This 272.2-mile journey from Des Peres, MO, to Joplin, MO, is a solid day trip, taking about 5 hours and 8 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, with some time on I-44 Business and Dougherty Ferry Road. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $41. Given its duration, it’s perfectly manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. This route stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout your 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
136.1 miles from Des Peres, 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
256.3 mi
4h 37m
I 44 Business
8.5 mi
17m
Dougherty Ferry Road
2.5 mi
4m
I 270
1.2 mi
1m
Forest Avenue
1 mi
2m
Manchester Road
0.8 mi
1m
MO 141
0.7 mi
1m
North Highway Drive
0.1 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 Des Peres, MO and Joplin, MO.
1
Start on MO 100
0.8 mi·1 min·Manchester Road
2
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 270 South
3
Merge onto I 270
1.2 mi·1 min·I 270
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 8Toward Dougherty Ferry RoadUse the slight right lane.
5
Turn right onto Dougherty Ferry Road
2.5 mi·4 min·Dougherty Ferry Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on Forest Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·Forest Avenue
7
Turn left onto MO 141
0.7 mi·1 min·MO 141
8
Take the exit
105 ft·3 sec
9
Turn right onto North Highway Drive
0.1 mi·14 sec·North Highway Drive
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·13 sec
Toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Rolla
11
Merge onto I 44; US 50
256 mi·4 hr 37 min·Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Use the straight lane.
12
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.
13
Turn right onto US Historic 66; MO 43
156 ft·7 sec·South Main Street
14
Turn right
60 ft·6 sec
15
Turn right
83 ft·6 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a 5-hour drive, you have the flexibility to leave when you're ready, but an early start will allow for a more relaxed pace. While there's only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the 256.3-mile stretch on the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor with a brief pause for fuel or a stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially on the longer local road segments, as stations might be less frequent than on interstates. This route is designed for a single day, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays.
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 136.1 miles from Des Peres, MO, or about 2h 32m 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 60 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.1 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 Des Peres, 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 Des Peres, MO
This is one driving day of about 272.2 miles and 5h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Des Peres, 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 272.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2.4 mi into trip|~3m 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
7.1 mi into trip|~12m 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
5
7.3 mi into trip|~13m 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 lane.
8
263.6 mi into trip|~4h 50m 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
5
272.2 mi into trip|~5h 8m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.20 one way
$80.40 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$44.38
$88.75
premium
$4.72
$50.54
$101.08
diesel
$4.80
$51.40
$102.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.7
1
$28.58
$13.07
Efficient EV
68.1
0
$23.82
$10.89
EV Truck/SUV
108.9
1
$38.11
$17.42
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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Des Peres, MO
Late night
in Des Peres on Sunday
Local time
5:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph4% 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
Late night
in Joplin on Sunday
Local time
5:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
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
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
1 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
5h 8m 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
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 262.8
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 206.5
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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with only about 4% of the journey on major highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 256.3 miles along the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor. This means you'll be engaging with local roads for the majority of your travel, experiencing a more varied driving experience than a typical interstate trip. The road's character will likely shift as you move through different towns and landscapes, keeping your attention.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 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?
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 2.4 miles in.
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 272.2 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 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles (I 44; US 50 / Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 8m. Total distance: 272.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 8m 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 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.
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 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles (I 44; US 50 / Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 5.1 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.
