Origin
Concord, MO
Night in Concord on Thursday
Local time
11:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
5h 9m
Distance
274.5 mi
442 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Concord, MO
Anna Guerrero
Joplin, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Embark on a 274.5-mile journey from Concord to Joplin, Missouri, a trip that will take approximately 5 hours and 9 minutes. This drive is primarily on local roads, with a smaller highway share, suggesting a more relaxed pace. With a fuel cost estimated at $43, this route is budget-friendly for a single-day excursion. Given its duration and profile, this is a manageable day trip, allowing you to explore more of the Midwest region without needing an overnight stay. Plan for a single stop to break up the drive.
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
137.2 miles from Concord, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 274.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (4%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll encounter numerous intersections and changes in direction rather than long, uninterrupted highway stretches. With only a 4% highway share, expect to navigate a variety of local roads. The longest continuous segment you'll experience is 259.5 miles along the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor. This driving profile suggests a more engaging experience, where you'll be actively navigating through varied terrain and potentially smaller communities as you make your way from the Midwest to Joplin.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Baptist Church Road.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 274.5 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: at 0.3 miles (Baptist Church Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto Baptist Church Road
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Tulsa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 44 West: Tulsa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Merge onto I 44; US 50 / Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor | 259.5 mi | 4h 41m |
| I 44 Business | 8.5 mi | 17m |
| I 270 | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| Tesson Ferry Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Concord Village Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Baptist Church Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Concord, MO and Joplin, MO.
Start on Concord Village Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Baptist Church Road
Turn slight right
Turn slight right onto MO 21
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 270
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 44; US 50
Take the exit onto I 44 Business; MO 66
Turn right onto US Historic 66; MO 43
Turn right
Turn right
Arrive at destination
For this 5-hour, 9-minute drive, consider an early start to maximize your daylight hours, especially since it's a local road-heavy route. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to rest. Be mindful of the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile; keep your navigation handy and be prepared for frequent adjustments. The estimated fuel cost of $43 is relatively low, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to signage for the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, as it forms the longest uninterrupted stretch and will guide you for a significant portion of your journey.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 60 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.2 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Joplin, MO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Concord, 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 Concord, MO
This is one driving day of about 274.5 miles and 5h 9m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 137.2 mi from Concord, MO · 2h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
137 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 137.2 miles from Concord, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 259.5 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$42.91 one way
$85.83 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $47.12 | $94.24 |
| premium | $4.89 | $52.83 | $105.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.61 | $121.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.4 | 1 | $28.82 | $13.18 |
| Efficient EV | 68.6 | 0 | $24.02 | $10.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.8 | 1 | $38.43 | $17.57 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Concord on Thursday
Local time
11:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Joplin on Thursday
Local time
11:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
76°F
Waynesville, MO
137 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
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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