Cottleville to Joplin is 274.7 miles and takes about 5h 20m via I 44, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, connecting two points in the Midwest. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making for a straightforward trip. With a duration under six hours, this route is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your departure time.
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
137.3 miles from Cottleville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
237.3 mi
4h 16m
MO 100
13.3 mi
18m
I 44 Business
8.5 mi
17m
MO 109
4.7 mi
7m
North Eatherton Road
2.4 mi
4m
Avenue of the Saints
1.6 mi
1m
MO 94
1.4 mi
2m
Motherhead Road
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 237.3 mi, about 4h 16m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,432 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,709
Quietest
2 AM
~177 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.1×
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 Cottleville, MO and Joplin, MO.
1
Start on Main Street
87 ft·5 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto Oak Street
186 ft·9 sec·Oak Street
3
Turn right onto MO N
428 ft·14 sec·MO N
4
Continue on Motherhead Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Motherhead Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
At end of road, turn right onto Westwood Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·Westwood Drive
6
Take the ramp
219 ft·7 sec
7
Merge onto MO 94
1.4 mi·2 min·MO 94
8
Turn left onto Siedentop Road
0.3 mi·39 sec·Siedentop Road
Use the left lane.
9
At end of road, turn left onto Technology Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Technology Drive
10
Enter roundabout onto Technology Drive
234 ft·5 sec·Technology Drive
11
Continue on Technology Drive
0.1 mi·20 sec·Technology Drive
12
Turn right onto Research Park Circle
496 ft·13 sec·Research Park Circle
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South
14
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
1.6 mi·1 min·Avenue of the Saints
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·57 sec
Exit 14Toward Chesterfield Airport RoadUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on Chesterfield Airport Road
361 ft·6 sec·Chesterfield Airport Road
17
Turn right
211 ft·5 sec
Toward Olive Street Road
18
Turn right onto Olive Street Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Olive Street Road
19
Continue on North Eatherton Road
2.4 mi·4 min·North Eatherton Road
20
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
70 ft·1 sec·MO 109
21
Continue on MO 109
4.3 mi·6 min·MO 109
22
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
94 ft·2 sec·MO 109
23
Continue on MO 109
0.4 mi·44 sec·MO 109
24
Enter roundabout
76 ft·1 sec
Toward MO 100 West: Gray Summit
25
Continue
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward MO 100 West: Gray Summit
26
Merge onto MO 100
13 mi·18 min·MO 100
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 44 West, US 50 West: St. Clair
28
Merge onto I 44; US 50
237 mi·4 hr 16 min·I 44; US 50
Use the straight lane.
29
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.
30
Turn right onto US Historic 66; MO 43
156 ft·7 sec·South Main Street
31
Turn right
60 ft·6 sec
32
Turn right
83 ft·6 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 20m drive time, it's best to depart Cottleville in the morning to ensure a comfortable arrival in Joplin with plenty of daylight remaining. The route has only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically along the main interstate sections. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest continuous stretch is nearly 240 miles, and it's wise to refuel before reaching that point. This single-day drive offers flexibility; if you encounter delays, you still have ample time to reach your destination.
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 137.3 miles from Cottleville, MO, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237.3 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 60 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.3 miles or 2h 43m 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 18m
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 Cottleville, 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 Cottleville, MO
This is one driving day of about 274.7 miles and 5h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Cottleville, 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 44 for about 237.3 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 266.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Oak Street
Turn right onto Oak Street
Navigation decision point
5
3.4 mi into trip|~7m in|Siedentop Road
Turn left onto Siedentop Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
4.5 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the ramp toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South
7
6.3 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward Chesterfield Airport Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 14
Toward Chesterfield Airport Road
8
266.1 mi into trip|~5h 2m 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
$40.57 one way
$81.13 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$44.78
$89.57
premium
$4.72
$51.00
$102.01
diesel
$4.80
$51.87
$103.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.4
1
$28.84
$13.19
Efficient EV
68.7
0
$24.04
$10.99
EV Truck/SUV
109.9
1
$38.46
$17.58
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Cottleville, MO
Morning
in Cottleville on Sunday
Local time
9:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Clear
SW 6 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 10:48PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 8:35PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Joplin, MO
Morning
in Joplin on Sunday
Local time
9:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
S 8 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 10:48PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 8:35PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
89°F
Cuba, 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 20m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 265.2
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 217.8
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 trip is predominantly highway cruising, with 97% of the route on interstates. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 237.3 miles on I 44. After this, you'll transition to MO 100 and then I 44 Business, which will introduce more local traffic and exits as you approach Joplin.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 237.3 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and MO 100. You will hit about 25 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Oak Street.
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 274.7 miles you will encounter 25 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: near the start (Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (Siedentop Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 20m. Total distance: 274.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 237.3 miles on I 44. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (Siedentop Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 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.
