Origin
Harrisonville, MO
Evening in Harrisonville on Wednesday
Local time
7:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Harrisonville, MO
Tom Fisk
Joplin, MO
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward I 49 South, US 71 South, MO 7 South: Joplin
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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
Enter roundabout onto I 49 Business; MO 171 / East MacArthur Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn right
Navigation decision point
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisonville, MO and Joplin, MO.
Start on South Independence Street
Turn left onto South Commercial Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 49; US 71; MO 7
Take the exit
Turn right onto I 49 Business; MO 96; MO 171
Keep slight right at fork onto I 49 Business; MO 171
Enter roundabout onto I 49 Business; MO 171
Continue on I 49 Business; MO 171
Continue on MO 171
Enter roundabout onto MO 43
Continue on MO 43
Turn left
Turn right
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before I 49 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.7 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
$18.95 one way
$37.90 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Harrisonville on Wednesday
Local time
7:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Joplin on Wednesday
Local time
7:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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