How far is Branson, MO from Saint Joseph, MO?
The driving distance from Branson, MO to Saint Joseph, MO is about 270.8 miles (435.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 233.3 miles (375.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 07m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Branson and Saint Joseph.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Branson and Saint Joseph.
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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 West: Joplin
1.3 km · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Payne Stewart Highway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward MO 13: Bolivar
596 ft · 15 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on MO 13: Bolivar
46 m · 4 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on MO 13 North: Bolivar
64 m · 7 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto North Kansas Expressway
87.2 mi · 1 hr 43 min · North Kansas Expressway
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18
Continue straight
35.9 mi · 39 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
37.9 mi · 46 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward 11th Street, Downtown
1637 ft · 26 sec
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21
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
130 m · 16 sec · East 11th Street
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22
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
888 ft · 23 sec · Charlotte Street
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23
Turn left onto East 9th Street
977 ft · 23 sec · East 9th Street
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24
Turn right onto Locust Street
691 ft · 18 sec · Locust Street
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25
Continue straight
3 mi · 6 min
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26
Keep slight left to continue on MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
1.4 km · 2 min
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27
Take the exit slight right toward US 169 North: Smithville
1540 ft · 24 sec
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28
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
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29
Take the exit slight left toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport, Saint Joseph
2441 ft · 60 sec
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30
Merge slight right
11.5 mi · 13 min
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31
Merge slight left
2.7 mi · 3 min
-
32
Keep slight left to continue on I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
26 mi · 28 min
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33
Take the exit slight right toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
2673 ft · 54 sec
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34
Continue straight
5.7 mi · 7 min
-
35
Take the exit slight right toward Central Business District
1382 ft · 34 sec
-
36
Continue on Edmond Street
2408 ft · 58 sec · Edmond Street
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37
Turn left onto South 10th Street
841 ft · 21 sec · South 10th Street
-
38
Turn right onto Frederick Avenue
116 m · 6 sec · Frederick Avenue
-
39
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
42 m · 3 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
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40
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Branson and Saint Joseph.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
North Kansas Expressway
Merge slight left onto North Kansas Expressway
87.2 mi · 01h 43m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Partly Sunny leaving Branson and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Saint Joseph.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Branson to Saint Joseph?
The road trip is about 270.8 miles (435.8 km) and usually takes 04h 07m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Clinton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 131.4 miles from Branson and 139.4 miles from Saint Joseph.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 233.3 miles (375.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.05 one way or $72.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Branson and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Saint Joseph.
Stop Ideas Near Clinton
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 Clinton.
Warrensburg
Sedalia
Lee's Summit
Independence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Branson and Saint Joseph. Straight-line distance: 233.29 mi (375.45 km).
#1 Branson
Town in Taney County, Missouri, USA
| Population | 11,687 |
| Coordinates | 36.6436700, -93.2185100 |
| Altitude | 237 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Saint Joseph
The most populous city in Buchanan County, Missouri.
| Population | 74,074 |
| Coordinates | 39.7686100, -94.8466300 |
| Altitude | 270 |
| Country | United States |
End: Walter Welsh Avenue (-94.846632, 39.768853)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 436 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $36.05 | $72.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $40.66 | $81.32 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $44.49 | $88.98 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $50.71 | $101.41 |
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.