How far is Macon, MO from Joplin, MO?

The driving distance from Macon, MO to Joplin, MO is about 292.9 miles (471.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 214.3 miles (344.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
292.88 mi
04h 40m
Flight
214.3 mi
344.89 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Macon.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
214.3 mi
Kilometers
344.89 km
Flight Time
00h 25m

Driving Distance

Road route
292.88 mi
Kilometers
471.34 km
Drive Time
04h 40m

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 04h 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Joplin
Sat, May 2, 6:39 PM CDT
Return by in Macon
Sat, May 2, 11:20 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Macon
2026-05-02T13:59
Arrive Joplin
Sat, May 2, 6:39 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:41 AM to 12:41 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:38 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Macon
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Camdenton
MO

City in Missouri, United States

From Macon
146.2 mi
02h 20m
To Joplin
146.7 mi
02h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph NNW
Destination
65°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
1 to 7 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Macon and Joplin.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Macon and Joplin.

  1. 1

    Start on Walker Street

    48 m · 8 sec · Walker Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Washington Street

    47 m · 12 sec · East Washington Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto North Rollins Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · North Rollins Street

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto South Missouri Street

    84.1 mi · 1 hr 31 min · South Missouri Street

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City

    6.6 mi · 8 min

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    52.7 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit right toward MO 5 South, MO 7 South: Lebanon

    1203 ft · 29 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    24 mi · 29 min

  9. 9

    Turn left onto North Jefferson Avenue

    1.6 mi · 2 min · North Jefferson Avenue

  10. 10

    Take the exit right toward I 44 West: Springfield

    731 ft · 18 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    113 mi · 2 hr 2 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, Joplin

    8.5 mi · 17 min

  13. 13

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    48 m · 7 sec · South Main Street

  14. 14

    Turn right

    18 m · 7 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right

    25 m · 6 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Macon and Joplin.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 44 West
113 mi · 39%
South Missouri Street
84.1 mi · 29%
US 54 West
59.4 mi · 20%
MO 5 South
24.2 mi · 8%
I 44 Business
8.55 mi · 3%
North Jefferson Avenue
1.55 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 44 West

Merge slight left

113 mi · 02h 02m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 40m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+78.6 mi
214.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Camdenton
02h 20m from Macon
Leave By
7:38 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Macon and Mostly Sunny near Joplin.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Macon to Joplin?

The road trip is about 292.9 miles (471.3 km) and usually takes 04h 40m 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 146.2 miles from Macon and 146.7 miles from Joplin.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 214.3 miles (344.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 78.6 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 7:38 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.95 one way or $77.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Macon and Mostly Sunny near Joplin.

Stop Ideas Near Camdenton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Camdenton, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Camdenton.

RAIL

Jefferson City

81 mi away
101 Jefferson Street
RAIL

Sedalia

89 mi away
100 block of Main Street, through parking lot

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Macon and Joplin. Straight-line distance: 214.3 mi (344.89 km).

Macon

#1 Macon

City in Missouri, United States of America

Population5,341
Coordinates39.7422600, -92.4726900
Altitude265
CountryUnited States
Joplin

#2 Joplin

The most populous city in Jasper County, Missouri.

Population50,956
Coordinates37.0842300, -94.5132800
Altitude306
CountryUnited States
Start: Walker Street (-92.472302, 39.742247)
End: South Main Street (-94.513461, 37.084233)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 471 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.33 gal
39.12 L · about $38.95
Round trip
$77.91
20.66 gal · 78.24 L
Estimated CO2
91.8 kg one way
Round trip: 183.6 kg / 405 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $38.95 $77.91
Mid-grade $4.25 $43.93 $87.87
Premium $4.65 $48.08 $96.15
Diesel $5.30 $54.79 $109.58

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 · May 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Macon and Joplin. The current time is 13:59:04.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.