This 164.7-mile drive from Joplin to Buckner, Missouri, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 19 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the Purple Heart Trail and MO 291, with a portion on Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, it's an economical journey. The route offers a mixed driving profile, so you won't be on constant highway the entire way. This trip is well-suited for a single day, allowing for a relaxed pace and avoiding the need for an overnight stay. Both Joplin and Buckner are located within the Midwest region, offering a consistent regional feel throughout your travels.
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
82.4 miles from Joplin, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Exit 17Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall EntranceUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn left onto South Little Blue Parkway
4.6 mi·7 min·South Little Blue Parkway
27
Turn right onto MO 78
2.0 mi·2 min·MO 78
28
Enter roundabout onto MO 7
0.1 mi·12 sec·MO 7
29
Continue on MO 7
2.3 mi·3 min·MO 7
30
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward US 24 East: Buckner
31
Merge onto US 24
4.9 mi·6 min·US 24
32
Turn right onto MO BB
0.4 mi·1 min·South Sibley Street
33
Turn right onto Washington Street
346 ft·15 sec·Washington Street
34
Arrive at destination
Washington Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 19-minute duration, leaving Joplin in the morning allows ample time to reach Buckner without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $26, this trip offers flexibility. Consider breaking up the longest stretch of 92.9 miles on the Purple Heart Trail with a brief stop for a stretch or a quick snack. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on that longer segment, to ensure a smooth journey. This route is straightforward, making it easy to manage even if you're not a seasoned road tripper.
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 82.4 miles from Joplin, MO, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.9 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 36 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.4 miles or 1h 34m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buckner, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
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Open the route before leaving Joplin, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
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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 Joplin, MO
This is one driving day of about 164.7 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Joplin, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 92.9 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.9 and 149.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
14.9 mi into trip|~22m in
Turn left toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
6
121.9 mi into trip|~2h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
7
139.3 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|MO 291
Take the exit onto MO 291 toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road
7
148.9 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 16B
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
8
149.9 mi into trip|~2h 57m in
Take the exit toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
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 17
Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall E...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.75 one way
$51.50 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.27
$56.54
premium
$4.89
$31.70
$63.39
diesel
$5.61
$36.36
$72.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.4
0
$17.29
$7.91
Efficient EV
41.2
0
$14.41
$6.59
EV Truck/SUV
65.9
0
$23.06
$10.54
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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 15, 2026
Origin
Joplin, MO
Late night
in Joplin on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Buckner, MO
Late night
in Buckner on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Nevada, MO
82 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
2 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
3h 19m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied driving experience on this 164.7-mile journey. Approximately 30% of the drive involves highway travel, balanced with other road types. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 92.9 miles along the Purple Heart Trail, offering a sustained period of driving without significant town interruptions. As you progress, the road character shifts, moving from potentially more open stretches to areas that may involve more local traffic and varied speed limits. This blend ensures the drive remains engaging, avoiding monotony.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.9 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.9 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 164.7 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: at 14.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 139.3 miles (MO 291): 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 Joplin, MO to Buckner, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Mall Entrance along the way.
Mall Entrance
149.9 mi in|~2h 57m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 164.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92.9 miles on Purple Heart Trail. 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 Buckner, 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: at 14.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 139.3 miles (MO 291): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — George Washington Carver National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Buckner, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
