How far is Branson, MO from Jefferson City, MO?
The driving distance from Branson, MO to Jefferson City, MO is about 172.9 miles (278.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 145.3 miles (233.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 47m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Laclede County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Branson and Jefferson City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Branson and Jefferson City.
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1
Start on the route
19 m · 10 sec
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2
Turn left onto South Business 65
52 m · 6 sec · South Business 65
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3
Continue on Veterans Boulevard
1889 ft · 46 sec · Veterans Boulevard
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4
Continue on Veterans Boulevard
46 m · 4 sec · Veterans Boulevard
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Branson Landing Boulevard
88 m · 8 sec · Branson Landing Boulevard
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Branson Landing Boulevard
2409 ft · 58 sec · Branson Landing Boulevard
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7
Take the ramp straight toward US 65 North: Springfield
1192 ft · 29 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto American Legion Memorial Highway
7.7 mi · 9 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on US Highway 65
12 mi · 14 min · US Highway 65
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10
Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway
10.9 mi · 13 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on Schoolcraft Freeway
10.7 mi · 13 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 44 East: Saint Louis
3203 ft · 55 sec
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13
Merge slight left
46 mi · 49 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
894 ft · 26 sec
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15
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Jefferson Avenue
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16
Continue straight
23.7 mi · 29 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, Jefferson City
1082 ft · 23 sec
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18
Turn right
31.2 mi · 36 min
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19
Turn straight
25.9 mi · 30 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 50 Business
1334 ft · 33 sec
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21
Keep slight right
48 m · 4 sec
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22
Turn right onto Missouri Boulevard
1036 ft · 30 sec · Missouri Boulevard
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23
Turn right onto West McCarty Street
1519 ft · 51 sec · West McCarty Street
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24
Turn left onto Washington Street
76 m · 13 sec · Washington Street
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25
Turn right onto East Wall Way
104 m · 25 sec · East Wall Way
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Wall Way
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Branson and Jefferson City.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 44 East
Merge slight left
46 mi · 00h 49m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Partly Sunny leaving Branson and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Jefferson City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Branson to Jefferson City?
The road trip is about 172.9 miles (278.2 km) and usually takes 02h 47m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lebanon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.4 miles from Branson and 86.6 miles from Jefferson City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 145.3 miles (233.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:54 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.00 one way or $46.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Branson and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Jefferson City.
Stop Ideas Near Lebanon
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lebanon.
Jefferson City
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Branson and Jefferson City. Straight-line distance: 145.29 mi (233.82 km).
#1 Branson
Town in Taney County, Missouri, USA
| Population | 11,687 |
| Coordinates | 36.6436700, -93.2185100 |
| Altitude | 237 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Jefferson City
The capital of Missouri.
| Population | 42,708 |
| Coordinates | 38.5767000, -92.1735200 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Wall Way (-92.173431, 38.576776)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 278 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.00 | $46.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.94 | $51.89 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.39 | $56.78 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.35 | $64.71 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Missouri · Apr 24, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.