Embark on a 274.5-mile journey from Concord to Joplin, Missouri, a trip that will take approximately 5 hours and 9 minutes. This drive is primarily on local roads, with a smaller highway share, suggesting a more relaxed pace. With a fuel cost estimated at $43, this route is budget-friendly for a single-day excursion. Given its duration and profile, this is a manageable day trip, allowing you to explore more of the Midwest region without needing an overnight stay. Plan for a single stop to break up the drive.
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
137.2 miles from Concord, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
259.5 mi
4h 41m
I 44 Business
8.5 mi
17m
I 270
3.8 mi
4m
Tesson Ferry Road
0.6 mi
1m
Concord Village Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Baptist Church Road
0.1 mi
<1m
South Main Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
— 259.5 mi, about 4h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Concord, MO and Joplin, MO.
1
Start on Concord Village Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·Concord Village Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto Baptist Church Road
0.1 mi·16 sec·Baptist Church Road
3
Turn slight right
165 ft·4 sec
Toward MO 21
4
Turn slight right onto MO 21
0.6 mi·1 min·Tesson Ferry Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·20 sec
Toward I 270 North
6
Merge onto I 270
3.8 mi·4 min·I 270
7
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 5BToward I 44 West, US 50 West: TulsaUse the right lane.
8
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·22 sec·this road
Exit 275Toward Soccer Park Road, North Highway Drive
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
Exit 5BToward I 44 West: Tulsa
10
Merge onto I 44; US 50
259 mi·4 hr 41 min·Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Turn right onto US Historic 66; MO 43
156 ft·7 sec·South Main Street
13
Turn right
60 ft·6 sec
14
Turn right
83 ft·6 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 9-minute drive, consider an early start to maximize your daylight hours, especially since it's a local road-heavy route. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to rest. Be mindful of the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile; keep your navigation handy and be prepared for frequent adjustments. The estimated fuel cost of $43 is relatively low, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to signage for the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, as it forms the longest uninterrupted stretch and will guide you for a significant portion of your journey.
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 137.2 miles from Concord, MO, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 259.5 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 60 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.2 miles or 2h 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 4h 7m
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 Concord, 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 Concord, MO
This is one driving day of about 274.5 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Concord, 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 259.5 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 265.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|Baptist Church Road
At end of road, turn left onto Baptist Church Road
Navigation decision point
8
5.1 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Tulsa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 5B
Toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Tulsa
7
6.3 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 44 West: Tulsa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 5B
Toward I 44 West: Tulsa
5
6.4 mi into trip|~10m in|I 44; US 50 / Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Merge onto I 44; US 50 / Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
265.9 mi into trip|~4h 52m 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
$42.91 one way
$85.83 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$47.12
$94.24
premium
$4.89
$52.83
$105.65
diesel
$5.61
$60.61
$121.21
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: 96 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.4
1
$28.82
$13.18
Efficient EV
68.6
0
$24.02
$10.98
EV Truck/SUV
109.8
1
$38.43
$17.57
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Concord, MO
Late night
in Concord on Sunday
Local time
1:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Joplin, MO
Late night
in Joplin on Sunday
Local time
1:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Waynesville, MO
137 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 9m 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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 217.7
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?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll encounter numerous intersections and changes in direction rather than long, uninterrupted highway stretches. With only a 4% highway share, expect to navigate a variety of local roads. The longest continuous segment you'll experience is 259.5 miles along the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor. This driving profile suggests a more engaging experience, where you'll be actively navigating through varied terrain and potentially smaller communities as you make your way from the Midwest to Joplin.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 259.5 mi on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Baptist Church Road.
Driving Effort5/10
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 274.5 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.3 miles (Baptist Church Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 274.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (4%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 259.5 miles on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Baptist Church Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 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.
