Trip from Caruthersville, MO to Joplin, MO

Drive Time

6h 45m

Distance

326.8 mi

526 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Caruthersville, MO

Renegade Lenz

Joplin, MO

Miloš Steklý

Trip Overview

Crossing Missouri from Caruthersville to Joplin covers a total distance of 326.8 miles, typically requiring about 6 hours and 45 minutes of travel time. Because this is a highway-focused drive, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day, though it will be a full day on the road. Budgeting roughly $50 for fuel should cover your primary transit costs along the route. Navigating mainly via US 60, the Captain Aaron J. Eidem Memorial Highway, and MO 53, you will traverse the heart of the Midwest. Whether you are looking for a straightforward transit or a long-haul trek, this route offers a reliable connection between these two Missouri cities without the need for an overnight split.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

163.4 miles from Caruthersville, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 30m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a trip defined by its highway-focused nature, with 78% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. The personality of this drive is anchored by a significant 190.3-mile stretch on US 60, which serves as the backbone of your journey. You will spend most of your time maintaining a steady pace, as the route is designed for efficiency rather than technical, winding roads. As you shift between the Captain Aaron J. Eidem Memorial Highway and the various state routes, the environment remains consistent with a standard Midwestern highway experience. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that rewards drivers who appreciate the rhythm of long, uninterrupted miles.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 60 is the longest continuous segment at about 190.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 60 and Captain Aaron J Eidem Memorial Highway. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 3rd Street.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 326.8 miles you will encounter 14 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 (West 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 78.4 miles (US 60): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 264.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | West 3rd Street

Turn right onto West 3rd Street

Navigation decision point

78.4 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in | US 60

Take the exit onto US 60

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

264.7 mi into trip | ~5h 29m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 44 West: Joplin

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 44 West: Joplin

318.2 mi into trip | ~6h 27m 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

326.8 mi into trip | ~6h 45m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 60	190.3 mi	3h 43m
Captain Aaron J Eidem Memorial Highway	52.7 mi	56m
MO 53	34.6 mi	51m
US 412	13.3 mi	15m
Independence Street	11.6 mi	17m
I 44 Business	8.5 mi	17m
I 155	7.1 mi	7m
South Westwood Boulevard	2.4 mi	3m

Longest stretch: US 60 — 190.3 mi, about 3h 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Caruthersville, MO and Joplin, MO.

Start on this road

45 ft · 5 sec · this road

Turn right onto West 3rd Street

510 ft · 16 sec · West 3rd Street

Turn right onto Ward Avenue

1.3 mi · 3 min · Ward Avenue

Turn right onto MO 84

0.3 mi · 27 sec · MO 84

Turn straight onto MO U

1.3 mi · 2 min · MO U

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Merge onto I 155; US 412

7.1 mi · 7 min · I 155; US 412

Continue on US 412; MO 84

13 mi · 15 min · US 412; MO 84

Take the exit

470 ft · 13 sec

Turn straight onto MO 25

12 mi · 17 min · Independence Street

Turn left onto MO 53

35 mi · 51 min · MO 53

Turn right onto US 67 Business

2.4 mi · 3 min · South Westwood Boulevard

Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business

0.3 mi · 25 sec · State Street

Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard

Continue on US 67; US 60 Business

0.4 mi · 37 sec · US 67; US 60 Business

Continue on US 60; US 67

4.0 mi · 4 min · US 60; US 67

Take the exit onto US 60

186 mi · 3 hr 38 min · US 60

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 44 West: Joplin

Merge onto I 44

53 mi · 56 min · Captain Aaron J Eidem Memorial Highway

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.

Turn right onto US Historic 66; MO 43

156 ft · 7 sec · South Main Street

Turn right

60 ft · 6 sec

Turn right

83 ft · 6 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To keep your 6-hour and 45-minute drive manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the longest stretch spans 190.3 miles, try to time your break near the midpoint to avoid fatigue during the second half of the trip. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to ensure you arrive in Joplin before the end of the day, leaving you with plenty of flexibility for the evening. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout that long US 60 segment, as finding service stations can be less frequent depending on your specific pace. Use your $50 fuel budget as a baseline, but consider keeping a small buffer for local fluctuations as you move across the state.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 163.4 miles from Caruthersville, MO, or about 3h 30m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 190.3 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 52m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 163.4 miles or 3h 30m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 34m

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 Caruthersville, 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 Caruthersville, MO

This is one driving day of about 326.8 miles and 6h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Caruthersville, MO.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on US 60 for about 190.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 163.4 mi from Caruthersville, MO · 3h 30m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gosnell, AR

163 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

Campton, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bono, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 163.4 miles from Caruthersville, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 190.3 miles.

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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$49.64 one way

$99.28 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 114 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$54.72	$109.44
premium	$4.80	$61.69	$123.39
diesel	$5.64	$72.60	$145.21

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$50

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$75–$100

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 114.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	98	1	$34.31	$15.69
Efficient EV	81.7	0	$28.60	$13.07
EV Truck/SUV	130.7	1	$45.75	$20.92

Gas CO2

114 kg

EV CO2

38 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Caruthersville, MO

Afternoon in Caruthersville on Sunday

Local time

2:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Joplin, MO

Afternoon in Joplin on Sunday

Local time

2:36 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

23 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

6h 45m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Caruthersville, MO to Joplin, MO covers 326.8 miles and takes about 6h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 60, Captain Aaron J Eidem Memorial Highway, MO 53. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 163.4 miles from Caruthersville, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.64 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.