How far is Saint Charles, MO from Joplin, MO?

The driving distance from Saint Charles, MO to Joplin, MO is about 287.8 miles (463.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 249.1 miles (400.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 46m 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
287.76 mi
04h 23m
Flight
249.11 mi
400.9 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Saint Charles.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
249.11 mi
Kilometers
400.9 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
287.76 mi
Kilometers
463.11 km
Drive Time
04h 23m

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 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Joplin
Fri, Apr 24, 5:13 AM CDT
Return by in Saint Charles
Fri, Apr 24, 9:37 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Charles
2026-04-24T00:50
Arrive Joplin
Fri, Apr 24, 5:13 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:23 AM to 12:23 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
8:14 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Saint Charles
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
Richland
MO

City in Missouri parts of witch are in Camden, Laclede, and Pulaski Counties

From Saint Charles
142.7 mi
02h 11m
To Joplin
145 mi
02h 11m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Friday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SW
Destination
71°F
Friday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Charles and Joplin.

  1. 1

    Start on North Second Street

    949 ft · 38 sec · North Second Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Jefferson Street

    1093 ft · 45 sec · Jefferson Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South Fifth Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · South Fifth Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 70 East

    1019 ft · 14 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    2.7 mi · 3 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis

    872 ft · 12 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 270 South: Memphis

    2339 ft · 33 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on I 270 South: Memphis

    723 ft · 10 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    10.9 mi · 14 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Dougherty Ferry Road

    1331 ft · 28 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Dougherty Ferry Road

    2.5 mi · 5 min · Dougherty Ferry Road

  12. 12

    Continue on Forest Avenue

    1.6 km · 2 min · Forest Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left

    1.2 km · 1 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right

    32 m · 3 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right onto North Highway Drive

    748 ft · 14 sec · North Highway Drive

  16. 16

    Take the ramp straight toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Rolla

    936 ft · 13 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor

    256.3 mi · 4 hr 38 min · Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor

  18. 18

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

    8.5 mi · 17 min

  19. 19

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    48 m · 7 sec · South Main Street

  20. 20

    Turn right

    18 m · 7 sec

  21. 21

    Turn right

    25 m · 6 sec

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
22 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
256 mi · 89%
I 270 South
11.5 mi · 4%
I 44 Business
8.55 mi · 3%
I 70 East
2.85 mi · 1%
Dougherty Ferry Road
2.78 mi · 1%
South Fifth Street
1.1 mi
Longest Stretch

Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor

Merge slight left onto Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor

256 mi · 04h 38m

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 23m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+38.7 mi
249.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Richland
02h 11m from Saint Charles
Leave By
8:14 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Saint Charles 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 Saint Charles to Joplin?

The road trip is about 287.8 miles (463.1 km) and usually takes 04h 23m 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?

Richland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 142.7 miles from Saint Charles and 145 miles from Joplin.

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

The direct path is about 249.1 miles (400.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.7 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 8:14 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.28 one way or $76.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Saint Charles and Showers And Thunderstorms near Joplin.

Stop Ideas Near Richland

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Richland, 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 Richland.

RAIL

Jefferson City

83 mi away
101 Jefferson Street
RAIL

Sedalia

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Charles and Joplin. Straight-line distance: 249.11 mi (400.9 km).

Saint Charles

#1 Saint Charles

A city in St.

Population71,761
Coordinates38.7839400, -90.4812300
Altitude147
CountryUnited States
Joplin

#2 Joplin

The most populous city in Jasper County, Missouri.

Population50,956
Coordinates37.0842300, -94.5132800
Altitude306
CountryUnited States
Start: North Second Street (-90.481269, 38.783952)
End: South Main Street (-94.513461, 37.084233)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 463 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.15 gal
38.44 L · about $38.28
Round trip
$76.55
20.3 gal · 76.88 L
Estimated CO2
90.2 kg one way
Round trip: 180.4 kg / 398 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $38.28 $76.55
Mid-grade $4.25 $43.17 $86.34
Premium $4.65 $47.24 $94.48
Diesel $5.30 $53.84 $107.67

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 24, 2026

There is no time difference between Saint Charles and Joplin. The current time is 00:50:31.

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.