How far is Joplin, MO from Sullivan, MO?

The driving distance from Joplin, MO to Sullivan, MO is about 218.3 miles (351.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 199.1 miles (320.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 12m 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
218.37 mi
04h 06m
Flight
199.17 mi
320.53 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
199.17 mi
Kilometers
320.53 km
Flight Time
00h 24m

Driving Distance

Road route
218.37 mi
Kilometers
351.43 km
Drive Time
04h 06m

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 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sullivan
Tue, May 5, 2:17 AM CDT
Return by in Joplin
Tue, May 5, 6:23 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Joplin
2026-05-04T22:11
Arrive Sullivan
Tue, May 5, 2:17 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:06 AM to 12:06 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
8:48 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
Phillipsburg
MO

Human settlement in Laclede County, Missouri, United States of America

From Joplin
109.1 mi
02h 03m
To Sullivan
109.3 mi
02h 03m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 20 mph SW
Destination
80°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 13 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    208.8 mi · 3 hr 46 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 185 North, MO D: Sullivan

    1067 ft · 28 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right

    142 m · 14 sec

  9. 9

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West Springfield Road

    1073 ft · 29 sec · West Springfield Road

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Elmont Road

    2726 ft · 1 min · Elmont Road

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn left onto West Main Street

    115 m · 12 sec · West Main Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Hughes Ford Road

    36 m · 5 sec · Hughes Ford Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West Washington Street

    103 m · 11 sec · West Washington Street

  14. 14

    Turn right

    17 m · 4 sec

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
209 mi · 96%
East 7th Street
6.76 mi · 3%
Cimarron Road
0.88 mi
I 44 East
0.62 mi
Elmont Road
0.52 mi
West Springfield Road
0.2 mi
Longest Stretch

Congressman Gene Taylor Highway

Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway

209 mi · 03h 46m

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
04h 06m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.2 mi
199.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Phillipsburg
02h 03m from Joplin
Leave By
8:48 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Joplin and Mostly Sunny near Sullivan.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 218.3 miles (351.4 km) and usually takes 04h 06m 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?

Phillipsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.1 miles from Joplin and 109.3 miles from Sullivan.

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

The direct path is about 199.1 miles (320.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.2 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 8:48 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.07 one way or $58.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Joplin and Mostly Sunny near Sullivan.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Joplin and Sullivan. Straight-line distance: 199.17 mi (320.53 km).

Joplin

#1 Joplin

The most populous city in Jasper County, Missouri.

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

#2 Sullivan

City in Missouri

Population7,117
Coordinates38.2081000, -91.1604200
Altitude299
CountryUnited States
Start: Joplin (-94.51328, 37.08423)
End: Sullivan (-91.16042, 38.2081)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 351 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.71 gal
29.17 L · about $29.07
Round trip
$58.15
15.42 gal · 58.34 L
Estimated CO2
68.5 kg one way
Round trip: 137 kg / 302 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $29.07 $58.15
Mid-grade $4.25 $32.79 $65.58
Premium $4.65 $35.88 $71.76
Diesel $5.30 $40.89 $81.79

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 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Joplin and Sullivan. The current time is 22:11:27.

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.