Spanning 203.7 miles across the Missouri heartland, this route connects Marshall to Joplin in approximately 4 hours and 16 minutes. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that fits perfectly into a single day of travel. You can expect to spend roughly $31 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly option for a regional trip. Because the drive is contained within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you transition between these two Missouri hubs. While it is certainly manageable in one go, planning for at least one stop will keep you refreshed behind the wheel. Use this route if you are looking for a direct, efficient way to reach your destination without the complexity of winding backroads.
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
101.9 miles from Marshall, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 65
60.9 mi
1h 14m
US 54
51.6 mi
1h 5m
I 49
48.2 mi
51m
MO 83
24.1 mi
33m
Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
6.6 mi
7m
North Main Street Road
4.1 mi
8m
North Odell Avenue
3 mi
7m
West Macarthur Drive
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 65
— 60.9 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marshall, MO and Joplin, MO.
1
Start on US 65 Bus
0.1 mi·22 sec·East Eastwood Street
2
Turn right onto US 65 Bus
3.0 mi·7 min·North Odell Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 65 South
4
Merge onto US 65
61 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 65
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·40 sec
6
Turn left onto MO 83
0.1 mi·13 sec·Blue Branch Road
7
Continue on MO 83
0.9 mi·1 min·MO 83
8
Turn sharp right onto MO 83
1.5 mi·2 min·MO 83
9
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 83
22 mi·29 min·MO 83
10
At end of road, turn right onto US 54
52 mi·1 hr 5 min·US 54
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·24 sec
12
Merge onto I 49; US 71
48 mi·51 min·I 49; US 71
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 53Toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
14
Turn right onto I 49 Business; MO 96; MO 171
6.6 mi·7 min·Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
15
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
16
Enter roundabout onto I 49 Business; MO 171
235 ft·3 sec·East MacArthur Drive
17
Continue on I 49 Business; MO 171
0.9 mi·1 min·East MacArthur Drive
18
Continue on MO 171
2.0 mi·3 min·West Macarthur Drive
19
Enter roundabout onto MO 43
254 ft·6 sec·North Main Street Road
20
Continue on MO 43
4.0 mi·8 min·North Main Street Road
21
Turn left
60 ft·6 sec
22
Turn right
83 ft·6 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 16-minute travel window, consider departing early in the morning to avoid midday traffic fluctuations. Since you have only one planned stop, time it strategically after the lengthy 60.9-mile stretch on US 65 to give yourself a meaningful break. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the initial highway segments, as the $31 estimated cost assumes steady highway speeds. The flexibility of a one-day trip allows you to adjust your departure time based on local conditions without needing overnight accommodations. For the best experience, use your single stop to transition from the regional highway portions onto the I-49 corridor, ensuring you are fully alert before merging into higher-speed traffic.
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 101.9 miles from Marshall, MO, or about 2h 13m 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 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.9 miles or 2h 13m 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 30m
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 Marshall, 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 Marshall, MO
This is one driving day of about 203.7 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Marshall, 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 64.3 and 196.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
64.3 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|MO 83 / Blue Branch Road
Turn left onto MO 83 / Blue Branch Road
Navigation decision point
5
65.4 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|MO 83
Turn sharp right onto MO 83
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
188.8 mi into trip|~3h 53m 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...
6
195.5 mi into trip|~4h 1m in|I 49 Business; MO 171
Keep slight right at fork onto I 49 Business; MO 171 toward I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
5
196.6 mi into trip|~4h 2m in|I 49 Business; MO 171 / East MacArthur Drive
Enter roundabout onto I 49 Business; MO 171 / East MacArthur Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.85 one way
$63.69 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$34.97
$69.93
premium
$4.89
$39.20
$78.40
diesel
$5.61
$44.97
$89.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.1
0
$21.39
$9.78
Efficient EV
50.9
0
$17.82
$8.15
EV Truck/SUV
81.5
1
$28.52
$13.04
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Marshall, MO
Night
in Marshall on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Joplin, MO
Night
in Joplin on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Nevada, MO
102 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
14 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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 203.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 91% of the journey spent on highways, this trip is designed for steady, consistent progress. You will navigate a combination of US 65, US 54, and I-49, moving from smaller arterial roads to major interstate travel. Be prepared for a long haul early on, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 60.9 miles on US 65. The character of the road shifts from regional highway driving to the faster-paced flow of the interstate system as you approach the final leg toward Joplin. It is a practical, utilitarian drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency over technical maneuvering or frequent turns.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 65 and US 54. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 64.3 miles in near MO 83 / Blue Branch Road.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 203.7 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 64.3 miles (MO 83 / Blue Branch Road): Navigation decision point; at 65.4 miles (MO 83): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 188.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 16m. Total distance: 203.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
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: at 64.3 miles (MO 83 / Blue Branch Road): Navigation decision point; at 65.4 miles (MO 83): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 188.8 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 Joplin, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
