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

The driving distance from Saint James, MO to Joplin, MO is about 189 miles (304.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 170.9 miles (275 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
188.98 mi
02h 57m
Flight
170.88 mi
275.01 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Saint James.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
170.88 mi
Kilometers
275.01 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
188.98 mi
Kilometers
304.13 km
Drive Time
02h 57m

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 02h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Joplin
Thu, Apr 23, 9:34 AM CDT
Return by in Saint James
Thu, Apr 23, 12:32 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint James
2026-04-23T06:37
Arrive Joplin
Thu, Apr 23, 9:34 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:57 AM to 12:57 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Saint James
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Marshfield
MO

City in Missouri

From Saint James
94.4 mi
01h 28m
To Joplin
94.6 mi
01h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 21 mph S
Destination
76°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 22 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Washington Street

    8 m · 3 sec · East Washington Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Jefferson Street

    1 km · 1 min · South Jefferson Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left

    922 ft · 23 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    179.6 mi · 3 hr 14 min

  5. 5

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

    8.5 mi · 17 min

  6. 6

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    48 m · 7 sec · South Main Street

  7. 7

    Turn right

    18 m · 7 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right

    25 m · 6 sec

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint James 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
9 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
4.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Jefferson Street
180 mi · 95%
I 44 Business
8.55 mi · 5%
South Main Street
0.03 mi
East Washington Street
0 mi
Longest Stretch

South Jefferson Street

Merge slight left

180 mi · 03h 14m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.1 mi
170.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Marshfield
01h 28m from Saint James
Leave By
12:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Saint James and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance 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 James to Joplin?

The road trip is about 189 miles (304.1 km) and usually takes 02h 57m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Marshfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.4 miles from Saint James and 94.6 miles from Joplin.

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

The direct path is about 170.9 miles (275 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.15 one way or $50.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Saint James and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Joplin.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint James and Joplin. Straight-line distance: 170.88 mi (275.01 km).

Saint James

#1 Saint James

City in Phelps County, Missouri, United States

Population4,006
Coordinates37.9972600, -91.6143200
Altitude333
CountryUnited States
Joplin

#2 Joplin

The most populous city in Jasper County, Missouri.

Population50,956
Coordinates37.0842300, -94.5132800
Altitude306
CountryUnited States
Start: East Washington Street (-91.614285, 37.997211)
End: South Main Street (-94.513461, 37.084233)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 304 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.67 gal
25.24 L · about $25.15
Round trip
$50.31
13.34 gal · 50.48 L
Estimated CO2
59.3 kg one way
Round trip: 118.6 kg / 261 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $25.15 $50.31
Mid-grade $4.25 $28.37 $56.74
Premium $4.65 $31.04 $62.08
Diesel $5.30 $35.38 $70.76

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Saint James and Joplin. The current time is 06:37:21.

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.