Origin
Joplin, MO
Morning in Joplin on Friday
Local time
11:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Joplin, MO to Oakville, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 14m
Distance
278.6 mi
448 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 1m
★
6 AM
5h 15m
8 AM
5h 42m
10 AM
5h 24m
12 PM
5h 21m
3 PM
5h 25m
5 PM
5h 40m
8 PM
5h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Joplin, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Oakville, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 278.6-mile drive from Joplin to Oakville, Missouri, is designed for a single day, taking about 5 hours and 14 minutes to complete. You'll navigate a mix of local roads and Interstate 270, with a significant portion on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway. Plan for a fuel cost of around $44 for this journey through the Midwest. The route offers a practical way to travel within the state, with one recommended stop. It's a manageable trip that allows for flexibility in your schedule.
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
139.3 miles from Joplin, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 14m. Total distance: 278.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (3%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for much of this 278.6-mile trip. While I-270 accounts for some of your travel, the majority of the route involves local roads and highways like Congressman Gene Taylor Highway, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch at 260.4 miles. This means you'll experience a more varied driving experience compared to a pure interstate journey, with more opportunities to observe the local landscape and potentially navigate through towns. The highway share is about 3%, indicating a strong emphasis on non-interstate travel.
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 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 278.6 miles you will encounter 11 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 8.3 miles (I 44; I 49; US 71 / Congressman Gene Taylor Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 268.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese 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
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.
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
276.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 10m in
Take the exit toward MO 231: Telegraph Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2
Toward MO 231: Telegraph Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Congressman Gene Taylor Highway | 260.4 mi | 4h 42m |
| East 7th Street | 6.8 mi | 14m |
| I 270 | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| I 255 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Telegraph Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Cimarron Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| I 44 Business | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Cliff Cave 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 Oakville, 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
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
I 270
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 255
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 255
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 2
Toward MO 231: Telegraph Road
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto MO 231
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Telegraph Road
13
Turn left onto Cliff Cave Road
292 ft
·
15 sec
·
Cliff Cave Road
14
Turn right
130 ft
·
11 sec
15
Turn right
120 ft
·
8 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 14-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Joplin to maximize your daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this 278.6-mile trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the long stretch on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway, as services might be more spread out. The $44 fuel cost is an estimate, so be prepared for slight variations. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, staying alert for navigation changes will be key to a smooth journey.
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 139.3 miles from Joplin, MO, or about 2h 39m 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 61 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.3 miles or 2h 39m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oakville, 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 278.6 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 139.3 mi from Joplin, MO · 2h 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.3 miles from Joplin, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Congressman Gene Taylor Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 260.4 miles.
Arriving in Oakville, MO
The final approach into Oakville, 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 Oakville, 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
$43.56 one way
$87.11 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $47.82 | $95.65 |
| premium | $4.89 | $53.61 | $107.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.51 | $123.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.5 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 | 83.6 | 1 | $29.25 | $13.37 |
| Efficient EV | 69.7 | 0 | $24.38 | $11.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.4 | 1 | $39.00 | $17.83 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Destination
Oakville, MO
Morning in Oakville on Friday
Local time
11:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Cuba, MO
139 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
26 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
5h 14m 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 Oakville, MO covers 278.6 miles and takes about 5h 14m 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 139.3 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 $43.56 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 278.6 miles you will encounter 11 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 8.3 miles (I 44; I 49; US 71 / Congressman Gene Taylor Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 268.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Joplin, MO to Oakville, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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