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Trip from Joplin, MO to Concord, MO

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

5h 8m

Distance

274 mi

441 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 40 min
4 AM
4h 55m ★
6 AM
5h 8m
8 AM
5h 35m
10 AM
5h 18m
12 PM
5h 15m
3 PM
5h 19m
5 PM
5h 34m
8 PM
5h 0m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in southern Jasper County and northern Newton County, Missouri, USA

Joplin, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Concord, MO, MO

Concord, MO

Anna Guerrero

Trip Overview

The drive from Joplin, MO to Concord, MO covers 274 miles and takes about 5h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway, East 7th Street, I 270 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 260.4 miles on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.84 one way before food or hotel costs.

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 miles from Joplin, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 8m. Total distance: 274 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 5h 8m drive with frequent turns across 274 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 260.4 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 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 268.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 268.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in

At end of road, turn right

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

8
268.7 mi into trip | ~5h in

Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 276 Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
7
268.9 mi into trip | ~5h in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South: Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 270 South: Memphis
7
272.6 mi into trip | ~5h 5m in

Take the exit toward MO 21: Tesson Ferry Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 2 Toward MO 21: Tesson Ferry Road
8
272.8 mi into trip | ~5h 5m in

Keep slight left at fork toward MO 21 North: Tesson Ferry Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward MO 21 North: Tesson Ferry Road

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway 260.4 mi 4h 42m
East 7th Street 6.8 mi 14m
I 270 3.4 mi 4m
Cimarron Road 0.9 mi 1m
Tesson Ferry Road 0.7 mi 1m
I 44 Business 0.6 mi 1m
Concord Village Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
Baptist Church Road 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Congressman Gene Taylor Highway — 260.4 mi, about 4h 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

219 ft · 18 sec · this road
2

At end of road, turn right

193 ft · 19 sec
3

Turn left onto I 44 Business; MO 66

6.8 mi · 14 min · East 7th Street
4

Continue on I 44 Business; MO 66

0.9 mi · 1 min · Cimarron Road
5

Take the ramp onto I 44 Business

0.6 mi · 1 min · I 44 Business
Toward I 44 East, I 49 North, US 71 North: Springfield, Kansas City
6

Merge onto I 44; I 49; US 71

260 mi · 4 hr 42 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Exit 276 Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 39 sec
Toward I 270 South: Memphis Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto I 270

3.4 mi · 4 min · I 270
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Exit 2 Toward MO 21: Tesson Ferry Road Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

235 ft · 7 sec
Toward MO 21 North: Tesson Ferry Road Use the left lane.
12

Turn left

119 ft · 2 sec
Exit 2 Toward MO 21
13

Merge onto MO 21

0.7 mi · 1 min · Tesson Ferry Road
14

Turn left onto Baptist Church Road

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Baptist Church Road
15

Turn right onto Concord Village Avenue

0.3 mi · 44 sec · Concord Village Avenue
16

Arrive at destination

Concord Village Avenue

Trip Plan

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 miles from Joplin, MO, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 260.4 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 13m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 137 miles or 2h 37m 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 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Concord, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Joplin, 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 Joplin, MO

This is one driving day of about 274 miles and 5h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Joplin, 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 Congressman Gene Taylor Highway for about 260.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 137 mi from Joplin, MO · 2h 37m 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

Marshfield, 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 miles from Joplin, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Congressman Gene Taylor Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 260.4 miles.

Arriving in Concord, MO

The final approach into Concord, 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 Concord, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

George Washington Carver National Monument

George Washington Carver National Monument

National Monument

The young child known as the "Plant Doctor" tended his secret garden while observing the day-to-day operations of a 19th century farm. Nature and nurture ultimately influenced George on his quest for...

7 mi from route ~16 min detour Free near mile 9.4
View on nps.gov
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

National Battlefield

Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 66.1
View on nps.gov
Gateway Arch National Park

Gateway Arch National Park

National Park

Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...

11 mi from route ~29 min detour $19 near mile 274
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.84 one way

$85.67 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 96 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $47.03 $94.07
premium $4.89 $52.73 $105.46
diesel $5.61 $60.50 $120.99

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: 95.9 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 82.2 1 $28.77 $13.15
Efficient EV 68.5 0 $23.97 $10.96
EV Truck/SUV 109.6 1 $38.36 $17.54

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 15, 2026

Origin

Joplin, MO

Night in Joplin on Thursday

Local time

11:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Concord, MO

Night in Concord 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 8m 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 Joplin, MO to Concord, MO covers 274 miles and takes about 5h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Congressman Gene Taylor Highway, East 7th Street, I 270. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 137 miles from Joplin, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.84 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 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 268.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 268.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Joplin, MO to Concord, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include George Washington Carver National Monument, Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and Gateway Arch National Park.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Concord, MO to Joplin, MO

Plan the drive back the other way.

274.5 mi 5h 9m

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