Joplin to Frontenac is 278.5 miles and takes about 5h 13m via Congressman Gene Taylor Highway and I 270, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region on a mix of surface roads and interstate. Expect a straightforward drive that's well-suited for a single-day excursion, especially if you're looking for a direct route between these two points without extensive detours. The relatively short duration and manageable mileage make it a practical choice for a quick regional hop.
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
139.2 miles from Joplin, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
260.4 mi
4h 42m
East 7th Street
6.8 mi
14m
I 270
5.9 mi
7m
Avenue of the Saints
1.4 mi
1m
Cimarron Road
0.9 mi
1m
US 61
0.7 mi
1m
I 44 Business
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
— 260.4 mi, about 4h 42m
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 Joplin, MO and Frontenac, MO.
1
Start on this road
219 ft·18 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right
193 ft·19 sec
3
Turn left onto I 44 Business; MO 66
6.8 mi·14 min·East 7th Street
4
Continue on I 44 Business; MO 66
0.9 mi·1 min·Cimarron Road
5
Take the ramp onto I 44 Business
0.6 mi·1 min·I 44 Business
Toward I 44 East, I 49 North, US 71 North: Springfield, Kansas City
6
Merge onto I 44; I 49; US 71
260 mi·4 hr 42 min·Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Exit 276Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·11 sec
Toward I 270 North: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
9
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·52 sec·this road
Exit 276Toward I 270 North: Chicago
10
Merge onto I 270
5.9 mi·7 min·I 270
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
13
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·21 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Saint Louis
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·13 sec
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Saint LouisUse the straight lane.
15
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·9 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Saint Louis
16
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
1.4 mi·1 min·Avenue of the Saints
17
Take the exit onto US 61
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 61
Exit 28AToward US 67, US 61: Lindbergh BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
369 ft·11 sec
Toward US 67 North: Lindbergh BoulevardUse the left / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto US 61
0.5 mi·38 sec·US 61
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North
20
Arrive at destination
I 64; US 40; US 61
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day trip, aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight. The drive is under six hours, so you can likely complete it without needing to split it, but remember there's one suggested stop if you need a break. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the long stretch on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway, as services might be less frequent than on a major interstate. The $42 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting. Given the route's profile, be mindful of speed limit changes as you move between different road types.
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 139.2 miles from Joplin, MO, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 260.4 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 61 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.2 miles or 2h 39m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Frontenac, 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 278.5 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 Congressman Gene Taylor Highway for about 260.4 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 268.7 and 275.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
268.7 mi into trip|~5h in
Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
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 276
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
8
268.9 mi into trip|~5h in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 North: Chicago
8
275.4 mi into trip|~5h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
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 12
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Lo...
9
275.5 mi into trip|~5h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Sain...
9
275.9 mi into trip|~5h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Saint Louis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.30 one way
$92.61 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$50.44
$100.87
premium
$5.18
$56.83
$113.66
diesel
$5.35
$58.66
$117.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.6
1
$29.24
$13.37
Efficient EV
69.6
0
$24.37
$11.14
EV Truck/SUV
111.4
1
$38.99
$17.82
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 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 May 16, 2026
Origin
Joplin, MO
Afternoon
in Joplin on Wednesday
Local time
3:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Sunny
S 16 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Frontenac, MO
Afternoon
in Frontenac on Wednesday
Local time
3:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 9 mph50% chanceLive forecast
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
7 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 13m 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...
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 57.6
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
$19
near mile 278.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive involves 260.4 miles on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway, which means you'll spend the vast majority of your time on surface roads. I 270 accounts for the remaining portion of the trip. You'll notice the transition from more rural cruising on the highway to merging onto the interstate for the final stretch. With only one planned stop and a significant portion on surface streets, be prepared for more varied traffic patterns compared to an all-interstate route.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 260.4 mi on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 268.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 278.5 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 268.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 268.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 275.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 13m. Total distance: 278.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 260.4 miles on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 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 Frontenac, 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 268.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 268.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 275.4 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, 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Frontenac, MO before the return drive.
