Joplin to Washington is 247.6 miles and takes about 4h 43m via Congressman Gene Taylor Highway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. You'll primarily be on surface roads for most of this drive, which means you can expect a more relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is a straightforward option for a single-day excursion.
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
123.8 miles from Joplin, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
224.6 mi
4h 2m
MO 47
7.5 mi
11m
East 7th Street
6.8 mi
14m
North Main Street
5.7 mi
8m
Cimarron Road
0.9 mi
1m
I 44 Business
0.6 mi
1m
US 50
0.5 mi
<1m
East 3rd Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
— 224.6 mi, about 4h 2m
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 Washington, 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
225 mi·4 hr 2 min·Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 240Toward MO 47: Union, Saint Clair
8
Keep slight left at fork
105 ft·5 sec
Exit 240Toward MO 47: Union, Saint Clair
9
Turn left onto MO 47
5.7 mi·8 min·North Main Street
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; MO 47
0.5 mi·54 sec·US 50; MO 47
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto MO 47
7.5 mi·11 min·MO 47
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto East 8th Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·East 8th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn right onto Macarthur Street
0.3 mi·54 sec·Macarthur Street
14
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
0.4 mi·1 min·East 3rd Street
15
Arrive at destination
West 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 43m duration, leaving Joplin in the morning should allow you to reach Washington with plenty of daylight to spare. You'll want to plan for your single recommended stop strategically, as the longest stretch without a break is over 224 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto the longer surface road sections, and ensure you're topped up before heading out. The $39 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but actual costs can vary. Consider a mid-morning departure to avoid peak traffic in Joplin.
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 123.8 miles from Joplin, MO, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.6 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 54 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.8 miles or 2h 22m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington, 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 247.6 miles and 4h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 224.6 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 246.8 — 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
232.9 mi into trip|~4h 19m in
Take the exit toward MO 47: Union, Saint Clair
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 240
Toward MO 47: Union, Saint Clair
8
233.1 mi into trip|~4h 20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MO 47: Union, Saint Clair
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 240
Toward MO 47: Union, Saint Clair
6
246.8 mi into trip|~4h 40m in|East 8th Street
Turn left onto East 8th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.17 one way
$82.33 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$44.84
$89.68
premium
$5.18
$50.52
$101.05
diesel
$5.35
$52.15
$104.30
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: 86.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.3
0
$26.00
$11.88
Efficient EV
61.9
0
$21.67
$9.90
EV Truck/SUV
99
1
$34.66
$15.85
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
3:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Clear
S 6 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued May 31 at 8:59PM CDT until June 1 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued May 31 at 8:57PM CDT until June 1 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Destination
Washington, MO
Afternoon
in Washington on Wednesday
Local time
3:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
E 2 mph79% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued May 31 at 8:59PM CDT until June 1 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued May 31 at 8:57PM CDT until June 1 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill 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
8 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 43m 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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 59.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with about 33% on highways. You'll experience a long stretch of 224.6 miles on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect to notice more frequent intersections and local traffic as you move away from the highway segments. The profile suggests a route that prioritizes local roads over high-speed interstate driving.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 224.6 mi on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway.
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 Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 43m drive. You will face about 12 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: 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 232.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,411 ft554 ft
Total Climb
839 ft
Total Descent
1,289 ft
Highest Point
1,411 ft
~88.4 mi in
Elevation Range
857 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Joplin, MO to Washington, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Clair along the way.
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
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 224.6 miles on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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.
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: 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 232.9 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Washington, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
