How far is Lexington, MO from Joplin, MO?
The driving distance from Lexington, MO to Joplin, MO is about 180.5 miles (290.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.1 miles (240 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 18m 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 03h 09m.
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lexington and Joplin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lexington and Joplin.
-
1
Start on South 13th Street
1.6 mi · 4 min · South 13th Street
-
2
Take the ramp right toward US 24 West: Buckner, Independence
1741 ft · 48 sec
-
3
Merge slight left
6.1 mi · 8 min
-
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward MO 131 South: Odessa
72 m · 3 sec
-
5
Exit the roundabout onto MO 131 South: Odessa
8.3 mi · 11 min
-
6
Take the ramp right toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
810 ft · 20 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
19.9 mi · 22 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
8
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
1418 ft · 40 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
6.4 mi · 8 min
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on MO 291 South: Harrisonville
3.3 mi · 6 min
-
12
Take the ramp right toward US 50 West, MO 291 South: Kansas City
2959 ft · 54 sec
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrisonville
767 ft · 19 sec
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on MO 291 South: Harrisonville
16.9 mi · 25 min
-
15
Continue on Cantrell Road
629 ft · 19 sec · Cantrell Road
-
16
Take the exit straight toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
1138 ft · 28 sec
-
17
Merge slight left
106.6 mi · 1 hr 54 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
706 ft · 15 sec
-
19
Turn right onto Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
6.6 mi · 7 min · Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
-
20
Keep slight right to continue on I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
1.1 mi · 1 min
-
21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East MacArthur Drive
72 m · 3 sec · East MacArthur Drive
-
22
Exit the roundabout onto East MacArthur Drive
1.5 km · 2 min · East MacArthur Drive
-
23
Continue on West Macarthur Drive
2 mi · 3 min · West Macarthur Drive
-
24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward North Main Street Road
78 m · 7 sec · North Main Street Road
-
25
Exit the roundabout onto North Main Street Road
4 mi · 9 min · North Main Street Road
-
26
Turn left
18 m · 7 sec
-
27
Turn right
25 m · 6 sec
-
28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lexington 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
107 mi · 01h 54m
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lexington 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 Lexington to Joplin?
The road trip is about 180.5 miles (290.5 km) and usually takes 03h 09m 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?
Butler is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.8 miles from Lexington and 86.7 miles from Joplin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 149.1 miles (240 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.4 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 10:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.02 one way or $48.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lexington and Partly Sunny 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 Lexington and Joplin. Straight-line distance: 149.15 mi (240.04 km).
#1 Lexington
City in Lafayette County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 4,543 |
| Coordinates | 39.1847300, -93.8799400 |
| Altitude | 259 |
| 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: 291 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.02 | $48.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.09 | $54.18 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.65 | $59.29 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.79 | $67.57 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.