Black Jack, MO to Joplin, MO is 293.1 miles and takes about 5h 35m via Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, I 44 Business, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest to Midwest trip stays within Missouri, offering a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a good option if you're looking for a direct route with minimal complexity. The majority of this route is on surface roads, so expect a more local feel compared to an interstate-only trip.
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
146.5 miles from Black Jack, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
256.3 mi
4h 37m
Rosemary Straub Davison Highway
21 mi
26m
I 44 Business
8.5 mi
17m
Dougherty Ferry Road
2.5 mi
4m
Forest Avenue
1 mi
2m
Old Halls Ferry Road
0.8 mi
1m
MO 141
0.7 mi
1m
Mehl Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
— 256.3 mi, about 4h 37m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,711 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,202
Quietest
2 AM
~187 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Black Jack, MO and Joplin, MO.
1
Start on Parker Road
392 ft·9 sec·Parker Road
2
Continue on Old Halls Ferry Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Old Halls Ferry Road
3
Turn right onto Mehl Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Mehl Avenue
4
Turn right onto Netherton Drive
394 ft·18 sec·Netherton Drive
5
Turn left onto MO AC
0.2 mi·19 sec·New Halls Ferry Road
Use the left / right lanes.
6
Turn sharp right onto Dunn Road
0.4 mi·53 sec·Dunn Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 270 West
8
Merge onto I 270
21 mi·26 min·Rosemary Straub Davison Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 8Toward Dougherty Ferry RoadUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn right onto Dougherty Ferry Road
2.5 mi·4 min·Dougherty Ferry Road
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on Forest Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·Forest Avenue
12
Turn left onto MO 141
0.7 mi·1 min·MO 141
13
Take the exit
105 ft·3 sec
14
Turn right onto North Highway Drive
0.1 mi·14 sec·North Highway Drive
15
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·13 sec
Toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Rolla
16
Merge onto I 44; US 50
256 mi·4 hr 37 min·Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit onto I 44 Business; MO 66
8.5 mi·17 min·I 44 Business; MO 66
Exit 15Toward I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, JoplinUse the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto US Historic 66; MO 43
156 ft·7 sec·South Main Street
19
Turn right
60 ft·6 sec
20
Turn right
83 ft·6 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 5.5-hour drive, leaving in the morning should give you plenty of time to reach Joplin before evening. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility in when you stop. With one recommended stop, consider breaking up the drive around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the longer surface road segments where stations might be less frequent than on major interstates. The $45 fuel estimate is a good baseline for planning your budget.
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 146.5 miles from Black Jack, MO, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 256.3 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 64 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.5 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 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 Black Jack, 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 Black Jack, MO
This is one driving day of about 293.1 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Black Jack, 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 Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor for about 256.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 284.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|MO AC / New Halls Ferry Road
Turn left onto MO AC / New Halls Ferry Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
5
2.4 mi into trip|~5m in|I 270 / Rosemary Straub Davison Highway
Merge onto I 270 / Rosemary Straub Davison Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
23.3 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward Dougherty Ferry Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 8
Toward Dougherty Ferry Road
5
28 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the ramp toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Rolla
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Rolla
8
284.5 mi into trip|~5h 18m in|I 44 Business; MO 66
Take the exit onto I 44 Business; MO 66 toward I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, Joplin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 15
Toward I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, Joplin
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.28 one way
$86.57 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$47.78
$95.57
premium
$4.72
$54.42
$108.84
diesel
$4.80
$55.34
$110.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.9
1
$30.78
$14.07
Efficient EV
73.3
0
$25.65
$11.72
EV Truck/SUV
117.2
1
$41.03
$18.76
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Black Jack, MO
Morning
in Black Jack on Sunday
Local time
10:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
W 3 to 8 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Joplin, MO
Morning
in Joplin on Sunday
Local time
10:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
89°F
Cuba, MO
147 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
15 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
5h 35m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
George Washington Carver National Monument
National Monument
The young child known as the "Plant Doctor" tended his secret garden while observing the day-to-day operations of a 19th century farm. Nature and nurture ultimately influenced George on his quest for...
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 232.4
Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, with only a 33% highway share. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 256.3 miles on the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor. After that, you'll transition to the Rosemary Straub Davison Highway and I 44 Business. Expect more frequent intersections and lower speed limits as you move away from the highway sections.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 256.3 mi on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near MO AC / New Halls Ferry Road.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 293.1 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (MO AC / New Halls Ferry Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles (I 270 / Rosemary Straub Davison Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Joplin is in Southwest Missouri. It's mentioned in the song "Route 66". Joplin is the "hub" of the southwest corner of Missouri, southeast Kansas, and northeast Oklahoma. The population of Joplin in 2020 was 51,762, but, with several "suburbs" around Joplin, the population of the Joplin metro area was over 210,077.
Top landmarks
•Bonnie & Clyde Garage Apartment — house in Joplin, United States of America
•Joplin Downtown Historic District — building in Missouri, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 35m. Total distance: 293.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 256.3 miles on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Joplin, MO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (MO AC / New Halls Ferry Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles (I 270 / Rosemary Straub Davison Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — George Washington Carver National Monument, Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Joplin, MO before the return drive.
