How far is Spanish Lake, MO from Joplin, MO?
The driving distance from Spanish Lake, MO to Joplin, MO is about 297.2 miles (478.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 262 miles (421.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 15m 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 04h 37m.
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 Pulaski County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Spanish Lake and Joplin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spanish Lake and Joplin.
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1
Start on Bellefontaine Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Bellefontaine Road
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2
Turn right onto Dunn Road
892 ft · 30 sec · Dunn Road
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward I 270 West: Kansas City
56 m · 11 sec
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4
Exit the roundabout onto I 270 West: Kansas City
816 ft · 12 sec
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5
Merge slight left
23.8 mi · 30 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Dougherty Ferry Road
1331 ft · 28 sec
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7
Turn right onto Dougherty Ferry Road
2.5 mi · 5 min · Dougherty Ferry Road
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8
Continue on Forest Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min · Forest Avenue
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9
Turn left
1.2 km · 1 min
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10
Take the exit slight right
32 m · 3 sec
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11
Turn right onto North Highway Drive
748 ft · 14 sec · North Highway Drive
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12
Take the ramp straight toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Rolla
936 ft · 13 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
256.3 mi · 4 hr 38 min · Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, Joplin
8.5 mi · 17 min
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15
Turn right onto South Main Street
48 m · 7 sec · South Main Street
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16
Turn right
18 m · 7 sec
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17
Turn right
25 m · 6 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Spanish Lake and Joplin.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Spanish Lake 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 Spanish Lake to Joplin?
The road trip is about 297.2 miles (478.3 km) and usually takes 04h 37m 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?
Waynesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 147.4 miles from Spanish Lake and 149.8 miles from Joplin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 262 miles (421.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.2 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 7:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.56 one way or $79.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Spanish Lake and Showers And Thunderstorms near Joplin.
Stop Ideas Near Waynesville
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 Waynesville.
Jefferson City
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Spanish Lake and Joplin. Straight-line distance: 262.06 mi (421.74 km).
#1 Spanish Lake
Census designated place
| Population | 19,650 |
| Coordinates | 38.7878300, -90.2159400 |
| Altitude | 165 |
| 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: 478 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.56 | $79.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.61 | $89.23 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.82 | $97.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.64 | $111.28 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.