How far is Festus, MO from Jefferson City, MO?
Fastest route
The route from Festus, Missouri to Jefferson City, Missouri takes approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes covering a distance of 138 miles via US-50 W.
Directions
- Head west on Veterans Blvd toward Veterans Blvd.
- Pass by White Castle (on the left).
- Slight right to merge onto I-55 N toward St Louis.
- Follow I-55 N, I-44, and US-50 W to Broadway St in Jefferson City.
- Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 196 for I-270 W toward Kansas City.
- Take exit 5B for I-44 W/US-50 W toward Tulsa.
- Keep left to continue toward I-44/US-50 W. Keep left and merge onto I-44/US-50 W.
- Keep left to continue on I-44. Take exit 247 for US-50 W toward Union/Jefferson City.
- Pass by Casey's (on the right in 60.6 mi).
- Keep right to stay on US-50 W.
- Turn right onto Broadway St.
- Turn right onto W Wall Way.
- Arrive at Jefferson City, Missouri.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🛣️ Make sure to follow the signs for I-55 N to merge onto the highway.
- 🚗 Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 196 for I-270 W toward Kansas City.
- ⚠️ Keep left to continue toward I-44/US-50 W and merge onto I-44/US-50 W.
- 📍 Pay attention to exit 247 for US-50 W toward Union/Jefferson City.
- ⛽ Keep an eye out for Casey's on the right as a landmark.
- 🗺️ Once in Jefferson City, turn right onto Broadway St and then right onto W Wall Way to reach your destination.
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 27m.
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.
Village in Missouri, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Festus and Jefferson City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Festus and Jefferson City.
-
1
Start on North 2nd Street
24 m · 5 sec · North 2nd Street
-
2
Turn right onto Walnut Street
103 m · 20 sec · Walnut Street
-
3
Turn left onto West Main Street
672 ft · 17 sec · West Main Street
-
4
Turn right onto South Mill Street
2976 ft · 59 sec · South Mill Street
-
5
Turn right onto Veterans Memorial Boulevard
2484 ft · 58 sec · Veterans Memorial Boulevard
-
6
Take the ramp straight toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
1472 ft · 36 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
8.9 mi · 10 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward MO M: Antonia, Barnhart
1759 ft · 44 sec
-
9
At the end of the road, turn left
11.8 mi · 18 min
-
10
Continue straight
6.3 mi · 10 min
-
11
Turn right
2.2 mi · 4 min
-
12
Take the ramp left toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Rolla
1391 ft · 34 sec
-
13
Merge slight left onto Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
17 mi · 19 min · Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward US 50 West: Union, Jefferson City
1271 ft · 27 sec
-
15
Merge slight left
61 mi · 1 hr 13 min
-
16
Continue straight
1817 ft · 38 sec
-
17
Turn right onto County Route 605
1.5 mi · 6 min · County Route 605
-
18
Turn right onto County Route 604
1 km · 2 min · County Route 604
-
19
Continue on Loose Creek Highway
1 mi · 3 min · Loose Creek Highway
-
20
Turn left onto Wolf Ridge Trail
1908 ft · 1 min · Wolf Ridge Trail
-
21
Turn right
17.1 mi · 21 min
-
22
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
879 ft · 32 sec · Jefferson Street
-
23
Turn left onto West McCarty Street
151 m · 16 sec · West McCarty Street
-
24
Turn right onto Washington Street
76 m · 13 sec · Washington Street
-
25
Turn right onto East Wall Way
104 m · 25 sec · East Wall Way
-
26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Wall Way
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Festus and Jefferson City.
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 50 West
Merge slight left
61 mi · 01h 13m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Festus 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 Festus to Jefferson City?
The road trip is about 129.9 miles (209 km) and usually takes 02h 27m 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?
Leslie is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.4 miles from Festus and 64.5 miles from Jefferson City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 99.4 miles (159.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:34 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.27 one way or $34.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Festus and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Jefferson City.
Stop Ideas Near Leslie
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 Leslie.
Washington
Hermann
Kirkwood
Jefferson City
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Festus and Jefferson City. Straight-line distance: 99.34 mi (159.88 km).
#1 Festus
City in Missouri
| Population | 12,114 |
| Coordinates | 38.2206100, -90.3959500 |
| Altitude | 132 |
| 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: 209 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.27 | $34.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.48 | $38.96 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.32 | $42.63 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $24.29 | $48.58 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.