The drive from Joplin, MO to Old Jamestown, MO covers 294.7 miles and takes about 5h 39m 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, I 270, East 7th Street 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 $46.07 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
147.3 miles from Joplin, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 294.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 39m drive with frequent turns across 294.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 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. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 294.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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
8
268.9 mi into trip|~5h in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 North: Chicago
7
288.3 mi into trip|~5h 25m in
Take the exit toward US 67
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 25
Toward US 67
6
288.6 mi into trip|~5h 25m in|US 67 / North Lindbergh Boulevard
Turn left onto US 67 / North Lindbergh Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Joplin, MO to Old Jamestown, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Memphis
268.7 mi in|~5h
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
260.4 mi
4h 42m
I 270
18.8 mi
23m
East 7th Street
6.8 mi
14m
Patterson Road
2.3 mi
5m
North Lindbergh Boulevard
2.1 mi
4m
Vaile Ave
1.1 mi
2m
Cimarron Road
0.9 mi
1m
I 44 Business
0.6 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 Old Jamestown, 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 276Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·11 sec
Toward I 270 North: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
9
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·52 sec·this road
Exit 276Toward I 270 North: Chicago
10
Merge onto I 270
19 mi·23 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 25Toward US 67Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto US 67
2.1 mi·4 min·North Lindbergh Boulevard
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto Patterson Road
2.3 mi·5 min·Patterson Road
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on Vaile Ave
1.1 mi·2 min·Vaile Ave
15
Enter roundabout onto Old Halls Ferry Road
19 ft·0 sec·Old Halls Ferry Road
16
Continue on Old Halls Ferry Road
0.3 mi·37 sec·Old Halls Ferry Road
17
Turn left
169 ft·12 sec
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·1 min
19
Arrive at destination
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 147.3 miles from Joplin, MO, or about 2h 48m 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 65 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.3 miles or 2h 48m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Old Jamestown, 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 294.7 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 147.3 mi from Joplin, MO
· 2h 48m into the drive
The midpoint is around 147.3 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 Old Jamestown, MO
The final approach into Old Jamestown, 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 Old Jamestown, 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 10.2
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...
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$19
near mile 274.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.07 one way
$92.15 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$50.59
$101.17
premium
$4.89
$56.71
$113.42
diesel
$5.61
$65.07
$130.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.4
1
$30.94
$14.15
Efficient EV
73.7
0
$25.79
$11.79
EV Truck/SUV
117.9
1
$41.26
$18.86
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 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
Afternoon
in Joplin on Thursday
Local time
1:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Old Jamestown, MO
Afternoon
in Old Jamestown on Thursday
Local time
1:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Waynesville, MO
147 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
23 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 39m 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 Old Jamestown, MO covers 294.7 miles and takes about 5h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Congressman Gene Taylor Highway, I 270, East 7th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 147.3 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 $46.07 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 demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 294.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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.
On the drive from Joplin, MO to Old Jamestown, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include George Washington Carver National Monument, Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and Gateway Arch National Park.
