The drive from Joplin, MO to Crestwood, MO covers 271.7 miles and takes about 5h 5m 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, US Historic 66 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 260.6 miles on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.48 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
135.9 miles from Joplin, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 5m. Total distance: 271.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 5m drive with frequent turns across 271.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 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 260.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 5m drive. You will face about 6 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: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 7.7 miles (I 44 Business): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.3 miles (I 44; I 49; US 71 / Congressman Gene Taylor Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 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
4
7.7 mi into trip|~15m in|I 44 Business
Take the ramp onto I 44 Business toward I 44 East, I 49 North, US 71 North: Springfield, Kansas City
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 East, I 49 North, US 71 North: Spri...
5
8.3 mi into trip|~17m in|I 44; I 49; US 71 / Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Merge onto I 44; I 49; US 71 / Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
269 mi into trip|~5h in|US Historic 66
Take the exit onto US Historic 66 toward MO 366 East: Watson Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 277A
Toward MO 366 East: Watson Road
7
269.2 mi into trip|~5h in|US Historic 66
Keep slight right at fork onto US Historic 66 toward MO 366 East: Watson Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward MO 366 East: Watson Road
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
260.6 mi
4h 43m
East 7th Street
6.8 mi
14m
US Historic 66
2.7 mi
5m
Cimarron Road
0.9 mi
1m
I 44 Business
0.6 mi
1m
Watson Road
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
— 260.6 mi, about 4h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joplin, MO and Crestwood, 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
261 mi·4 hr 43 min·Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US Historic 66
0.3 mi·20 sec·US Historic 66
Exit 277AToward MO 366 East: Watson RoadUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US Historic 66
2.5 mi·4 min·US Historic 66
Toward MO 366 East: Watson RoadUse the slight right lane.
9
Arrive at destination
MO 366
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 135.9 miles from Joplin, MO, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 260.6 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 135.9 miles or 2h 35m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Crestwood, 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 271.7 miles and 5h 5m.
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 260.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 135.9 mi from Joplin, MO
· 2h 35m into the drive
The midpoint is around 135.9 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 260.6 miles.
Arriving in Crestwood, MO
The final approach into Crestwood, 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 Crestwood, 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
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...
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 65.6
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 271.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.48 one way
$84.95 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$46.64
$93.28
premium
$4.89
$52.29
$104.57
diesel
$5.61
$59.99
$119.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.5
1
$28.53
$13.04
Efficient EV
67.9
0
$23.77
$10.87
EV Truck/SUV
108.7
1
$38.04
$17.39
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% 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
Morning
in Joplin on Saturday
Local time
7:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Crestwood, MO
Morning
in Crestwood on Saturday
Local time
7:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Waynesville, MO
136 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 5m 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 Crestwood, MO covers 271.7 miles and takes about 5h 5m 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, US Historic 66. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 135.9 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 $42.48 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 5h 5m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 7.7 miles (I 44 Business): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.3 miles (I 44; I 49; US 71 / Congressman Gene Taylor Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Joplin, MO to Crestwood, 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
