Trip from Joplin, MO to 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 4m

Distance

153.4 mi

247 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Good

5 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

2h 53m ★

6 AM

3h 4m

8 AM

3h 27m

10 AM

3h 13m

12 PM

3h 10m

3 PM

3h 14m

5 PM

3h 26m

8 PM

2h 58m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

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

Joplin, MO

Wikimedia Commons

city in Jackson and Clay counties in Missouri, United States, that is one of two county seats in Jackson County

Independence, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 153.4-mile drive from Joplin, MO to Independence, MO is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 4 minutes to complete. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, it's an economical journey through the heart of Missouri. The route primarily utilizes local roads, indicated by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, with only about 19% of the drive on highways. This makes it a more engaging, less monotonous way to travel between these two Midwest locations. Given the relatively short duration and the nature of the roads, you'll find plenty of flexibility in planning your departure and any brief stops along the way.

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

76.7 miles from Joplin, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Purple Heart Trail	92.9 mi	1h 39m
Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway	10.5 mi	11m
South Noland Road	8.9 mi	15m
MO 58	8.5 mi	11m
MO 291	8.3 mi	12m
I 49 Business	7.8 mi	8m
George Washington Carver Memorial Highway	3.2 mi	3m
US 50	2.7 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 Independence, MO.

Start on this road

83 ft · 11 sec · this road

Turn left

60 ft · 6 sec

Turn right onto US Historic 66; MO 43

2.3 mi · 5 min · South Main Street

Turn straight onto MO 43

1.7 mi · 2 min · North Main Street Road

Enter roundabout onto MO 171

14 ft · 0 sec · Demott Drive

Continue on MO 171

2.0 mi · 3 min · Demott Drive

Continue on I 49 Business; MO 171

0.9 mi · 1 min · West MacArthur Drive

Enter roundabout onto I 49 Business; MO 171

234 ft · 3 sec · I 49 Business; MO 171

Continue on I 49 Business; MO 171

7.8 mi · 8 min · I 49 Business; MO 171

Continue on MO 96; MO 571

452 ft · 15 sec · West Central Avenue

Toward MO 96 East, MO 571 South: Carthage

Turn left

0.2 mi · 13 sec

Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 49; US 71

3.2 mi · 3 min · George Washington Carver Memorial Highway

Continue on I 49; US 71

10 mi · 11 min · Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway

Continue on I 49; US 71

93 mi · 1 hr 39 min · Purple Heart Trail

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 17 sec

Exit 160 Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit

Keep slight right at fork

243 ft · 6 sec

Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit

Merge onto MO 291

8.3 mi · 12 min · MO 291

Turn slight left onto MO 58; MO 291

8.5 mi · 11 min · MO 58; MO 291

Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Toward US 50 West: Kansas City

Merge onto US 50

2.7 mi · 3 min · US 50

Continue on MO 350

2.5 mi · 3 min · Blue Parkway

Turn right onto MO V

5.9 mi · 9 min · South Noland Road

Continue on South Noland Road

3.1 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road

Turn left onto East Walnut Street

466 ft · 22 sec · East Walnut Street

Turn right onto South Lynn Street

394 ft · 22 sec · South Lynn Street

Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue

145 ft · 6 sec · East Kansas Avenue

Arrive at destination

East Kansas Avenue

Trip Plan

Given that this 153.4-mile drive takes just over 3 hours, it's perfectly suited for a single day, offering flexibility in when you depart. You might consider leaving in the morning to maximize your time at your destination in Independence, MO, or a mid-day departure to avoid peak traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $23, you can be quite spontaneous. Keep an eye on your GPS, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be navigating many intersections. A specific tip for this route is to ensure your navigation system is up-to-date, as local road changes can occur without notice.

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 76.7 miles from Joplin, MO, or about 1h 28m 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 76.7 miles or 1h 28m 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 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near 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 153.4 miles and 3h 4m.

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.

city in Cass County, Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Garden City, MO

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.

Popular next leg

Garden City, MO to Independence, MO

44.7 mi · 1h 3m

Pacing Suggestions

Carthage, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Nevada, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.7 miles from Joplin, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Red Onion Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Joplin, Missouri

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14176231004

Visit website

Café Verona

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Independence, Missouri

0.1 mi

The Bruncheonette

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Joplin, Missouri

0.7 mi

Red Onion Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Joplin, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14176231004

Visit website

Café Verona

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 153.4

Independence, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18168330044

Visit website

The Bruncheonette

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Joplin, Missouri

Hours: 8:30 am–2 pm

+14177813447

Visit website

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 65.7

Nevada, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour

Joplin, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Joplin, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14176239595

Visit website

Sun Country Highway Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Joplin, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18664676920

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Joplin, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 138.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

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

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

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

138.9 mi into trip | ~2h 41m in

Take the exit toward US 50 West: Kansas City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 50 West: Kansas City

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.98 one way

$47.96 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$26.33	$52.66
premium	$4.89	$29.52	$59.04
diesel	$5.61	$33.87	$67.74

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: 53.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	46	$16.11	$7.36
Efficient EV	38.4	$13.42	$6.14
EV Truck/SUV	61.4	$21.48	$9.82

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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Joplin, MO

Late night in Joplin on Sunday

Local time

2:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Independence, MO

Late night in Independence on Sunday

Local time

2:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

55°F

Garden City, 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

16 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 4m 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 driving experience characterized by frequent turns and local road navigation, rather than long stretches of highway. Only 19% of this 153.4-mile journey involves highway driving, meaning you'll be interacting with local traffic and road conditions for the majority of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 92.9 miles along the Purple Heart Trail, offering a more sustained period on a single road before the route transitions. This profile suggests a drive where you'll be actively engaged with the road, making it feel more like a local exploration than a typical interstate cruise.

Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

28 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?

4/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 4m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

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 4m. Total distance: 153.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (19%). Straightforward navigation.

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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Joplin, MO or browse trips ending in Independence, MO.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.

Trip from Joplin, MO to Independence, MO

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Red Onion Cafe

Red Onion Cafe

Café Verona

The Bruncheonette

Stogey's Coney Island

Joplin Café

Red Onion Espressoria

Jimmy's Egg

Famos on 66

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Sun Country Highway Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Joplin, MO

Independence, MO

Same local time

16 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 4m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Independence, MO

More from Joplin, MO

More trips to Independence, MO