This 194-mile drive from Richmond, MO, to Joplin, MO, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 46 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-49, with initial segments on MO 210 and the Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway. The route focuses on highway travel, making it a straightforward journey through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of around $30 and only one recommended stop, this trip is efficient for those looking to get from point A to point B without extensive delays. It's a practical option for a quick transit between these two Missouri cities.
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
97 miles from Richmond, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 49
129.8 mi
2h 19m
MO 210
29.8 mi
38m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
15.3 mi
17m
Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
6.6 mi
7m
North Main Street Road
4.1 mi
8m
West Macarthur Drive
2 mi
3m
MO 10
1.6 mi
1m
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 Richmond, MO and Joplin, MO.
1
Start on MO 10 Business
0.1 mi·26 sec·West Main Street
2
Turn left onto South Camden Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Camden Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto South Camden Street
0.4 mi·53 sec·South Camden Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward MO 10 West: Excelsior Springs
5
Merge onto MO 10
1.5 mi·1 min·MO 10
6
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 10
258 ft·3 sec·MO 10
7
Continue on MO 210
30 mi·38 min·MO 210
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward I 435 South: Independence
9
Merge onto I 435
6.4 mi·7 min·Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
10
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.
11
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.
12
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.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
14
Merge onto I 49; US 71
130 mi·2 hr 19 min·I 49; US 71
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 53Toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
16
Turn right onto I 49 Business; MO 96; MO 171
6.6 mi·7 min·Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
17
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
18
Enter roundabout onto I 49 Business; MO 171
235 ft·3 sec·East MacArthur Drive
19
Continue on I 49 Business; MO 171
0.9 mi·1 min·East MacArthur Drive
20
Continue on MO 171
2.0 mi·3 min·West Macarthur Drive
21
Enter roundabout onto MO 43
254 ft·6 sec·North Main Street Road
22
Continue on MO 43
4.0 mi·8 min·North Main Street Road
23
Turn left
60 ft·6 sec
24
Turn right
83 ft·6 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 46 minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single day trip, allowing for flexibility with your departure time. Plan for one stop to refuel or stretch your legs, perhaps midway through the longest stretch on I-49. The estimated fuel cost of $30 is a helpful budget point, but always be mindful of real-time prices. Since it's a relatively short drive, you can afford to leave later in the morning if you prefer a more relaxed start. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 129.8-mile segment on I-49, to ensure a smooth continuation to 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 97 miles from Richmond, MO, or about 1h 55m 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 43 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97 miles or 1h 55m 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 2m
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 Richmond, 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 Richmond, MO
This is one driving day of about 194 miles and 3h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Richmond, 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 39.3 and 179.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
39.3 mi into trip|~51m 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
48.2 mi into trip|~1h 2m 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
48.8 mi into trip|~1h 2m 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
49 mi into trip|~1h 3m 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
179.1 mi into trip|~3h 23m 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
$30.33 one way
$60.66 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$33.30
$66.60
premium
$4.89
$37.33
$74.67
diesel
$5.61
$42.83
$85.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.2
0
$20.37
$9.31
Efficient EV
48.5
0
$16.97
$7.76
EV Truck/SUV
77.6
0
$27.16
$12.42
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Richmond, MO
Night
in Richmond on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Joplin, MO
Night
in Joplin on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Garden City, MO
97 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
4 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 46m 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 198.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for 84% of this 194-mile journey. The bulk of your driving will be on I-49, which offers a consistent and relatively fast pace. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 129.8 miles on I-49 without needing to divert, allowing for a steady drive. While the initial and final portions might involve some state highways, the dominant character of this route is its interstate nature, designed for efficient travel through Missouri.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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 MO 210. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 39.3 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 18 significant decision points across 194 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 39.3 miles (I 435 / Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Richmond, MO to Joplin, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Lee's Summit along the way.
Lee's Summit
48.2 mi in|~1h 2m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 46m. Total distance: 194 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). 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 39.3 miles (I 435 / Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.8 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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Joplin, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
