Joplin to Mesa Verde: Road Trip Guide & Distance

769.1 miles 1237.8 km · straight line
923 miles estimated 1485.4 km · driving distance
18h 34min estimated drive time
$89 - $109 estimated fuel cost
~2h 3min flight time
275° W bearing direction

How far is Joplin from Mesa Verde?

The distance from Joplin to Mesa Verde is 769.1 miles (1237.8 km) as the crow flies. Mesa Verde is located W of Joplin. By car, the driving distance is approximately 923 miles, taking about 18h 34min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 3min. Both are located in United States — Joplin in Missouri and Mesa Verde in Colorado.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Joplin and Mesa Verde. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Joplin to Mesa Verde

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 18h 34min $89 - $109 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 3min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~22h 17min $74–$138* Budget
Train ~24h 8min $111–$323* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Joplin & Mesa Verde

Quick Facts

Joplin
37.08°N, 94.51°W
America/Chicago
306m elevation
Mesa Verde
37.18°N, 108.49°W
America/Denver
2613m elevation
Explore more routes from Mesa Verde

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 256 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 64 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 32.4 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients