine Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joplin and Spanish Lake.
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.
Sunny leaving Joplin and Sunny near Spanish Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joplin to Spanish Lake?
The road trip is about 297.4 miles (478.6 km) and usually takes 05h 37m 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 148.5 miles from Joplin and 148.9 miles from Spanish Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 262 miles (421.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.4 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 5:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.56 one way or $79.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Joplin and Sunny near Spanish Lake.
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 Spanish Lake. Straight-line distance: 262.06 mi (421.74 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 Spanish Lake
Census designated place
| Population | 19,650 |
| Coordinates | 38.7878300, -90.2159400 |
| Altitude | 165 |
| Country | United States |
End: Spanish Lake (-90.21594, 38.78783)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 479 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.56 | $79.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.61 | $89.23 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.82 | $97.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.64 | $111.28 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.