Origin
Pleasant Valley, MO
Afternoon in Pleasant Valley on Sunday
Local time
4:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pleasant Valley, MO to Joplin, MO
Drive Time
3h 8m
Distance
166.2 mi
267 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 57m
★
6 AM
3h 9m
8 AM
3h 32m
10 AM
3h 17m
12 PM
3h 15m
3 PM
3h 18m
5 PM
3h 31m
8 PM
3h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pleasant Valley, MO
Q. Hưng Phạm
Joplin, MO
Miloš Steklý
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Pleasant Valley to Joplin, expect a straightforward 166.2-mile journey through Missouri. Clocking in at approximately 3 hours and 8 minutes, this drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via I-435, the Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway, and I-49. With fuel costs estimated at around $25, it is a budget-friendly way to traverse the Midwest. Since the entire trip stays within the same region, you won't encounter major climate or landscape shifts, making it a reliable choice for travelers who prefer consistent, predictable road conditions.
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
83.1 miles from Pleasant Valley, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused route is defined by efficiency, with 85% of your travel taking place on major interstates. You will settle into a steady rhythm on I-49, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 129.8 miles. While the drive is largely a functional interstate grind, the transition from the Kansas City metropolitan area into the more open stretches of Missouri keeps the pace brisk. Expect a consistent, high-speed experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours. It is an ideal path for those looking to cover ground quickly without the need for technical maneuvering.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 49 is the longest continuous segment at about 129.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and I 435. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.5 miles in near I 435 / Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 166.2 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: at 11.5 miles (I 435 / Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
11.5 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
I 435 / Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 435 / Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway toward I 435 South: Wichita
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 435 South: Wichita
8
20.3 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Take the exit toward I 49 South, US 71 South, I 470 East, US 50 East: Joplin, Lee's Summit
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 71
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South, I 470 East, US...
8
21 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 49, I 470, US 50 East, US 71 South: Joplin, Lee's Summit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 49, I 470, US 50 East, US 71 South: Jo...
9
21.1 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
6
151.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
Take the exit toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 53
Toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 1...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Pleasant Valley, MO to Joplin, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Lee's Summit along the way.
Lee's Summit
20.3 mi in
|
~24m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 49 | 129.8 mi | 2h 19m |
| I 435 | 9.5 mi | 11m |
| Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| North Main Street Road | 4.1 mi | 8m |
| West Macarthur Drive | 2 mi | 3m |
| I 49 Business | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| East MacArthur Drive | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 49
— 129.8 mi, about 2h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pleasant Valley, MO and Joplin, MO.
1
Start on Northeast Pleasant Valley Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Pleasant Valley Road
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
3
Merge onto I 35; MO 110
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
4
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 12
Toward I 435 South: Saint Louis
5
Merge onto I 435
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
I 435
Use the none lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 435
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
Toward I 435 South: Wichita
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 71
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South, I 470 East, US 50 East: Joplin, Lee's Summit
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
Toward I 49, I 470, US 50 East, US 71 South: Joplin, Lee's Summit
Use the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
Use the none lane.
10
Merge onto I 49; US 71
130 mi
·
2 hr 19 min
·
I 49; US 71
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 53
Toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
12
Turn right onto I 49 Business; MO 96; MO 171
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 49 Business; MO 171
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 49 Business; MO 171
Toward I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
14
Enter roundabout onto I 49 Business; MO 171
235 ft
·
3 sec
·
East MacArthur Drive
15
Continue on I 49 Business; MO 171
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East MacArthur Drive
16
Continue on MO 171
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
West Macarthur Drive
17
Enter roundabout onto MO 43
254 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Main Street Road
18
Continue on MO 43
4.0 mi
·
8 min
·
North Main Street Road
19
Turn left
60 ft
·
6 sec
20
Turn right
83 ft
·
6 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While the route is manageable in one go, building in at least one stop will help you stay fresh behind the wheel for the duration of the 3-hour trip. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving the more populated areas near Pleasant Valley, as you will spend the vast majority of your time on the open interstate. Since you are spending nearly 130 miles on I-49, try to time your departure to avoid peak commuter traffic in the Kansas City area to ensure a smoother transition to the highway.
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 83.1 miles from Pleasant Valley, MO, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.8 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.1 miles or 1h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 30m
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 Pleasant Valley, 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 Pleasant Valley, MO
This is one driving day of about 166.2 miles and 3h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pleasant Valley, 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 I 49 for about 129.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.1 mi from Pleasant Valley, MO · 1h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.1 miles from Pleasant Valley, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 49 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.8 miles.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Joplin, 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
$25.24 one way
$50.49 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $27.83 | $55.66 |
| premium | $4.80 | $31.38 | $62.75 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $36.92 | $73.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.9 | 0 | $17.45 | $7.98 |
| Efficient EV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.54 | $6.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.5 | 0 | $23.27 | $10.64 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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 Sunday
Local time
4:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
54°F
Nevada, MO
83 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
3 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
3h 8m 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 Pleasant Valley, MO to Joplin, MO covers 166.2 miles and takes about 3h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 49, I 435, Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.1 miles from Pleasant Valley, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.24 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 is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 166.2 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: at 11.5 miles (I 435 / Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Pleasant Valley, MO to Joplin, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Lee's Summit along the way.
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