Origin
Fulton, MO
Morning in Fulton on Thursday
Local time
11:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fulton, MO to Joplin, MO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 26m
Distance
228.4 mi
368 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 13m
★
6 AM
4h 26m
8 AM
4h 53m
10 AM
4h 36m
12 PM
4h 33m
3 PM
4h 37m
5 PM
4h 52m
8 PM
4h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fulton, MO
Yaroslav Shuraev
Joplin, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 228.4-mile drive from Fulton to Joplin, Missouri, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, with an estimated travel time of 4 hours and 26 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-44, with some segments of US 54 Business and MO 5, making it a 98% highway experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $36, it's an economical trip for those looking to travel within the Midwest. This route is best suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop, and offers a practical way to traverse Missouri.
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
114.2 miles from Fulton, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 26m. Total distance: 228.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 98% of your journey taking place on high-speed roads like I-44. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 113 miles on I-44, so you'll have long periods of consistent driving. This means you'll spend most of your time on multi-lane highways designed for efficient travel between cities. While the profile is highway-focused, keep an eye out for the transitions as you move between I-44 and the business routes or state highways, as these might offer slight changes in the driving environment.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 44 is the longest continuous segment at about 113 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and US 54 Business. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East 4th Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 26m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 54 Business / Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (US 54 Business): Lane positioning matters here.
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
|
East 4th Street
Turn left onto East 4th Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 54 Business / Market Street
Turn right onto US 54 Business / Market Street
Navigation decision point
6
2.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 54 Business
Take the ramp onto US 54 Business toward US 54 West: Jefferson City
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 54 West: Jefferson City
5
80.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward MO 5 South, MO 7 South: Lebanon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MO 5 South, MO 7 South: Lebanon
8
219.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| I 44 | 113 mi | 2h 2m |
| US 54 Business | 78.2 mi | 1h 29m |
| MO 5 | 24 mi | 29m |
| I 44 Business | 8.5 mi | 17m |
| Market Street | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| North Jefferson Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| MO H | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East 4th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 113 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fulton, MO and Joplin, MO.
1
Start on Court Street
24 ft
·
6 sec
·
Court Street
2
Turn left onto East 4th Street
267 ft
·
15 sec
·
East 4th Street
3
Turn right onto US 54 Business
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Market Street
4
Continue on US 54 Business
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Market Street
5
Continue on MO H; US 54 BUS
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
MO H; US 54 BUS
6
Take the ramp onto US 54 Business
78 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
US 54 Business
Toward US 54 West: Jefferson City
Use the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward MO 5 South, MO 7 South: Lebanon
8
Merge onto MO 5; MO 7
24 mi
·
29 min
·
MO 5; MO 7
9
Turn left onto MO 5; MO 64
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Jefferson Avenue
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 44 West: Springfield
11
Merge onto I 44
113 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
·
I 44
12
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.
13
Turn right onto US Historic 66; MO 43
156 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Main Street
14
Turn right
60 ft
·
6 sec
15
Turn right
83 ft
·
6 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 26-minute drive, starting early will give you ample flexibility for stops and ensure you arrive before evening. Since it's a manageable day trip, you can decide on your pacing as you go, but plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel. The majority of the route is on I-44, so be aware of potential traffic around larger towns. A good tip is to ensure your vehicle is topped up on fuel before leaving Fulton, as the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 113 miles on I-44, minimizing the need to search for gas stations during the most consistent part of your drive.
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 114.2 miles from Fulton, MO, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113 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 50 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.2 miles or 2h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 33m
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 Fulton, 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 Fulton, MO
This is one driving day of about 228.4 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Fulton, 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 I 44 for about 113 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 114.2 mi from Fulton, MO · 2h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 114.2 miles from Fulton, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 44 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113 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
$35.71 one way
$71.42 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $39.21 | $78.41 |
| premium | $4.89 | $43.95 | $87.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.43 | $100.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.5 | 0 | $23.98 | $10.96 |
| Efficient EV | 57.1 | 0 | $19.99 | $9.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.4 | 1 | $31.98 | $14.62 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Morning in Joplin on Thursday
Local time
11:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Lebanon, MO
114 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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 26m 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 Fulton, MO to Joplin, MO covers 228.4 miles and takes about 4h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 44, US 54 Business, MO 5. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 114.2 miles from Fulton, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.71 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 is a straightforward 4h 26m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 54 Business / Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (US 54 Business): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fulton, MO to Joplin, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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