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Trip from Concord, MO to Joplin, MO

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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 56m ★
6 AM
5h 10m
8 AM
5h 37m
10 AM
5h 19m
12 PM
5h 16m
3 PM
5h 20m
5 PM
5h 35m
8 PM
5h 2m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Concord, MO, MO

Concord, MO

Anna Guerrero

city in southern Jasper County and northern Newton County, Missouri, USA

Joplin, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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 .

Who Is This Route For?

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.

Drive Character

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.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor is the longest continuous segment at about 259.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Driving Effort 5/10

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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

5
0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | Baptist Church Road

At end of road, turn left onto Baptist Church Road

Navigation decision point

8
5.1 mi into trip | ~7m in

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

Use the right lane. Exit 5B Toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Tulsa
7
6.3 mi into trip | ~10m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 44 West: Tulsa

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 5B Toward I 44 West: Tulsa
5
6.4 mi into trip | ~10m in | I 44; US 50 / Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor

Merge onto I 44; US 50 / Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
265.9 mi into trip | ~4h 52m 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
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
Longest stretch: Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor — 259.5 mi, about 4h 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Concord Village Avenue

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Concord Village Avenue
2

At end of road, turn left onto Baptist Church Road

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Baptist Church Road
3

Turn slight right

165 ft · 4 sec
Toward MO 21
4

Turn slight right onto MO 21

0.6 mi · 1 min · Tesson Ferry Road
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 20 sec
Toward I 270 North
6

Merge onto I 270

3.8 mi · 4 min · I 270
7

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min
Exit 5B Toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Tulsa Use the right lane.
8

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 22 sec · this road
Exit 275 Toward Soccer Park Road, North Highway Drive
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 9 sec
Exit 5B Toward I 44 West: Tulsa
10

Merge onto I 44; US 50

259 mi · 4 hr 41 min · Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

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.
12

Turn right onto US Historic 66; MO 43

156 ft · 7 sec · South Main Street
13

Turn right

60 ft · 6 sec
14

Turn right

83 ft · 6 sec
15

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 137.2 miles from Concord, MO, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 259.5 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Concord, 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 Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor for about 259.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and the county seat of Pulaski County, Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waynesville, MO

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Chesterfield, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waynesville, MO

Meal break

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 check

Top up before Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 259.5 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

$42.91 one way

$85.83 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 96 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Concord, MO

Night in Concord on Thursday

Local time

11:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Joplin, MO

Night in Joplin on Thursday

Local time

11:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

5h 9m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Concord, MO to Joplin, MO covers 274.5 miles and takes about 5h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, I 44 Business, I 270. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 137.2 miles from Concord, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.91 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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.
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.
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.
The route from Concord, MO to Joplin, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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