Joplin to Kirksville is 326.1 miles and takes about 6h 18m via US 63 and US 54, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a single-day drive that primarily utilizes major highways. Given its duration and the fact that it's mostly highway, it's a straightforward option for getting from southwest Missouri to the northeast part of the 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
163.1 miles from Joplin, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 63
115.4 mi
2h 9m
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
113.3 mi
2h 2m
US 54
59.1 mi
1h 8m
MO 5
23.7 mi
29m
East 7th Street
6.8 mi
14m
South Franklin Street
2 mi
5m
South Jefferson Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
South Baltimore Street
1.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 63
— 115.4 mi, about 2h 9m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,682 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,963
Quietest
2 AM
~197 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
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 Kirksville, 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
113 mi·2 hr 2 min·Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 129Toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
8
Turn left onto MO 5; MO 32; MO 64
1.6 mi·2 min·South Jefferson Avenue
9
Continue on MO 5
24 mi·29 min·MO 5
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, Jefferson City
11
Turn right onto US 54
31 mi·35 min·US 54
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 54
28 mi·32 min·US 54
13
Take the exit onto US 63
115 mi·2 hr 9 min·US 63
Toward US 63 North: ColumbiaUse the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 63 Business: Kirksville
15
Continue on US 63 Bus
1.6 mi·1 min·South Baltimore Street
16
Turn slight left
249 ft·11 sec
Toward Kirksville, Truman State University
17
Continue on South Franklin Street
2.0 mi·5 min·South Franklin Street
18
Arrive at destination
North Franklin Street
Trip Plan
For this 6h 18m drive, leaving Joplin in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Kirksville with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 115.4-mile stretch on US 63, as services might be less frequent. Since it's a manageable one-day trip, you can depart when you're ready and adjust your timing as needed.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 163.1 miles from Joplin, MO, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.4 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 72 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163.1 miles or 3h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kirksville, 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 326.1 miles and 6h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 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 US 63 for about 115.4 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 206.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in
At end of road, turn right
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
8.3 mi into trip|~17m in|I 44; I 49; US 71 / Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Merge onto I 44; I 49; US 71 / Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
121.7 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 129
Toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
5
147.1 mi into trip|~2h 51m in
Take the exit toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, Jefferson City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, J...
6
206.5 mi into trip|~4h in|US 63
Take the exit onto US 63 toward US 63 North: Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 63 North: Columbia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.22 one way
$108.43 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$59.06
$118.11
premium
$5.18
$66.54
$133.08
diesel
$5.35
$68.69
$137.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.8
1
$34.24
$15.65
Efficient EV
81.5
0
$28.53
$13.04
EV Truck/SUV
130.4
1
$45.65
$20.87
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Joplin, MO
Afternoon
in Joplin on Wednesday
Local time
2:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 8 mph38% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:06AM CDT until June 1 at 4:45AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:04AM CDT until June 1 at 4:30AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Kirksville, MO
Afternoon
in Kirksville on Wednesday
Local time
2:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Patchy Fog
ESE 5 mph43% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:06AM CDT until June 1 at 4:45AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:04AM CDT until June 1 at 4:30AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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
10 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
6h 18m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 11.2
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 56.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 61% of this drive on highways, with the longest continuous stretch covering 115.4 miles on US 63. As you transition from highway to surface roads, expect a noticeable change in pace and traffic patterns. The route offers a good mix, starting with more expansive highway cruising and eventually moving to roads with more local access points.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 115.4 mi on US 63.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 63 and Congressman Gene Taylor Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 18m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 11 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 8.3 miles (I 44; I 49; US 71 / Congressman Gene Taylor Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,457 ft579 ft
Total Climb
1,189 ft
Total Descent
1,213 ft
Highest Point
1,457 ft
~93.2 mi in
Elevation Range
878 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 Kirksville, MO, road signs point toward Nevada, Osage Beach and Jefferson City.
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
The longest stretch is about 115.4 miles on US 63. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Kirksville, 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 8.3 miles (I 44; I 49; US 71 / Congressman Gene Taylor Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — George Washington Carver National Monument and Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kirksville, MO before the return drive.
