Origin
Branson, MO
Afternoon in Branson on Sunday
Local time
2:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Branson, MO to Joplin, MO
Drive Time
2h 12m
Distance
110 mi
177 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
Branson, MO
Valeria Boltneva
Joplin, MO
Miloš Steklý
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel between Branson and Joplin, expect a straightforward 110-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 12 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single day, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. With fuel costs estimated at around $17, it remains an economical way to navigate this part of the Midwest. You will primarily utilize the Captain Aaron J Eidem Memorial Highway, the American Legion Memorial Highway, and the James River Freeway to complete the trek. Because the distance is relatively short, you have the flexibility to head out whenever your schedule allows without feeling rushed. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two Missouri cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
55 miles from Branson, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions across different types of road infrastructure. About 33% of your trip will be spent on highways, providing a balanced pace rather than a strictly monotonous interstate grind. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 52.7 miles while traveling on the Captain Aaron J Eidem Memorial Highway. The route shifts in character as you move between these thoroughfares, requiring you to stay alert through varying traffic patterns. Ultimately, the drive offers a functional blend of faster highway segments and local connectors that keep the experience from feeling repetitive.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Captain Aaron J Eidem Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 52.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 65 Bus; MO 76 / South Business 65.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 110 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 65 Bus; MO 76 / South Business 65): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Red Route / Branson Landing Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 33.8 miles (US 65 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 65 Bus; MO 76 / South Business 65
Turn left onto US 65 Bus; MO 76 / South Business 65
Navigation decision point
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Red Route / Branson Landing Boulevard
Enter roundabout onto Red Route / Branson Landing Boulevard
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
33.8 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
US 65 Business
Take the exit onto US 65 Business toward US 60 West, US 65 Business
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 60 West, US 65 Business
5
47.9 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 44 West: Joplin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 44 West: Joplin
8
101.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
|
I 44 Business; MO 66
Take the exit onto I 44 Business; MO 66 toward I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, Joplin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 15
Toward I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, Joplin
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Captain Aaron J Eidem Memorial Highway | 52.7 mi | 56m |
| American Legion Memorial Highway | 18.6 mi | 21m |
| James River Freeway | 13.2 mi | 15m |
| US Highway 65 | 12 mi | 13m |
| I 44 Business | 8.5 mi | 17m |
| Schoolcraft Freeway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| US 65 Business | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Branson Landing Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Captain Aaron J Eidem Memorial Highway
— 52.7 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Branson, MO and Joplin, MO.
1
Start on this road
63 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto US 65 Bus; MO 76
169 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Business 65
3
Continue on Red Route
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Veterans Boulevard
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on Red Route
150 ft
·
3 sec
·
Veterans Boulevard
5
Enter roundabout onto Red Route
287 ft
·
8 sec
·
Branson Landing Boulevard
6
Continue on Red Route
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Branson Landing Boulevard
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 65 North: Springfield
8
Merge onto US 65; MO 76
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
9
Continue on US 65
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 65
10
Continue on US 65
11 mi
·
12 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
11
Continue on US 65
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Schoolcraft Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto US 65 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 65 Business
Toward US 60 West, US 65 Business
13
Merge onto US 60; US 65 Bus
13 mi
·
15 min
·
James River Freeway
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 44 West: Joplin
15
Merge onto I 44
53 mi
·
56 min
·
Captain Aaron J Eidem Memorial Highway
16
Take the exit onto I 44 Business; MO 66
8.5 mi
·
17 min
·
I 44 Business; MO 66
Exit 15
Toward I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, Joplin
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto US Historic 66; MO 43
156 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Main Street
18
Turn right
60 ft
·
6 sec
19
Turn right
83 ft
·
6 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable two-hour drive, you have the advantage of choosing a departure time that avoids peak traffic congestion. You won't need to plan for any formal stops, as the duration is short enough to drive straight through comfortably. Keep your gas gauge in mind before you head out, as budgeting $17 for fuel will cover your transit from start to finish. Because you are navigating a mix of roads, pay close attention to signage when transitioning onto the James River Freeway. This flexibility is your biggest asset, allowing you to easily adjust your schedule based on your personal preferences for the day.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 55 miles from Branson, MO, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55 miles or 1h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Joplin, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Branson, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Branson, MO
This is one driving day of about 110 miles and 2h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Branson, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Captain Aaron J Eidem Memorial Highway for about 52.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 55 mi from Branson, MO · 1h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 55 miles from Branson, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Joplin, MO
The final approach into Joplin, MO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Joplin, MO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.71 one way
$33.42 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $18.42 | $36.84 |
| premium | $4.80 | $20.77 | $41.53 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $24.44 | $48.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33 | 0 | $11.55 | $5.28 |
| Efficient EV | 27.5 | 0 | $9.63 | $4.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44 | 0 | $15.40 | $7.04 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Joplin, MO
Afternoon in Joplin on Sunday
Local time
2:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 12m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Branson, MO to Joplin, MO covers 110 miles and takes about 2h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Captain Aaron J Eidem Memorial Highway, American Legion Memorial Highway, James River Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 55 miles from Branson, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.71 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 110 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 65 Bus; MO 76 / South Business 65): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Red Route / Branson Landing Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 33.8 miles (US 65 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Branson, MO to Joplin, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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