Joplin to Chillicothe is 244.6 miles and takes about 4h 38m via Purple Heart Trail and I-435, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. You'll experience a mix of highway speeds and surface road cruising, so plan for a varied driving experience. It's a straightforward, single-day trip that keeps you within one state.
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
122.3 miles from Joplin, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,673 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,095
Quietest
1 AM
~208 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.9×
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 Joplin, MO and Chillicothe, MO.
1
Start on this road
83 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn left
60 ft·6 sec
3
Turn right onto US Historic 66; MO 43
2.3 mi·5 min·South Main Street
4
Turn straight onto MO 43
1.7 mi·2 min·North Main Street Road
5
Enter roundabout onto MO 171
14 ft·0 sec·Demott Drive
6
Continue on MO 171
2.0 mi·3 min·Demott Drive
7
Continue on I 49 Business; MO 171
0.9 mi·1 min·West MacArthur Drive
8
Enter roundabout onto I 49 Business; MO 171
234 ft·3 sec·I 49 Business; MO 171
9
Continue on I 49 Business; MO 171
7.8 mi·8 min·I 49 Business; MO 171
10
Continue on MO 96; MO 571
452 ft·15 sec·West Central Avenue
Toward MO 96 East, MO 571 South: Carthage
11
Turn left
0.2 mi·13 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas CityUse the left lane.
12
Merge onto I 49; US 71
3.2 mi·3 min·George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
13
Continue on I 49; US 71
10 mi·11 min·Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 49; US 71
116 mi·2 hr 5 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 435 North: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 435
18 mi·20 min·I 435
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi·1 min·I435 N
18
Continue on I 435
0.1 mi·9 sec·I 435
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 52B I35Toward I 35: Kansas City, Des MoinesUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit I35 NToward I 35 North, MO 110 East: Des MoinesUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto I 35; MO 110
6.3 mi·7 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; MO 110
35 mi·37 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
23
Take the exit onto MO 110
0.2 mi·33 sec·MO 110
Exit 54Toward US 36, MO 110 East, I 35 Business: Cameron, Hamilton
24
Turn right onto US 36; MO 110
37 mi·42 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward US 36 Business, US 65: Chillicothe, Carrollton
26
Turn left onto US 65; US 36 Business
1.4 mi·3 min·South Washington Street
Toward US 65 North, US 36 Business: ChillicotheUse the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn right onto Jackson Street
322 ft·15 sec·Jackson Street
28
Turn left onto Locust Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·Locust Street
29
Arrive at destination
Locust Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 38m duration, leaving Joplin in the morning allows ample time to reach Chillicothe before evening. With only one recommended stop, you can easily manage your breaks. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 116 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with that before you start. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you transition from highway to surface roads, as gas station availability might vary. This is a manageable one-day drive, so you have flexibility with your departure time.
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 122.3 miles from Joplin, MO, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.2 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 54 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.3 miles or 2h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chillicothe, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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.
+
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 244.6 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 116.2 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.9 and 242.9 — 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
145 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 435 North: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 435 North: Des Moines
9
164.3 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 35: Kansas City, Des Moines
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 52B I35
Toward I 35: Kansas City, Des Moines
9
164.4 mi into trip|~3h 5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35 North, MO 110 East: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit I35 N
Toward I 35 North, MO 110 East: Des Moines
8
242.9 mi into trip|~4h 33m in|US 65; US 36 Business / South Washington Street
Turn left onto US 65; US 36 Business / South Washington Street toward US 65 North, US 36 Business: Chillicothe
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 65 North, US 36 Business: Chillicothe
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.67 one way
$81.33 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$44.30
$88.60
premium
$5.18
$49.91
$99.82
diesel
$5.35
$51.52
$103.04
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: 85.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.4
0
$25.68
$11.74
Efficient EV
61.2
0
$21.40
$9.78
EV Truck/SUV
97.8
1
$34.24
$15.65
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 May 24, 2026
Origin
Joplin, MO
Afternoon
in Joplin on Wednesday
Local time
3:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chillicothe, MO
Afternoon
in Chillicothe on Wednesday
Local time
3:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Cloudy
NNW 1 to 7 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 23 at 2:35PM CDT until May 24 at 4:51PM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 23 at 10:25AM CDT until May 23 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
86°F
Adrian, MO
122 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
18 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
4h 38m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 43% of this 244.6-mile route is on highways. You'll have a longest stretch of 116.2 miles on the Purple Heart Trail before transitioning to other roads. Expect a mixed driving experience with some highway cruising and some surface roads. This means you'll encounter areas with more frequent exits and intersections as you move between road types.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116.2 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 18 significant decision points across 244.6 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 145 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,036 ft760 ft
Total Climb
447 ft
Total Descent
655 ft
Highest Point
1,036 ft
~192.1 mi in
Elevation Range
276 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Joplin, MO and Chillicothe, MO, road signs point toward Des Moines and Hamilton.
Des Moines
164.3 mi in|~3h 4m
Hamilton
205.6 mi in|~3h 50m|via MO 110
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 4h 38m. Total distance: 244.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 116.2 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 Chillicothe, 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.3 miles: 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Chillicothe, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
