How far is St. Louis, MO from Joplin, MO?
The driving distance from St. Louis, MO to Joplin, MO is about 284.9 miles (458.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 258.4 miles (415.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 39m 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 19m.
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 Missouri parts of witch are in Camden, Laclede, and Pulaski Counties
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between St. Louis and Joplin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Louis and Joplin.
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1
Start on Market Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Market Street
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2
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.2 mi · 3 min · South Jefferson Avenue
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3
Take the ramp straight toward I 44 West
1051 ft · 16 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway
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5
Continue on Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
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6
Continue on Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
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7
Continue on Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway
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8
Continue on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
261.3 mi · 4 hr 44 min · Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, Joplin
8.5 mi · 17 min
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10
Turn right onto South Main Street
48 m · 7 sec · South Main Street
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11
Turn right
18 m · 7 sec
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12
Turn right
25 m · 6 sec
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between St. Louis and Joplin.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Continue on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
261 mi · 04h 44m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving St. Louis and Mostly Cloudy near Joplin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from St. Louis to Joplin?
The road trip is about 284.9 miles (458.5 km) and usually takes 04h 19m 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 miles from St. Louis and 142.9 miles from Joplin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 258.4 miles (415.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.5 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 8:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.90 one way or $75.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around St. Louis and Mostly Cloudy near Joplin.
Stop Ideas Near Richland
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 Richland.
Jefferson City
Sedalia
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between St. Louis and Joplin. Straight-line distance: 258.4 mi (415.85 km).
#1 St. Louis
The second most populous city in Missouri and the center of the St.
| Population | 315,685 |
| Coordinates | 38.6272700, -90.1978900 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| 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: 459 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.90 | $75.80 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.74 | $85.49 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.77 | $93.55 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.31 | $106.61 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.