Road Trips from Joplin, MO
Heading out of Joplin? You've got options for quick escapes or longer drives. Several destinations are within a 3-hour radius, perfect for a day trip, and many include access to national parks. If you're looking for a slightly longer haul, there are also routes stretching up to 5.5 hours, offering more time on the road. Most trips feature a mix of highway and surface roads, with a few notable exceptions for a different driving experience. This list is geared towards road trippers who appreciate a good drive score and nearby natural attractions.
Total Routes
23
Shortest
3.9h
With Parks Nearby
23
Full-day getaway
California, MO
3h 57m197.6 mi one way
This 4-hour drive offers a high drive score of 10. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface roads on your way to California, MO. It's one of the longer day trip options, providing ample time to enjoy the route, and it passes by George Washington Carver National Monument and Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.
Saint Joseph, MO
3h 56m204.4 mi one way
Weekend trip
21 total in this range
Jefferson City, MO
4h205.3 mi one way
This 4-hour drive to Jefferson City, MO features a perfect drive score of 10 and a mixed highway and surface road profile. The terrain is mostly flat. You'll also find George Washington Carver National Monument and Wilson's Creek National Battlefield nearby, offering significant park opportunities.
Centralia, MO
5h 2m255.4 mi one way
A 5-hour drive with a drive score of 10, this trip to Centralia, MO uses mixed highway and surface roads. The terrain is mostly flat. This particular route does not list any nearby parks, making it a choice for those focused purely on the drive itself.
Kirksville, MO
6h 18m326.1 mi one way
Castor, MO
6h 13m304.3 mi one way
Malden, MO
5h 56m288.8 mi one way
This route to Malden, MO takes 5.9 hours, making it the longest option, and has a drive score of 9. It's characterized as mostly highway driving. You'll have opportunities to visit Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and George Washington Carver National Monument along the way.
Browse by Mood
California, MO
3h 57m197.6 mi one way
Jefferson City, MO
4h205.3 mi one way
Centralia, MO
5h 2m255.4 mi one way
Kirksville, MO
6h 18m326.1 mi one way
California, MO
3h 57m197.6 mi one way
Jefferson City, MO
4h205.3 mi one way
Kirksville, MO
6h 18m326.1 mi one way
Chillicothe, MO
4h 38m244.6 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring offers pleasant driving conditions for routes like the one to Belton, MO, with George Washington Carver National Monument providing early blooming scenery.
Summer
Longer drives to Columbia or Jefferson City, MO, are great in summer, allowing ample time to explore parks like Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.
Fall
The mixed highway and surface roads leading to Warrensburg, MO, are ideal for fall foliage viewing, especially near George Washington Carver National Monument.
Winter
Shorter trips like the drive to Buckner, MO, with its mixed road profile, are manageable in winter, though park access might be limited.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Joplin, MO city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.