This 280.3-mile drive from Joplin, MO to Saint Peters, MO will take approximately 5 hours and 28 minutes. It's a feasible day trip, though you could break it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is $44. You'll primarily be on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway for the longest stretch of 237.6 miles. This route offers a local driving experience through the heart of the Midwest, with a significant portion not on the interstate. You'll likely find it to be a turn-heavy local drive.
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
140.1 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
237.6 mi
4h 16m
Manchester Road
13.4 mi
18m
East 7th Street
6.8 mi
14m
MO 109
4.9 mi
7m
Mid Rivers Mall Drive
4.7 mi
9m
MO 94
3.4 mi
4m
Avenue of the Saints
2.7 mi
3m
South Eatherton Road
2.4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
— 237.6 mi, about 4h 16m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,432 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,709
Quietest
2 AM
~177 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.1×
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 Saint Peters, 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
238 mi·4 hr 16 min·Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 253Toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray SummitUse the slight right lane.
8
Turn left onto MO 100
13 mi·18 min·Manchester Road
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward MO 109
10
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
224 ft·4 sec·MO 109
11
Continue on MO 109
515 ft·10 sec·MO 109
12
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
98 ft·1 sec·MO 109
13
Continue on MO 109
0.4 mi·45 sec·MO 109
14
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
94 ft·2 sec·MO 109
15
Continue on MO 109
4.3 mi·6 min·MO 109
16
Enter roundabout onto South Eatherton Road
94 ft·1 sec·South Eatherton Road
17
Continue on South Eatherton Road
2.4 mi·4 min·South Eatherton Road
18
Continue on Olive Street Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Olive Street Road
19
Take the ramp onto Chesterfield Airport Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Chesterfield Airport Road
20
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
2.7 mi·3 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 10Toward MO 94: Defiance, Saint CharlesUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·4 sec
Toward MO 94 East: Saint CharlesUse the right lane.
23
Merge onto MO 94
3.4 mi·4 min·MO 94
Use the right lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Pitman Hill RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn left onto Mid Rivers Mall Drive
4.7 mi·9 min·Mid Rivers Mall Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
26
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·20 sec
Toward I 70 West: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
27
Merge onto I 70
479 ft·6 sec·I 70
28
Arrive at destination
I 70
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour and 28 minute duration, starting your drive from Joplin in the morning is recommended to arrive in Saint Peters with daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 237.6-mile stretch on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway, as services might be less frequent. The $44 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra. Since it's a single-day trip, you can adjust your departure time based on traffic and your personal preference for morning or afternoon driving.
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 140.1 miles from Joplin, MO, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237.6 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 62 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.1 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 Saint Peters, 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 280.3 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 237.6 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 275 — 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
8
245.9 mi into trip|~4h 33m in
Take the exit toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray Summit
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 253
Toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray Summit
8
271.3 mi into trip|~5h 12m in
Take the exit toward MO 94: Defiance, Saint Charles
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 10
Toward MO 94: Defiance, Saint Charles
8
271.5 mi into trip|~5h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 94 East: Saint Charles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward MO 94 East: Saint Charles
8
275 mi into trip|~5h 18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Pitman Hill Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Pitman Hill Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.39 one way
$82.79 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$45.70
$91.40
premium
$4.72
$52.04
$104.09
diesel
$4.80
$52.93
$105.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.1
1
$29.43
$13.45
Efficient EV
70.1
0
$24.53
$11.21
EV Truck/SUV
112.1
1
$39.24
$17.94
Gas CO2
98 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Joplin, MO
Late night
in Joplin on Sunday
Local time
4:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
S 7 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 8:35PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Saint Peters, MO
Late night
in Saint Peters on Sunday
Local time
4:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Clear
SW 6 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 8:35PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM 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
2 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
5h 28m 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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with only 30% of the journey on highways. The bulk of your travel will be on local roads, including Congressman Gene Taylor Highway, Manchester Road, and East 7th Street. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a substantial 237.6 miles on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway. This means you'll experience a variety of road conditions and speeds, rather than a consistent interstate cruise. Be prepared for frequent turns and changes in the driving environment.
Only 3% 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: 237.6 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 early in the drive.
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 20 significant decision points across 280.3 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: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 245.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 271.3 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 28m. Total distance: 280.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 237.6 miles on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 29 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 Saint Peters, 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 29 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 245.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 271.3 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saint Peters, MO before the return drive.
