How far is Joplin, MO from Vandalia, MO?
The driving distance from Joplin, MO to Vandalia, MO is about 280.2 miles (450.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 225 miles (362.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 57m 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 28m.
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Isolated Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Joplin and Vandalia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joplin and Vandalia.
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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
113.3 mi · 2 hr 3 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
894 ft · 26 sec
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8
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Jefferson Avenue
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9
Continue straight
23.7 mi · 29 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, Jefferson City
1082 ft · 23 sec
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11
Turn right
31.2 mi · 36 min
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12
Turn straight
74.3 mi · 1 hr 23 min
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Liberty Street
10.3 mi · 13 min · East Liberty Street
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Scott's Corner
68 m · 3 sec
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15
Exit the rotary
8.1 mi · 11 min
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
15 m · 1 sec
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17
Exit the roundabout
8.9 mi · 13 min
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18
Turn left onto North Main Street
15 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Joplin and Vandalia.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
113 mi · 02h 03m
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Joplin and Isolated Rain Showers near Vandalia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Joplin to Vandalia?
The road trip is about 280.2 miles (450.9 km) and usually takes 05h 28m 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?
Camdenton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140 miles from Joplin and 140.1 miles from Vandalia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 225 miles (362.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.2 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 6:02 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.30 one way or $74.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Joplin and Isolated Rain Showers near Vandalia.
Stop Ideas Near Camdenton
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 Camdenton.
Jefferson City
Sedalia
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Joplin and Vandalia. Straight-line distance: 225.02 mi (362.13 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 Vandalia
City in Audrain and Ralls Counties, Missouri, USA
| Population | 3,496 |
| Coordinates | 39.3108700, -91.4884900 |
| Altitude | 232 |
| Country | United States |
End: Vandalia (-91.48849, 39.31087)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 451 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.30 | $74.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.06 | $84.12 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.03 | $92.06 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $52.46 | $104.91 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.