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Trip from Excelsior Springs, MO to Joplin, MO

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 31m

Distance

182.9 mi

294 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Good

5 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 19m ★
6 AM
3h 31m
8 AM
3h 56m
10 AM
3h 40m
12 PM
3h 37m
3 PM
3h 41m
5 PM
3h 54m
8 PM
3h 24m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Clay County, Missouri, United States

Excelsior Springs, MO

Wikimedia Commons

city in southern Jasper County and northern Newton County, Missouri, USA

Joplin, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 183.2-mile journey from Excelsior Springs to Joplin, Missouri, will take you approximately 2 hours and 51 minutes to complete. Designed as a single-day trip, it's a straightforward drive that shouldn't require an overnight stop. You'll navigate primarily via local roads, including Saint Louis Avenue, Sycamore Street, and Kearney Road, with no interstate highways involved. Budget around $28 for fuel, and plan for just one main stop along the way. This route offers a practical way to travel within the Midwest region of Missouri.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

91.5 miles from Excelsior Springs, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 49 129.8 mi 2h 19m
US 69 15.8 mi 19m
I 435 9.5 mi 11m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway 8.9 mi 10m
Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway 6.6 mi 7m
North Main Street Road 4.1 mi 8m
West Macarthur Drive 2 mi 3m
I 49 Business 1.1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 49 — 129.8 mi, about 2h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Excelsior Springs, MO and Joplin, MO.

1

Start on South Thompson Avenue

105 ft · 11 sec · South Thompson Avenue
2

Turn sharp right onto MO 10

136 ft · 7 sec · Saint Louis Avenue
3

Continue on MO 10

0.3 mi · 54 sec · Saint Louis Avenue
4

Turn right onto MO 10

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Sycamore Street
5

Turn slight left onto MO 10

0.9 mi · 2 min · Kearney Road
6

Continue on MO 10

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Jesse James Road
7

Continue on US 69

16 mi · 19 min · US 69
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 12 Toward I 435 South: Saint Louis
9

Merge onto I 435

9.5 mi · 11 min · I 435
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 435

8.9 mi · 10 min · Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
Toward I 435 South: Wichita Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 45 sec
Exit 71 Toward I 49 South, US 71 South, I 470 East, US 50 East: Joplin, Lee's Summit Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 12 sec
Toward I 49, I 470, US 50 East, US 71 South: Joplin, Lee's Summit Use the slight left lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
14

Merge onto I 49; US 71

130 mi · 2 hr 19 min · I 49; US 71
15

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 53 Toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
16

Turn right onto I 49 Business; MO 96; MO 171

6.6 mi · 7 min · Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 49 Business; MO 171

1.1 mi · 1 min · I 49 Business; MO 171
Toward I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
18

Enter roundabout onto I 49 Business; MO 171

235 ft · 3 sec · East MacArthur Drive
19

Continue on I 49 Business; MO 171

0.9 mi · 1 min · East MacArthur Drive
20

Continue on MO 171

2.0 mi · 3 min · West Macarthur Drive
21

Enter roundabout onto MO 43

254 ft · 6 sec · North Main Street Road
22

Continue on MO 43

4.0 mi · 8 min · North Main Street Road
23

Turn left

60 ft · 6 sec
24

Turn right

83 ft · 6 sec
25

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under three hours, this drive is best tackled in one go. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and arrive in Joplin with plenty of time. With only one recommended stop on the itinerary, you have flexibility to take breaks as needed, perhaps in a town along Saint Louis Avenue or Kearney Road. Since this is a local road experience with no highway segments, be mindful of varying speed limits and potential traffic signals throughout the 183.2 miles. Your fuel cost is estimated at $28, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Excelsior Springs.

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 91.5 miles from Excelsior Springs, MO, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.8 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 40 miles or 50m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 91.5 miles or 1h 46m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 49m

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 Excelsior Springs, 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 Excelsior Springs, MO

This is one driving day of about 182.9 miles and 3h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Excelsior Springs, 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 49 for about 129.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Nevada, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Nevada, MO

91 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Nevada, MO to Joplin, MO

64.4 mi · 1h 17m

Pacing Suggestions

Raytown, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Nevada, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 91.5 miles from Excelsior Springs, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 49 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Red Onion Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Joplin, Missouri

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14176231004

Visit website

Ventana Gourmet Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Excelsior Springs, Missouri

0.2 mi

The Bruncheonette

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Joplin, Missouri

0.7 mi

Red Onion Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Joplin, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14176231004

Visit website

Ventana Gourmet Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Excelsior Springs, Missouri

Hours: 4–8:30 pm

+18166308600

Visit website

The Bruncheonette

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Joplin, Missouri

Hours: 8:30 am–2 pm

+14177813447

Visit website

Judy's Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Jasper, Missouri

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14173949997

Visit website

Stogey's Coney Island

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Joplin, Missouri

Hours: 10:45 am–8 pm

+14176232020

Ginger Sue's

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Liberty, Missouri

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+18164077707

Visit website

Joplin Café

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Joplin, Missouri

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+14175537579

Visit website

Red Onion Espressoria

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Joplin, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14177814999

Visit website

Core Coffee & Eatery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18162875027

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Nevada, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour

Joplin, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Joplin, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14176239595

Visit website

Sun Country Highway Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Joplin, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18664676920

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Joplin, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Shoal Creek Living History Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+18167922655

Visit website

Meadowmere Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour

Grandview, Missouri

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+18163164888

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 37.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | MO 10 / Saint Louis Avenue

Turn sharp right onto MO 10 / Saint Louis Avenue

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

7
28.2 mi into trip | ~36m in | I 435 / Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 435 / Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway toward I 435 South: Wichita

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 435 South: Wichita
8
37.1 mi into trip | ~47m in

Take the exit toward I 49 South, US 71 South, I 470 East, US 50 East: Joplin, Lee's Summit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 71 Toward I 49 South, US 71 South, I 470 East, US...
8
37.7 mi into trip | ~47m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 49, I 470, US 50 East, US 71 South: Joplin, Lee's Summit

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 49, I 470, US 50 East, US 71 South: Jo...
7
37.9 mi into trip | ~48m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.59 one way

$57.19 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $31.40 $62.79
premium $4.89 $35.20 $70.39
diesel $5.61 $40.38 $80.76

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 64 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 54.9 0 $19.20 $8.78
Efficient EV 45.7 0 $16.00 $7.32
EV Truck/SUV 73.2 0 $25.61 $11.71

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

21 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 20, 2026

Origin

Excelsior Springs, MO

Late night in Excelsior Springs on Tuesday

Local time

4:19 AM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Joplin, MO

Late night in Joplin on Tuesday

Local time

4:19 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

68°F

Nevada, MO

91 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

9 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

3h 31m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entire 183.2 miles, as this route has a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through towns and rural areas for the duration of your trip, so keep an eye on your speed and local traffic. While there isn't a longest uninterrupted stretch specified, the nature of a local road drive suggests frequent intersections and changes in speed limits. The road will likely feel more like a series of connected country roads and main streets rather than a continuous high-speed journey.

85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.8 mi on I 49.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and US 69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MO 10 / Saint Louis Avenue.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 182.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (MO 10 / Saint Louis Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 28.2 miles (I 435 / Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Excelsior Springs, MO to Joplin, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Lee's Summit along the way.

Lee's Summit

37.1 mi in | ~47m

About the Cities

Arriving in Joplin, MO

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 182.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 129.8 miles on I 49. 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.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (MO 10 / Saint Louis Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 28.2 miles (I 435 / Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Joplin, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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