How far is Kansas City, MO from Joplin, MO?
The driving distance from Kansas City, MO to Joplin, MO is about 157.5 miles (253.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 139.3 miles (224.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 27m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kansas City and Joplin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and Joplin.
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1
Start on Oak Street
6 m · 5 sec · Oak Street
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2
Turn right onto East 12th Street
1308 ft · 42 sec · East 12th Street
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3
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
1497 ft · 41 sec · Charlotte Street
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4
Turn left onto East Truman Road
120 m · 12 sec · East Truman Road
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5
Turn right onto Campbell Street
21 m · 1 sec · Campbell Street
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6
Take the ramp straight toward US 71 South: Joplin
1114 ft · 27 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Bruce R. Watkins Drive
127.3 mi · 2 hr 21 min · Bruce R. Watkins Drive
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8
Continue on Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
10.2 mi · 11 min · Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
3.5 mi · 4 min · George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
706 ft · 15 sec
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11
Turn right onto Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
6.6 mi · 7 min · Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
1.1 mi · 1 min
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East MacArthur Drive
72 m · 3 sec · East MacArthur Drive
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14
Exit the roundabout onto East MacArthur Drive
1.5 km · 2 min · East MacArthur Drive
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15
Continue on West Macarthur Drive
2 mi · 3 min · West Macarthur Drive
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward North Main Street Road
78 m · 7 sec · North Main Street Road
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17
Exit the roundabout onto North Main Street Road
4 mi · 9 min · North Main Street Road
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18
Turn left
18 m · 7 sec
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19
Turn right
25 m · 6 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kansas City and Joplin.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Bruce R. Watkins Drive
Merge slight left onto Bruce R. Watkins Drive
127 mi · 02h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Kansas City and Partly Sunny near Joplin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kansas City to Joplin?
The road trip is about 157.5 miles (253.5 km) and usually takes 02h 27m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Rich Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.5 miles from Kansas City and 79 miles from Joplin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 139.3 miles (224.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:36 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.97 one way or $41.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Kansas City and Partly Sunny near Joplin.
Stop Ideas Near Rich Hill
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 Rich Hill.
Lee's Summit
Warrensburg
Independence
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kansas City and Joplin. Straight-line distance: 139.31 mi (224.19 km).
#1 Kansas City
The third most populous city in Missouri and the center of the Kansas City metropolitan area.
| Population | 495,327 |
| Coordinates | 39.0997300, -94.5785700 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Joplin
The most populous city in Jasper County, Missouri.
| Population | 50,956 |
| Coordinates | 37.0842300, -94.5132800 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Main Street (-94.513461, 37.084233)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 253 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.97 | $41.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.65 | $47.29 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.88 | $51.75 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.49 | $58.98 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.