Origin
Sunset Hills, MO
Late night in Sunset Hills on Thursday
Local time
3:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sunset Hills, MO to Joplin, MO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 13m
Distance
271.6 mi
437 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 0m
★
6 AM
4h 13m
8 AM
4h 39m
10 AM
4h 22m
12 PM
4h 20m
3 PM
4h 24m
5 PM
4h 38m
8 PM
4h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Joplin, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Sunset Hills, MO to Joplin, MO covers 271.6 miles and takes about 4h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Robyn Road, Rott Road, South Geyer Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.46 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
135.8 miles from Sunset Hills, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 13m. Total distance: 271.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 13m drive with frequent turns across 271.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Robyn Road 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 13m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Sunset Hills, MO to Joplin, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Robyn Road | — | — |
| Rott Road | — | — |
| South Geyer Road | — | — |
| I 44 West | — | — |
| Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor | — | — |
| I 44 | — | — |
| South Main Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Robyn Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sunset Hills, MO and Joplin, MO.
1
Start on Robyn Hills Drive
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
Robyn Hills Drive
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Robyn Road
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Robyn Road
3
Continue on Rott Road
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Rott Road
4
Turn left onto South Geyer Road
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
South Geyer Road
5
Take the ramp left toward I 44 West, I 270, US 50 West: Tulsa, Chicago, Memphis
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 44 West, I 270, US 50 West: Tulsa, Chicago, Memphis
6
Keep slight left to continue on I 44 West, US 50 West: Tulsa
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
I 44 West, US 50 West: Tulsa
7
Merge slight left onto Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
261 mi
·
4 hr 43 min
·
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
8
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
9
Turn right onto South Main Street
157 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Main Street
10
Turn right
59 ft
·
7 sec
11
Turn right
82 ft
·
6 sec
12
Arrive at your 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 135.8 miles from Sunset Hills, MO, or about 2h 6m 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 60 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.8 miles or 2h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 27m
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 Sunset Hills, 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 Sunset Hills, MO
This is one driving day of about 271.6 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Sunset Hills, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 135.8 mi from Sunset Hills, MO · 2h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 135.8 miles from Sunset Hills, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Joplin, MO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.46 one way
$84.92 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $46.62 | $93.24 |
| premium | $4.89 | $52.27 | $104.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.97 | $119.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.5 | 1 | $28.52 | $13.04 |
| Efficient EV | 67.9 | 0 | $23.77 | $10.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.6 | 1 | $38.02 | $17.38 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Joplin, MO
Late night in Joplin on Thursday
Local time
3:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Waynesville, MO
136 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
22 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
4h 13m 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 Sunset Hills, MO to Joplin, MO covers 271.6 miles and takes about 4h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Robyn Road, Rott Road, South Geyer Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 135.8 miles from Sunset Hills, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.46 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 straightforward 4h 13m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Sunset Hills, MO to Joplin, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Sunset Hills, MO to Joplin, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Joplin, MO
Explore more options from Sunset Hills, MO or browse trips ending in Joplin, MO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.
Explore maps for Sunset Hills, MO or Joplin, MO on MapSof.net.