Drive Time
1h 46m
Distance
110 mi
177 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
Photo: Miloš Steklý
The drive from Branson, MO to Joplin, MO covers 110 miles and takes about 1h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Business 65, Veterans Boulevard, Branson Landing Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.33 one way before food or hotel costs.
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 53m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 46m drive with frequent turns across 110 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Very easy — mostly straight driving
The drive from Branson, MO to Joplin, MO is easy. At 1h 46m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Branson, MO to Joplin, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Business 65 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Veterans Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Branson Landing Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 65 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| American Legion Memorial Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 65 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Schoolcraft Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 60 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Branson, MO and Joplin, MO.
Start on the route
Turn left onto South Business 65
Continue on Veterans Boulevard
Continue on Veterans Boulevard
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Branson Landing Boulevard
Exit the roundabout onto Branson Landing Boulevard
Take the ramp straight toward US 65 North: Springfield
Merge slight left onto American Legion Memorial Highway
Continue on US Highway 65
Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway
Continue on Schoolcraft Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward US 60 West, US 65 Business
Merge slight left onto James River Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on I 44 West: Joplin
Merge slight left onto Captain Aaron J Eidem Memorial Highway
Take the exit slight right toward I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, Joplin
Turn right onto South Main Street
Turn right
Turn right
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55 miles or 53m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Joplin, MO than in the middle of the route.
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 1h 46m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 55 mi from Branson, MO · 53m 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 55 miles from Branson, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$16.33 one way
$32.66 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $18.42 | $36.84 |
| premium | $4.65 | $20.16 | $40.31 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $22.97 | $45.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.5 kg one way.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Branson on Saturday
Local time
12:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Joplin on Saturday
Local time
12:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
56°F
Bull Shoals, AR
55 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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