How far is Cape Girardeau, MO from Branson, MO?
The driving distance from Cape Girardeau, MO to Branson, MO is about 295.2 miles (475 km), with a travel time of about 05h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 209.3 miles (336.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 38m 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 05h 49m.
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.
Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cape Girardeau and Branson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape Girardeau and Branson.
-
1
Start on Broadway Street
2497 ft · 56 sec · Broadway Street
-
2
Turn left onto North Sprigg Street
1.2 km · 2 min · North Sprigg Street
-
3
Turn right onto Shawnee Parkway
1.6 mi · 3 min · Shawnee Parkway
-
4
Turn left onto South Kingshighway
1.9 mi · 3 min · South Kingshighway
-
5
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South, US 61 South: Sikeston
27.2 mi · 29 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff
2865 ft · 1 min
-
7
Merge slight left
45.4 mi · 52 min
-
8
Keep slight left
5.5 mi · 6 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 60 West, US 67 North: Springfield, Saint Louis
4.5 mi · 6 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right
172.8 mi · 3 hr 23 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Branson
927 ft · 40 sec
-
12
Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
-
13
Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway
10.9 mi · 13 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
-
14
Continue on US Highway 65
12 mi · 14 min · US Highway 65
-
15
Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway
7.5 mi · 9 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward MO 248, CR 165, Red Route
1043 ft · 22 sec
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on Red Route East
79 m · 7 sec
-
18
Turn straight onto Branson Landing Boulevard
3251 ft · 2 min · Branson Landing Boulevard
-
19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Veterans Boulevard
47 m · 4 sec · Veterans Boulevard
-
20
Exit the roundabout onto Veterans Boulevard
2041 ft · 52 sec · Veterans Boulevard
-
21
Continue on South Business 65
52 m · 6 sec · South Business 65
-
22
Turn right
19 m · 5 sec
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cape Girardeau and Branson.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 60 West
Take the exit slight right
173 mi · 03h 23m
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.
Sunny leaving Cape Girardeau and Partly Sunny near Branson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cape Girardeau to Branson?
The road trip is about 295.2 miles (475 km) and usually takes 05h 49m 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?
Winona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 147.5 miles from Cape Girardeau and 147.7 miles from Branson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 209.3 miles (336.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 85.9 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 5:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.29 one way or $78.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cape Girardeau and Partly Sunny near Branson.
Stop Ideas Near Winona
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 Winona.
Poplar Bluff
Walnut Ridge
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cape Girardeau and Branson. Straight-line distance: 209.3 mi (336.84 km).
#1 Cape Girardeau
The second-largest city in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri.
| Population | 41,588 |
| Coordinates | 37.3058800, -89.5181500 |
| Altitude | 108 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Branson
Town in Taney County, Missouri, USA
| Population | 11,687 |
| Coordinates | 36.6436700, -93.2185100 |
| Altitude | 237 |
| Country | United States |
End: Branson (-93.21851, 36.64367)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 475 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.29 | $78.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.32 | $88.63 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.49 | $96.99 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.27 | $110.54 |
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.