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Trip from Harrisonville, MO to Joplin, MO

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 17m

Distance

121.2 mi

195 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 8m ★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 24m
12 PM
2h 22m
3 PM
2h 25m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m

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

Downtown Harrisonville, MO, MO

Harrisonville, MO

Tom Fisk

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

Joplin, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 121.2-mile drive from Harrisonville, MO, to Joplin, MO, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 17 minutes. The majority of your journey, about 87% of it, will be spent on the interstate, primarily I 49. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this route offers an economical way to travel between two points within the Midwest region. Its direct nature makes it a practical choice for those looking to cover ground efficiently. You won't need an overnight stop for this distance; it's designed for a smooth, uninterrupted passage.

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

60.6 miles from Harrisonville, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a primarily highway-focused experience on this route, with a significant 87% share of your travel occurring on major roadways like I 49. You'll encounter one long, uninterrupted stretch of 104.7 miles on I 49, offering a consistent cruising speed. The "Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway" and "North Main Street Road" sections will introduce some local road variations, but the overall character remains that of a fast-paced interstate drive. This means less time navigating town centers and more time making good time on open highway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 49 is the longest continuous segment at about 104.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 2h 17m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113 miles (I 49 Business; MO 171): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

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

6
1.3 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward I 49 South, US 71 South, MO 7 South: Joplin

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 49 South, US 71 South, MO 7 South: Jop...
6
106.3 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in

Take the exit toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 53 Toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 1...
6
113 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in | I 49 Business; MO 171

Keep slight right at fork onto I 49 Business; MO 171 toward I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
5
114.1 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in | I 49 Business; MO 171 / East MacArthur Drive

Enter roundabout onto I 49 Business; MO 171 / East MacArthur Drive

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
121.2 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 49 104.7 mi 1h 52m
Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway 6.6 mi 7m
North Main Street Road 4.1 mi 8m
West Macarthur Drive 2 mi 3m
I 49 Business 1.1 mi 1m
East MacArthur Drive 1 mi 1m
South Independence Street 0.8 mi 1m
South Commercial Street 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 49 — 104.7 mi, about 1h 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South Independence Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Independence Street
2

Turn left onto South Commercial Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Commercial Street
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South, MO 7 South: Joplin
4

Merge onto I 49; US 71; MO 7

105 mi · 1 hr 52 min · I 49; US 71; MO 7
5

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 53 Toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
6

Turn right onto I 49 Business; MO 96; MO 171

6.6 mi · 7 min · Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 49 Business; MO 171

1.1 mi · 1 min · I 49 Business; MO 171
Toward I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
8

Enter roundabout onto I 49 Business; MO 171

235 ft · 3 sec · East MacArthur Drive
9

Continue on I 49 Business; MO 171

0.9 mi · 1 min · East MacArthur Drive
10

Continue on MO 171

2.0 mi · 3 min · West Macarthur Drive
11

Enter roundabout onto MO 43

254 ft · 6 sec · North Main Street Road
12

Continue on MO 43

4.0 mi · 8 min · North Main Street Road
13

Turn left

60 ft · 6 sec
14

Turn right

83 ft · 6 sec
15

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of just over two hours, this drive offers plenty of flexibility for when you depart. Consider an early morning start to enjoy cooler temperatures and lighter traffic, especially if you're traveling on a weekend. With no specific stops recommended, you can tailor your breaks as needed, perhaps pausing for fuel and a quick stretch around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on I 49 is over 100 miles, so plan your refueling before you hit that segment if you're running low.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 60.6 miles from Harrisonville, MO, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.7 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 27 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 60.6 miles or 1h 6m 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 47m

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 Harrisonville, 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 Harrisonville, MO

This is one driving day of about 121.2 miles and 2h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Harrisonville, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 49 for about 104.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 60.6 mi from Harrisonville, MO · 1h 6m into the drive

Downtown Nevada, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Nevada, MO

61 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.

Popular next leg

Nevada, MO to Joplin, MO

64.4 mi · 1h 17m

Pacing Suggestions

Rich Hill, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Nevada, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 60.6 miles from Harrisonville, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 49 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.7 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

$18.95 one way

$37.90 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.80 $41.61
premium $4.89 $23.32 $46.65
diesel $5.61 $26.76 $53.52

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.4 0 $12.73 $5.82
Efficient EV 30.3 0 $10.61 $4.85
EV Truck/SUV 48.5 0 $16.97 $7.76

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Harrisonville, MO

Evening in Harrisonville on Wednesday

Local time

7:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Joplin, MO

Evening in Joplin on Wednesday

Local time

7:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

73°F

Nevada, MO

61 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

17 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

2h 17m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Harrisonville, MO to Joplin, MO covers 121.2 miles and takes about 2h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 49, Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway, North Main Street Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.6 miles from Harrisonville, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.95 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 2h 17m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113 miles (I 49 Business; MO 171): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Harrisonville, MO to Joplin, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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