Origin
Joplin, MO
Late night in Joplin on Sunday
Local time
1:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Joplin, MO to East Independence, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 6m
Distance
154.6 mi
249 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 55m
★
6 AM
3h 6m
8 AM
3h 29m
10 AM
3h 14m
12 PM
3h 12m
3 PM
3h 15m
5 PM
3h 28m
8 PM
2h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Joplin, MO
Wikimedia Commons
East Independence, MO
Momo King
Trip Overview
Joplin to East Independence is 154.6 miles and takes about 3h 6m via Purple Heart Trail and MO 291, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, making it a straightforward drive across the Midwest. Expect a local feel for much of the journey, rather than a high-speed interstate experience. With only one recommended stop and a duration under four hours, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion when you want to reach your destination without feeling rushed.
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
77.3 miles from Joplin, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 92.9 mi | 1h 39m |
| MO 291 | 22.4 mi | 32m |
| Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway | 10.5 mi | 11m |
| MO 58 | 8.5 mi | 11m |
| I 49 Business | 7.8 mi | 8m |
| George Washington Carver Memorial Highway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| South Main Street | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| Demott Drive | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 92.9 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joplin, MO and East Independence, 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 City
Use 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
93 mi
·
1 hr 39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 160
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
16
Keep slight right at fork
243 ft
·
6 sec
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
17
Merge onto MO 291
8.3 mi
·
12 min
·
MO 291
18
Turn slight left onto MO 58; MO 291
8.5 mi
·
11 min
·
MO 58; MO 291
19
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
MO 291
Toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia
20
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
MO 291
Toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road
Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn left
300 ft
·
7 sec
22
Continue on MO 291
13 mi
·
18 min
·
MO 291
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward East Truman Road
24
At end of road, turn left onto East Truman Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Truman Road
25
Turn left onto Main Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Road
26
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft
·
3 sec
·
East 9th Street South
27
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, starting your drive anytime from mid-morning onward should allow you to arrive at your destination with plenty of daylight remaining. Since this is a single-day trip with only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 92.9-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, to ensure you don't need to search for a station unexpectedly. Planning your single stop strategically along this main road will help break up the drive efficiently.
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 77.3 miles from Joplin, MO, or about 1h 29m 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 34 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.3 miles or 1h 29m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Independence, 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 154.6 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77.3 miles from Joplin, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 139.3 — 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
Turn left
Navigation decision point
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
5
121.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
Take the exit toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 160
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.17 one way
$48.34 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.54 | $53.08 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.75 | $59.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.13 | $68.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.4 | 0 | $16.23 | $7.42 |
| Efficient EV | 38.7 | 0 | $13.53 | $6.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.8 | 0 | $21.64 | $9.89 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
East Independence, MO
Late night in East Independence on Sunday
Local time
1:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 16 mph
86% chance
Live forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued April 17 at 5:13PM CDT until April 17 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued April 17 at 5:13PM CDT until April 17 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
73°F
Nevada, MO
77 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
25 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 6m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by frequent turns, offering a more local driving experience than a typical highway journey. While 25% of the drive utilizes highways, you'll spend a significant portion on roads like the Purple Heart Trail and MO 291. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 92.9 miles on the Purple Heart Trail. Be prepared for a dynamic drive that transitions between more open stretches and areas with more local traffic and intersections.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 154.6 miles you will encounter 16 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: Navigation decision point; at 14.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 154.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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 East Independence, 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: Navigation decision point; at 14.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at East Independence, 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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