How far is Kirksville, MO from Joplin, MO?
The driving distance from Kirksville, MO to Joplin, MO is about 326.3 miles (525.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 238.8 miles (384.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 31m 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 15m.
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 Miller County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kirksville and Joplin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kirksville and Joplin.
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1
Start on North Franklin Street
898 ft · 42 sec · North Franklin Street
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2
Turn right onto East Illinois Street
3125 ft · 1 min · East Illinois Street
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3
Turn right onto North Baltimore Street
4 mi · 6 min · North Baltimore Street
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4
Take the ramp straight toward US 63 South: Macon
766 ft · 21 sec
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5
Merge slight left
114.8 mi · 2 hr 8 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City
6.6 mi · 8 min
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7
Continue straight
52.7 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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8
Take the exit right toward MO 5 South, MO 7 South: Lebanon
1203 ft · 29 sec
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9
Merge slight left
24 mi · 29 min
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10
Turn left onto North Jefferson Avenue
1.6 mi · 2 min · North Jefferson Avenue
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11
Take the exit right toward I 44 West: Springfield
731 ft · 18 sec
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12
Merge slight left
113 mi · 2 hr 2 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, Joplin
8.5 mi · 17 min
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14
Turn right onto South Main Street
48 m · 7 sec · South Main Street
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15
Turn right
18 m · 7 sec
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16
Turn right
25 m · 6 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kirksville and Joplin.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US 63 South
Merge slight left
115 mi · 02h 08m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Kirksville and 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 Kirksville to Joplin?
The road trip is about 326.3 miles (525.1 km) and usually takes 05h 15m 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?
Lake Ozark is a useful midpoint, sitting about 163.3 miles from Kirksville and 163 miles from Joplin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 238.8 miles (384.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 87.5 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 6:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.40 one way or $86.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Kirksville and Showers And Thunderstorms near Joplin.
Stop Ideas Near Lake Ozark
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 Lake Ozark.
Jefferson City
Sedalia
Warrensburg
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kirksville and Joplin. Straight-line distance: 238.81 mi (384.33 km).
#1 Kirksville
City in Adair County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 17,653 |
| Coordinates | 40.1947500, -92.5832500 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| 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: 525 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $43.40 | $86.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.95 | $97.90 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $53.57 | $107.14 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $61.05 | $122.10 |
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.