Joplin to Webster Groves is 274.5 miles and takes about 5 hours 8 minutes via Congressman Gene Taylor Highway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, connecting two points in the Midwest region. Given it's primarily surface roads, expect a more leisurely pace than a pure interstate drive. With only one recommended stop and a single day suggested, this route is well-suited for a straightforward transit, offering a clear path to your destination without extensive planning.
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
137.3 miles from Joplin, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
261.5 mi
4h 44m
East 7th Street
6.8 mi
14m
Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway
3.5 mi
4m
South Elm Avenue
0.9 mi
2m
Cimarron Road
0.9 mi
1m
I 44 Business
0.6 mi
1m
West Lockwood Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
— 261.5 mi, about 4h 44m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,417 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,956
Quietest
2 AM
~186 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13×
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 Webster Groves, 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
262 mi·4 hr 44 min·Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 44; US 50
3.5 mi·4 min·Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·20 sec
Exit 280Toward Elm AvenueUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
136 ft·5 sec
Toward Elm Avenue, Webster University, Shop & Dine, Universities & Theater, City Hall & InformationUse the left lane.
10
Turn left onto South Elm Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·South Elm Avenue
11
Turn left onto West Lockwood Avenue
147 ft·2 sec·West Lockwood Avenue
12
Arrive at destination
West Lockwood Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time and primarily surface road profile, starting your trip in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. Plan for your single recommended stop to break up the 261.5-mile stretch on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as finding stations might be less frequent on these non-highway roads compared to interstate travel. With a total fuel cost estimated at $42, it's a budget-friendly option for a same-day trip, allowing for flexibility should you encounter unexpected delays on local routes.
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 137.3 miles from Joplin, MO, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 261.5 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 60 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.3 miles or 2h 37m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Webster Groves, 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 274.5 miles and 5h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 261.5 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 273.5 — 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
4
7.7 mi into trip|~15m in|I 44 Business
Take the ramp onto I 44 Business toward I 44 East, I 49 North, US 71 North: Springfield, Kansas City
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 East, I 49 North, US 71 North: Spri...
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.
7
273.4 mi into trip|~5h 6m in
Take the exit toward Elm Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 280
Toward Elm Avenue
9
273.5 mi into trip|~5h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Elm Avenue, Webster University, Shop & Dine, Universities & Theater, City Hall & Information
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Elm Avenue, Webster University, Shop & D...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.64 one way
$91.28 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$49.71
$99.43
premium
$5.18
$56.01
$112.03
diesel
$5.35
$57.82
$115.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.4
1
$28.82
$13.18
Efficient EV
68.6
0
$24.02
$10.98
EV Truck/SUV
109.8
1
$38.43
$17.57
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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 May 25, 2026
Origin
Joplin, MO
Afternoon
in Joplin on Wednesday
Local time
2:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Clear
E 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 24 at 7:27PM CDT until May 25 at 2:32AM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Destination
Webster Groves, MO
Afternoon
in Webster Groves on Wednesday
Local time
2:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Clear
NE 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 24 at 7:27PM CDT until May 25 at 2:32AM CDT by NWS Springfield 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 8m 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...
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
$19
near mile 274.5
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
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 66.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on surface roads, with 0% highway driving. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway, with the longest continuous stretch measuring 261.5 miles. Expect to navigate through varied environments, from more developed areas to potentially rural cruising, as you transition from Joplin towards Webster Groves. The lack of highway segments means you’ll likely encounter more traffic lights and local intersections.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 261.5 mi on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
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 Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 8m drive. You will face about 7 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 7.7 miles (I 44 Business): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.3 miles (I 44; I 49; US 71 / Congressman Gene Taylor Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 261.5 miles on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 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.
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 28 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 7.7 miles (I 44 Business): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.3 miles (I 44; I 49; US 71 / Congressman Gene Taylor Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — George Washington Carver National Monument, Gateway Arch National Park 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 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Webster Groves, MO before the return drive.
