If you are planning a trip from Kearney to Joplin, you are looking at a straightforward 178.5-mile journey across Missouri. Expect to spend approximately 3 hours and 22 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day drive. You will rely primarily on I-49, the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, and I-435 to navigate the Midwest landscape. With a fuel budget of about $27, the trip is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. Because the entire route stays within the state of Missouri, you won't have to worry about crossing regional borders or adjusting for different travel laws. It is a practical, efficient path that gets you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
89.2 miles from Kearney, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 49
129.8 mi
2h 19m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
12.8 mi
14m
I 435
9.5 mi
11m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
8.9 mi
10m
Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
6.6 mi
7m
North Main Street Road
4.1 mi
8m
West Macarthur Drive
2 mi
3m
I 49 Business
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 49
— 129.8 mi, about 2h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney, MO and Joplin, MO.
1
Start on MO 33
46 ft·3 sec·South Jefferson Street
2
Turn left onto MO 92
0.6 mi·1 min·MO 92
3
Turn left
0.1 mi·18 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 35; MO 110
13 mi·14 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 12Toward I 435 South: Saint Louis
6
Merge onto I 435
9.5 mi·11 min·I 435
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 435
8.9 mi·10 min·Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
Toward I 435 South: WichitaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·45 sec
Exit 71Toward I 49 South, US 71 South, I 470 East, US 50 East: Joplin, Lee's SummitUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·12 sec
Toward I 49, I 470, US 50 East, US 71 South: Joplin, Lee's SummitUse the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
11
Merge onto I 49; US 71
130 mi·2 hr 19 min·I 49; US 71
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 53Toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
13
Turn right onto I 49 Business; MO 96; MO 171
6.6 mi·7 min·Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 49 Business; MO 171
1.1 mi·1 min·I 49 Business; MO 171
Toward I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
15
Enter roundabout onto I 49 Business; MO 171
235 ft·3 sec·East MacArthur Drive
16
Continue on I 49 Business; MO 171
0.9 mi·1 min·East MacArthur Drive
17
Continue on MO 171
2.0 mi·3 min·West Macarthur Drive
18
Enter roundabout onto MO 43
254 ft·6 sec·North Main Street Road
19
Continue on MO 43
4.0 mi·8 min·North Main Street Road
20
Turn left
60 ft·6 sec
21
Turn right
83 ft·6 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your personal schedule. While the drive is manageable in one go, you are allotted one stop to stretch your legs or refuel along the way. Make sure to account for your $27 fuel estimate before heading out to ensure a stress-free experience. Given that the longest uninterrupted stretch covers nearly 130 miles on I-49, try to time your pit stop either before or after this segment to keep your momentum steady. Prioritizing a single, well-timed break will help you stay alert as you transition from the Kansas City area down toward 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 89.2 miles from Kearney, MO, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.8 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 39 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.2 miles or 1h 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 2h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Joplin, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kearney, 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 Kearney, MO
This is one driving day of about 178.5 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Kearney, 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 I 49 for about 129.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 23.7 and 163.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
23.7 mi into trip|~28m in|I 435 / Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 435 / Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway toward I 435 South: Wichita
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 435 South: Wichita
8
32.6 mi into trip|~38m in
Take the exit toward I 49 South, US 71 South, I 470 East, US 50 East: Joplin, Lee's 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 71
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South, I 470 East, US...
8
33.3 mi into trip|~39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 49, I 470, US 50 East, US 71 South: Joplin, Lee's Summit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 49, I 470, US 50 East, US 71 South: Jo...
7
33.4 mi into trip|~39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
6
163.5 mi into trip|~2h 59m in
Take the exit toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 53
Toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 1...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.91 one way
$55.81 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.64
$61.28
premium
$4.89
$34.35
$68.70
diesel
$5.61
$39.41
$78.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.6
0
$18.74
$8.57
Efficient EV
44.6
0
$15.62
$7.14
EV Truck/SUV
71.4
0
$24.99
$11.42
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Kearney, MO
Late night
in Kearney on Tuesday
Local time
3:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Joplin, MO
Late night
in Joplin on Tuesday
Local time
3:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Nevada, MO
89 mi in
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
9 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
3h 22m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 178.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 86% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You should be prepared for a consistent, high-speed pace as you navigate these well-traveled corridors. The most significant portion of your travel involves a 129.8-mile stretch on I-49, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Because the route is designed for efficiency rather than winding backroads, you will experience a very steady, predictable driving environment. Expect the road to remain wide and fast-paced for the majority of the trip, allowing you to cover the 178.5 miles with ease.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.8 mi on I 49.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.7 miles in near I 435 / Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 178.5 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: at 23.7 miles (I 435 / Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,004 ft764 ft
Total Climb
433 ft
Total Descent
242 ft
Highest Point
1,004 ft
~178.5 mi in
Elevation Range
240 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 Kearney, MO to Joplin, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Lee's Summit 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 178.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.8 miles on I 49. 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.
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 Joplin, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 23.7 miles (I 435 / Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Joplin, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
