How far is Kearney, MO from Joplin, MO?
The driving distance from Kearney, MO to Joplin, MO is about 178.8 miles (287.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 158 miles (254.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 28m 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 44m.
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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kearney and Joplin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney and Joplin.
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1
Start on South Jefferson Street
14 m · 3 sec · South Jefferson Street
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2
Turn left
3068 ft · 1 min
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3
Turn left
777 ft · 19 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
12.8 mi · 14 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 435 South: Saint Louis
1.1 km · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left
9.5 mi · 11 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 49 South, US 71 South, I 470 East, US 50 East: Joplin, Lee's Summit
1.1 km · 46 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 49, I 470, US 50 East, US 71 South: Joplin, Lee's Summit
749 ft · 13 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
1594 ft · 39 sec
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11
Merge slight left
129.8 mi · 2 hr 20 min
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12
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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13
Turn right onto Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
6.6 mi · 7 min · Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
1.1 mi · 1 min
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East MacArthur Drive
72 m · 3 sec · East MacArthur Drive
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16
Exit the roundabout onto East MacArthur Drive
1.5 km · 2 min · East MacArthur Drive
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17
Continue on West Macarthur Drive
2 mi · 3 min · West Macarthur Drive
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward North Main Street Road
78 m · 7 sec · North Main Street Road
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19
Exit the roundabout onto North Main Street Road
4 mi · 9 min · North Main Street Road
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20
Turn left
18 m · 7 sec
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21
Turn right
25 m · 6 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kearney and Joplin.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 49 South
Merge slight left
130 mi · 02h 20m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Kearney and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Joplin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kearney to Joplin?
The road trip is about 178.8 miles (287.8 km) and usually takes 02h 44m 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?
Butler is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.4 miles from Kearney and 89.5 miles from Joplin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 158 miles (254.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.8 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 1:02 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.80 one way or $47.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Kearney and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Joplin.
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 Kearney and Joplin. Straight-line distance: 157.99 mi (254.26 km).
#1 Kearney
City in Clay County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 11,155 |
| Coordinates | 39.3677800, -94.3621700 |
| Altitude | 261 |
| 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: 288 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.80 | $47.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.84 | $53.67 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.37 | $58.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.47 | $66.94 |
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.