Drive Time
6h 45m
Distance
326.8 mi
526 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
Photo: Renegade Lenz
The drive from Joplin, MO to Caruthersville, MO covers 326.8 miles and takes about 6h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East 7th Street, Cimarron Road, I 44 East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.64 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
163.4 miles from Joplin, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 22m into the drive .
Expect a 6h 45m drive with frequent turns across 326.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
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.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 45m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Joplin, MO to Caruthersville, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East 7th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Cimarron Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 44 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Congressman Gene Taylor Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MO 360 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| James River Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 60 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Westwood Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Joplin, MO and Caruthersville, MO.
Start on the route
At the end of the road, turn right
Turn left onto East 7th Street
Continue on Cimarron Road
Take the ramp slight right toward I 44 East, I 49 North, US 71 North: Springfield, Kansas City
Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Take the exit slight right toward MO 360 East
Continue on James River Freeway
Continue straight
Keep slight left to continue on US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
Keep slight right
Turn straight onto North Westwood Boulevard
Continue on State Street
Continue on North Westwood Boulevard
Turn slight left
Turn slight left
At the end of the road, turn right
Turn left onto 1st Street
Take the exit slight right toward MO U: Caruthersville
Turn left onto State Hwy U
Continue straight
Continue straight
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Ward Avenue
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
Turn left
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 80 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163.4 miles or 3h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Caruthersville, MO than in the middle of the route.
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 326.8 miles and 6h 45m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 163.4 mi from Joplin, MO · 3h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
163 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 163.4 miles from Joplin, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Caruthersville, 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 Caruthersville, MO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$49.64 one way
$99.28 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $54.72 | $109.44 |
| premium | $4.80 | $61.69 | $123.39 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $72.60 | $145.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 98 | 1 | $34.31 | $15.69 |
| Efficient EV | 81.7 | 0 | $28.60 | $13.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 130.7 | 1 | $45.75 | $20.92 |
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Joplin on Sunday
Local time
7:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Caruthersville on Sunday
Local time
7:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
81°F
Bono, AR
163 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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