Joplin to Marshall is 203.5 miles and takes about 4h 16m via US 65 and US 54, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, beginning in the Midwest and ending in the same region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip perfect for a single day of travel. You'll find the route practical for getting from point A to point B efficiently, with minimal fuss and a predictable driving experience.
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
101.7 miles from Joplin, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 65
60.9 mi
1h 14m
US 54
51.3 mi
1h 5m
Purple Heart Trail
34.5 mi
36m
MO 83
24.1 mi
33m
Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
10.5 mi
11m
I 49 Business
7.8 mi
8m
George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
3.2 mi
3m
South Odell Avenue
2.8 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 65
— 60.9 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joplin, MO and Marshall, 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
34 mi·36 min·Purple Heart Trail
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 102Toward US 54: Nevada, El Dorado Springs
16
At end of road, turn right onto US 54
51 mi·1 hr 5 min·US 54
17
Turn left onto MO 83
23 mi·31 min·MO 83
18
At end of road, turn left onto MO 83; MO MM
0.9 mi·1 min·MO 83; MO MM
19
Turn left onto MO 83
332 ft·8 sec·Blue Branch Road
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward US 65 North, MO 7 North: Warsaw, Sedalia
21
Merge onto US 65; MO 7
61 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 65; MO 7
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward US 65 Business: Marshall
23
Continue on US 65 Bus
2.8 mi·6 min·South Odell Avenue
24
Turn left onto MO 20
335 ft·12 sec·East Arrow Street
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto MO 20
366 ft·12 sec·North Jefferson Street
26
Continue on North Jefferson Avenue
0.1 mi·22 sec·North Jefferson Avenue
27
Turn left onto US 65 Bus
284 ft·9 sec·East Eastwood Street
28
Arrive at destination
US 65 Bus
Trip Plan
Given this route is about 4 hours and 16 minutes, you can easily complete it in one day. Aim to depart Joplin in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for an unplanned stop if needed. With a fuel cost estimated at $32, plan your fuel stops accordingly to ensure you don't run low, especially during the 60.9-mile stretch on US 65. While there's only one recommended stop, this short drive offers flexibility; you can depart later or take a more leisurely pace if desired.
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 101.7 miles from Joplin, MO, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.9 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 45 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.7 miles or 2h 3m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marshall, 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 203.5 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 65 for about 60.9 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 139.1 — 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
6
63.3 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward US 54: Nevada, El Dorado Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 102
Toward US 54: Nevada, El Dorado Springs
5
63.6 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|US 54
At end of road, turn right onto US 54
Navigation decision point
6
139.1 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Take the ramp toward US 65 North, MO 7 North: Warsaw, Sedalia
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 65 North, MO 7 North: Warsaw, Sedalia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.95 one way
$67.89 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$36.89
$73.79
premium
$5.26
$42.13
$84.27
diesel
$6.18
$49.50
$99.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
EV Charging Along Route
6 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
Tesla Supercharger
Nevada, Missouri
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Joplin, Missouri
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Francis Energy Charging Station
Sedalia, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
Sun Country Highway Charging Station
Joplin, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Joplin, Missouri
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Joplin, Missouri
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 2
Other: 2
Tesla: 1
Tesla Destination: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.1
0
$21.37
$9.77
Efficient EV
50.9
0
$17.81
$8.14
EV Truck/SUV
81.4
1
$28.49
$13.02
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Joplin, MO
Morning
in Joplin on Monday
Local time
8:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Clear
S 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Marshall, MO
Morning
in Marshall on Monday
Local time
8:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 2 mph0% 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
3 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 16m 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?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 71% of the 203.5 miles on main roads like US 65 and US 54. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 60.9 miles on US 65, offering a good opportunity for steady cruising. The transition to surface roads will likely occur as you approach your destination, shifting the pace from open highway to more localized driving.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.9 mi on US 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 65 and US 54. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 16m drive. You will face about 17 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 63.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,016 ft754 ft
Total Climb
498 ft
Total Descent
731 ft
Highest Point
1,016 ft
~159.9 mi in
Elevation Range
263 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 Marshall, MO, road signs point toward El Dorado Springs and Sedalia.
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 60.9 miles on US 65. 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.
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 63.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Marshall, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
