Joplin, MO Road Trips

Sitting in the Midwest, Joplin, MO is a local road trip base with 35 trip routes mapped and ready to explore. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 9-mile quick runs to 327-mile cross-state drives. Most routes from Joplin, MO head east, giving the route network a clear directional lean.

Photo: Miloš Steklý

Trip Routes

35

Longest Drive

326.8 mi

Caruthersville, MO

Quickest Drive

15m

Carl Junction, MO

Plan Around Joplin, MO

Popular Incoming Routes

Useful if Joplin, MO is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.

Caruthersville, MO to Joplin, MO 326.8 mi · 6h 45m Malden, MO to Joplin, MO 288.8 mi · 5h 57m St. Louis, MO to Joplin, MO 284.3 mi · 5h 21m Clayton, MO to Joplin, MO 279.5 mi · 5h 17m

Continue From Joplin, MO

Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.

Joplin, MO to Caruthersville, MO 326.8 mi · 6h 45m Joplin, MO to Castor, MO 304.3 mi · 6h 13m Joplin, MO to Malden, MO 288.8 mi · 5h 56m Joplin, MO to Clayton, MO 279.5 mi · 5h 17m

Trips from Joplin, MO

Joplin, MO to Caruthersville, MO

326.8 mi 6h 45m

Joplin, MO to Castor, MO

304.3 mi 6h 13m

Joplin, MO to Malden, MO

288.8 mi 5h 56m

Joplin, MO to Clayton, MO

279.5 mi 5h 17m

Joplin, MO to Byrnes Mill, MO

260.9 mi 5h 1m

Joplin, MO to Eureka, MO

257.8 mi 4h 48m

Joplin, MO to Centralia, MO

255.4 mi 5h 2m

Joplin, MO to Columbia, MO

236.1 mi 4h 35m

Joplin, MO to Jefferson City, MO

205.5 mi 3h 17m

Joplin, MO to California, MO

197.6 mi 3h 57m

Joplin, MO to Independence, MO

160.9 mi 2h 35m

Joplin, MO to Belton, MO

137.2 mi 2h 35m

Joplin, MO to Aurora, MO

50.5 mi 1h 7m

Joplin, MO to Carthage, MO

16.4 mi 26m

Joplin, MO to Carl Junction, MO

8.5 mi 15m

Driving from Joplin, MO

The typical drive from Joplin, MO covers about 199 miles and takes around 3h 51m. There is a healthy spread of short hops, medium drives, and longer road trips to pick from. The longest mapped route runs 327 miles (6h 45m), while the shortest is just 9 miles.

Popular Destinations

Top road trip destinations from Joplin, MO are Caruthersville, MO (326.8 mi, 6h 45m), Castor, MO (304.3 mi, 6h 13m), Malden, MO (288.8 mi, 5h 56m), Clayton, MO (279.5 mi, 5h 17m), and Byrnes Mill, MO (260.9 mi, 5h 1m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.

Planning & Costs

Regular gas in MO currently averages around $3.77 per gallon. For the typical 199-mile trip from Joplin, MO, budget about $29 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.

Routes tend to go east, so afternoon departures put the sun at your back on the return leg. Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 15 mapped routes leaving Joplin, MO and 20 routes heading into Joplin, MO, covering 35 total connections. Distances range from 9 to 327 miles.

The longest mapped route from Joplin, MO covers 327 miles and takes approximately 6h 45m. Shorter options start at just 9 miles.

The average route from Joplin, MO runs about 199 miles with a drive time of roughly 3h 51m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.

At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 199-mile trip from Joplin, MO costs roughly $29 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.

The most popular road trip destinations from Joplin, MO include Caruthersville, MO, Castor, MO, Malden, MO and Clayton, MO. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.