Troy, MO to Joplin, MO is 282.9 miles and takes about 5h 33m via I 44, MO 47, and MO T, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The route is mostly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. Given its manageable duration and clear path, it's a good choice if you're looking for an efficient way to travel across the state 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
141.4 miles from Troy, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
224.3 mi
4h 2m
MO 47
16.9 mi
25m
MO T
12.5 mi
17m
I 44 Business
8.5 mi
17m
Avenue of the Saints
8.5 mi
10m
MO W
5.9 mi
8m
MO TT
3.6 mi
5m
MO 94
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 224.3 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 Troy, MO and Joplin, MO.
1
Start on this road
97 ft·11 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto 2nd Street
99 ft·6 sec·2nd Street
3
Turn right onto East Cherry Street
0.2 mi·21 sec·East Cherry Street
4
Enter roundabout onto East Cherry Street
113 ft·2 sec·East Cherry Street
5
Continue on East Cherry Street
0.4 mi·49 sec·East Cherry Street
6
Turn left onto North Lincoln Drive
0.2 mi·23 sec·North Lincoln Drive
7
Turn slight right
208 ft·7 sec
8
Turn slight right onto MO 47
0.2 mi·21 sec·MO 47
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward US 61 South: Saint Louis
10
Merge onto US 61
8.5 mi·10 min·Avenue of the Saints
11
Turn right onto MO W
5.9 mi·8 min·MO W
12
At end of road, turn right onto Veterans Memorial Parkway
340 ft·12 sec·Veterans Memorial Parkway
13
Turn left onto MO T
13 mi·17 min·MO T
14
Continue on MO TT
3.6 mi·5 min·MO TT
15
Continue on MO 94
0.7 mi·1 min·MO 94
16
At end of road, turn left onto MO 47
11 mi·17 min·MO 47
Use the straight lane.
17
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; MO 47
0.4 mi·49 sec·US 50; MO 47
Use the left lane.
18
Take the exit
136 ft·5 sec
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right onto MO 47
5.6 mi·7 min·MO 47
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 44 West: Rolla
21
Merge onto I 44
224 mi·4 hr 2 min·I 44
22
Take the exit onto I 44 Business; MO 66
8.5 mi·17 min·I 44 Business; MO 66
Exit 15Toward I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, JoplinUse the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn right onto US Historic 66; MO 43
156 ft·7 sec·South Main Street
24
Turn right
60 ft·6 sec
25
Turn right
83 ft·6 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 33-minute drive, leaving Troy, MO in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and arrive in Joplin, MO with plenty of time. While it's feasible to complete in one day, consider that the longest stretch on I 44 is over 224 miles, so plan for at least one stop for fuel or a break. The fuel cost is estimated at $43, so ensure you have sufficient funds or a card for gas stations along I 44. Since this is a single-day trip with only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in timing your breaks.
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 141.4 miles from Troy, MO, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.3 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 62 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.4 miles or 2h 52m 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 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 Troy, 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 Troy, MO
This is one driving day of about 282.9 miles and 5h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Troy, 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 44 for about 224.3 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 0 and 274.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|2nd Street
At end of road, turn left onto 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|East Cherry Street
Enter roundabout onto East Cherry Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
32.5 mi into trip|~47m in|MO 47
At end of road, turn left onto MO 47
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
44.1 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
274.3 mi into trip|~5h 16m in|I 44 Business; MO 66
Take the exit onto I 44 Business; MO 66 toward I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, Joplin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 15
Toward I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, Joplin
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.78 one way
$83.56 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$46.12
$92.24
premium
$4.72
$52.53
$105.05
diesel
$4.80
$53.42
$106.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.9
1
$29.70
$13.58
Efficient EV
70.7
0
$24.75
$11.32
EV Truck/SUV
113.2
1
$39.61
$18.11
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Troy, MO
Morning
in Troy on Sunday
Local time
9:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Clear
W 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 8:35PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Joplin, MO
Morning
in Joplin on Sunday
Local time
9:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
S 8 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 8:35PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
89°F
Cuba, MO
141 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 33m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 273.1
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 224.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route has an 89% highway share, meaning you'll spend most of your time on major interstates and highways. The longest continuous stretch of highway driving is 224.3 miles on I 44. You'll transition to surface roads, specifically MO 47 and MO T, for the remaining portion of the trip. Expect a significant amount of cruising on I 44, with exits and services spaced out accordingly, before shifting to more rural road conditions.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 224.3 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and MO 47. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 2nd Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 33m drive. You will face about 18 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 (2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (East Cherry Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 32.5 miles (MO 47): Lane positioning matters here.
St. Louis Area is the region around St. Louis, Missouri. It borders St. Louis Metro East (Illinois) along the Mississippi River. Within Missouri, it borders Southeast Missouri, Central Missouri, and Northeast Missouri.
Top landmarks
•Downtown Troy Historic District — historic district in Troy, Missouri, United States
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
The longest stretch is about 224.3 miles on I 44. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (East Cherry Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 32.5 miles (MO 47): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — George Washington Carver National Monument 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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Joplin, MO before the return drive.
