How far is Carl Junction, MO from Jefferson City, MO?

The driving distance from Carl Junction, MO to Jefferson City, MO is about 215.2 miles (346.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 162.4 miles (261.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
215.19 mi
03h 24m
Flight
162.4 mi
261.35 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Carl Junction.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
162.4 mi
Kilometers
261.35 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
215.19 mi
Kilometers
346.31 km
Drive Time
03h 24m

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 03h 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Jefferson City
Sun, Apr 26, 2:53 PM CDT
Return by in Carl Junction
Sun, Apr 26, 6:17 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Carl Junction
2026-04-26T11:28
Arrive Jefferson City
Sun, Apr 26, 2:53 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:24 AM to 11:24 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:12 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Carl Junction
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Niangua
MO

Township in Webster County, Missouri

From Carl Junction
106.3 mi
01h 42m
To Jefferson City
108.9 mi
01h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 15 mph SE
Destination
76°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Carl Junction and Jefferson City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Carl Junction and Jefferson City.

  1. 1

    Start on West Pennell Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · West Pennell Street

  2. 2

    Turn right

    3.1 mi · 4 min

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Demott Drive

    40 m · 3 sec · Demott Drive

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto Demott Drive

    2 mi · 3 min · Demott Drive

  5. 5

    Continue on West MacArthur Drive

    1.5 km · 2 min · West MacArthur Drive

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    71 m · 3 sec

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout

    3117 ft · 38 sec

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 249 South: Joplin

    1 km · 42 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 66, I 44 Business

    1495 ft · 39 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto East 7th Street

    2 mi · 3 min · East 7th Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Cimarron Road

    1.4 km · 1 min · Cimarron Road

  13. 13

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 44 East, I 49 North, US 71 North: Springfield, Kansas City

    1 km · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway

    113.3 mi · 2 hr 3 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville

    894 ft · 26 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue

    1.6 mi · 3 min · South Jefferson Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    23.7 mi · 29 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, Jefferson City

    1082 ft · 23 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right

    31.2 mi · 36 min

  20. 20

    Turn straight

    25.9 mi · 30 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward US 50 Business

    1334 ft · 33 sec

  22. 22

    Keep slight right

    48 m · 4 sec

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Missouri Boulevard

    1036 ft · 30 sec · Missouri Boulevard

  24. 24

    Turn right onto West McCarty Street

    1519 ft · 51 sec · West McCarty Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Washington Street

    76 m · 13 sec · Washington Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto East Wall Way

    104 m · 25 sec · East Wall Way

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Wall Way

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Carl Junction and Jefferson City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
27 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
2 merges, 10 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
113 mi · 53%
South Jefferson Avenue
25.3 mi · 12%
Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway
3.36 mi · 2%
Demott Drive
2.01 mi · 1%
East 7th Street
1.97 mi · 1%
West MacArthur Drive
1.57 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Congressman Gene Taylor Highway

Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway

113 mi · 02h 03m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 24m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+52.8 mi
162.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Niangua
01h 42m from Carl Junction
Leave By
10:12 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Carl Junction and Chance Rain Showers near Jefferson City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Carl Junction to Jefferson City?

The road trip is about 215.2 miles (346.3 km) and usually takes 03h 24m 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?

Niangua is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.3 miles from Carl Junction and 108.9 miles from Jefferson City.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 162.4 miles (261.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.8 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 10:12 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.62 one way or $57.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Carl Junction and Chance Rain Showers near Jefferson City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Carl Junction and Jefferson City. Straight-line distance: 162.4 mi (261.35 km).

Carl Junction

#1 Carl Junction

City in Jasper County, Missouri, United States

Population8,430
Coordinates37.1767200, -94.5655100
Altitude273
CountryUnited States
Jefferson City

#2 Jefferson City

The capital of Missouri.

Population42,708
Coordinates38.5767000, -92.1735200
Altitude192
CountryUnited States
Start: West Pennell Street (-94.565506, 37.176818)
End: East Wall Way (-92.173431, 38.576776)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 346 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.59 gal
28.74 L · about $28.62
Round trip
$57.24
15.18 gal · 57.48 L
Estimated CO2
67.5 kg one way
Round trip: 134.9 kg / 297 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $28.62 $57.24
Mid-grade $4.25 $32.28 $64.56
Premium $4.65 $35.32 $70.65
Diesel $5.30 $40.26 $80.51

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 26, 2026

There is no time difference between Carl Junction and Jefferson City. The current time is 11:28:51.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.