The drive from Joplin, MO to Richmond, MO covers 194.1 miles and takes about 3h 45m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Purple Heart Trail, MO 210, I 435 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 116.2 miles on Purple Heart Trail.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.82 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
97 miles from Joplin, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 194.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 45m drive with frequent turns across 194.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Purple Heart Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 116.2 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,004 ft719 ft
Total Climb
482 ft
Total Descent
659 ft
Highest Point
1,004 ft
Elevation Range
284 ft
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 Effort6/10
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 194.1 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: Navigation decision point; at 14.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
8
14.9 mi into trip|~22m in
Turn left toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
6
145 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 435 North: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 435 North: Des Moines
5
145.3 mi into trip|~2h 43m in|I 435
Merge onto I 435
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
161.2 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward MO 210: North Kansas City, Richmond
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 55
Toward MO 210: North Kansas City, Richmond
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.2
0
$20.38
$9.32
Efficient EV
48.5
0
$16.98
$7.76
EV Truck/SUV
77.6
0
$27.17
$12.42
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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.
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
9:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Richmond, MO
Morning
in Richmond on Saturday
Local time
9:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Garden City, MO
97 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
4 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
3h 45m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Joplin, MO to Richmond, MO covers 194.1 miles and takes about 3h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, MO 210, I 435. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 97 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 $28.82 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 194.1 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: Navigation decision point; at 14.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Joplin, MO to Richmond, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 719 ft to 1,004 ft elevation with about 482 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include George Washington Carver National Monument.
