Origin
Lebanon, MO
Afternoon in Lebanon on Wednesday
Local time
4:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lebanon, MO to Joplin, MO
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
1h 56m
Distance
122.7 mi
197 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 48m
★
6 AM
1h 56m
8 AM
2h 13m
10 AM
2h 2m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 3m
5 PM
2h 13m
8 PM
1h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lebanon, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Joplin, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Lebanon, MO to Joplin, MO covers 122.7 miles and takes about 1h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Jefferson Avenue, I 44 West, I 44 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.18 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
61.3 miles from Lebanon, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 56m drive with frequent turns across 122.7 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.
South Jefferson Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Lebanon, MO to Joplin, MO is easy. At 1h 56m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Lebanon, MO to Joplin, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Jefferson Avenue | — | — |
| I 44 West | — | — |
| I 44 | — | — |
| South Main Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
South Jefferson Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lebanon, MO and Joplin, MO.
1
Start on East Commercial Street
16 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Commercial Street
2
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jefferson Avenue
3
Take the exit right toward I 44 West: Springfield
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
I 44 West: Springfield
4
Merge slight left
113 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, Joplin
8.6 mi
·
17 min
·
I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, Joplin
6
Turn right onto South Main Street
157 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Main Street
7
Turn right
59 ft
·
7 sec
8
Turn right
82 ft
·
6 sec
9
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 61.3 miles from Lebanon, MO, or about 58m into the drive.
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 27 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.3 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Joplin, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lebanon, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lebanon, MO
This is one driving day of about 122.7 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Lebanon, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.3 mi from Lebanon, MO · 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.3 miles from Lebanon, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Joplin, MO
The final approach into Joplin, MO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.18 one way
$38.37 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.06 | $42.12 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.61 | $47.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.09 | $54.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.8 | 0 | $12.88 | $5.89 |
| Efficient EV | 30.7 | 0 | $10.74 | $4.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.1 | 0 | $17.18 | $7.85 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Joplin, MO
Afternoon in Joplin on Wednesday
Local time
4:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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
1h 56m 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 Lebanon, MO to Joplin, MO covers 122.7 miles and takes about 1h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Jefferson Avenue, I 44 West, I 44. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.3 miles from Lebanon, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.18 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Lebanon, MO to Joplin, MO is easy. At 1h 56m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Lebanon, MO to Joplin, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Lebanon, MO to Joplin, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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