How far is Malden, MO from Joplin, MO?

The driving distance from Malden, MO to Joplin, MO is about 288.6 miles (464.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 254.1 miles (408.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 35m 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
288.66 mi
04h 47m
Flight
254.08 mi
408.91 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Malden.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
254.08 mi
Kilometers
408.91 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
288.66 mi
Kilometers
464.55 km
Drive Time
04h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Joplin
Thu, May 21, 11:04 PM CDT
Return by in Malden
Fri, May 22, 3:52 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Malden
2026-05-21T18:16
Arrive Joplin
Thu, May 21, 11:04 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:48 AM to 12:48 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
7:24 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Malden
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
Cabool
MO

City in Texas County, Missouri, United States

From Malden
144.2 mi
02h 23m
To Joplin
144.5 mi
02h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, May 21 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NE
Destination
73°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, May 21 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Laclede Street

    19 m · 8 sec · West Laclede Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Madison Street

    135 m · 14 sec · South Madison Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    1320 ft · 28 sec · West Main Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto North Douglas Street

    2008 ft · 45 sec · North Douglas Street

  5. 5

    Turn left

    11.5 mi · 20 min

  6. 6

    Turn right

    19.5 mi · 29 min

  7. 7

    Turn right onto South Westwood Boulevard

    2.4 mi · 4 min · South Westwood Boulevard

  8. 8

    Continue on State Street

    1396 ft · 26 sec · State Street

  9. 9

    Continue on North Westwood Boulevard

    1.6 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    2283 ft · 38 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    4 mi · 5 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right

    186.3 mi · 3 hr 39 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 44 West: Joplin

    1.3 km · 2 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Captain Aaron J Eidem Memorial Highway

    52.7 mi · 56 min · Captain Aaron J Eidem Memorial Highway

  15. 15

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

    8.5 mi · 17 min

  16. 16

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    48 m · 7 sec · South Main Street

  17. 17

    Turn right

    18 m · 7 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right

    25 m · 6 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
19 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Westwood Boulevard
192 mi · 67%
Captain Aaron J Eidem Memorial Highway
52.7 mi · 18%
I 44 Business
8.55 mi · 3%
South Westwood Boulevard
2.35 mi · 1%
I 44 West
0.84 mi
North Douglas Street
0.38 mi
Longest Stretch

North Westwood Boulevard

Take the exit slight right

186 mi · 03h 39m

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 47m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34.5 mi
254.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cabool
02h 23m from Malden
Leave By
7:24 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Malden and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Joplin.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 288.6 miles (464.5 km) and usually takes 04h 47m 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?

Cabool is a useful midpoint, sitting about 144.2 miles from Malden and 144.5 miles from Joplin.

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

The direct path is about 254.1 miles (408.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.5 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 7:24 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.43 one way or $76.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Malden and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Joplin.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Malden and Joplin. Straight-line distance: 254.08 mi (408.91 km).

Malden

#1 Malden

City in Missouri

Population3,858
Coordinates36.5570000, -89.9664800
Altitude89
CountryUnited States
Joplin

#2 Joplin

The most populous city in Jasper County, Missouri.

Population50,956
Coordinates37.0842300, -94.5132800
Altitude306
CountryUnited States
Start: West Laclede Street (-89.966479, 36.557057)
End: South Main Street (-94.513461, 37.084233)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 465 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.19 gal
38.56 L · about $38.43
Round trip
$76.85
20.38 gal · 77.12 L
Estimated CO2
90.6 kg one way
Round trip: 181.1 kg / 399 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $38.43 $76.85
Mid-grade $4.25 $43.34 $86.68
Premium $4.65 $47.42 $94.85
Diesel $5.30 $54.05 $108.10

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 · May 21, 2026

There is no time difference between Malden and Joplin. The current time is 18:16:59.

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.