How far is Jackson, MO from Jefferson City, MO?

The driving distance from Jackson, MO to Jefferson City, MO is about 202.6 miles (326 km), with a travel time of about 03h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 159.6 miles (256.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 03m 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
202.58 mi
03h 31m
Flight
159.54 mi
256.76 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Jackson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
159.54 mi
Kilometers
256.76 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
202.58 mi
Kilometers
326.02 km
Drive Time
03h 31m

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 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Jefferson City
Fri, Apr 24, 3:00 AM CDT
Return by in Jackson
Fri, Apr 24, 6:31 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Jackson
2026-04-23T23:28
Arrive Jefferson City
Fri, Apr 24, 3:00 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:32 AM to 11:32 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
9:56 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Jackson
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
Byrnes Mill
MO

City in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States

From Jackson
101.7 mi
01h 45m
To Jefferson City
100.9 mi
01h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 17 mph S
Destination
81°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Jackson and Jefferson City.

  1. 1

    Start on East Main Street

    9 m · 8 sec · East Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn sharp left

    25 m · 2 sec

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward North Hope Street

    11 m · 1 sec · North Hope Street

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto North Hope Street

    90 m · 12 sec · North Hope Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto East Washington Street

    105 m · 10 sec · East Washington Street

  6. 6

    Continue on North High Street

    3.7 mi · 6 min · North High Street

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left toward I 55 North: Perryville, Saint Louis

    903 ft · 22 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    79 mi · 1 hr 25 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward MO M: Antonia, Barnhart

    1759 ft · 44 sec

  10. 10

    At the end of the road, turn left

    11.8 mi · 18 min

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    6.3 mi · 10 min

  12. 12

    Turn right

    2.2 mi · 4 min

  13. 13

    Take the ramp left toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Rolla

    1391 ft · 34 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor

    17 mi · 19 min · Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward US 50 West: Union, Jefferson City

    1271 ft · 27 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    61 mi · 1 hr 13 min

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    1817 ft · 38 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right onto County Route 605

    1.5 mi · 6 min · County Route 605

  19. 19

    Turn right onto County Route 604

    1 km · 2 min · County Route 604

  20. 20

    Continue on Loose Creek Highway

    1 mi · 3 min · Loose Creek Highway

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Wolf Ridge Trail

    1908 ft · 1 min · Wolf Ridge Trail

  22. 22

    Turn right

    17.1 mi · 21 min

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Jefferson Street

    879 ft · 32 sec · Jefferson Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto West McCarty Street

    151 m · 16 sec · West McCarty Street

  25. 25

    Turn right 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 Jackson 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
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
79.2 mi · 39%
US 50 West
61.6 mi · 30%
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
17 mi · 8%
MO M
6.61 mi · 3%
North High Street
3.68 mi · 2%
County Route 605
1.49 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

Merge slight left

79 mi · 01h 25m

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 31m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+43 mi
159.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Byrnes Mill
01h 45m from Jackson
Leave By
9:56 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Jackson 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 Jackson to Jefferson City?

The road trip is about 202.6 miles (326 km) and usually takes 03h 31m 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?

Byrnes Mill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 101.7 miles from Jackson and 100.9 miles from Jefferson City.

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

The direct path is about 159.6 miles (256.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 43 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 9:56 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.96 one way or $53.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Jackson and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Jefferson City.

Stop Ideas Near Byrnes Mill

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Byrnes Mill, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Byrnes Mill.

RAIL

Kirkwood

22 mi away
110 West Argonne Dr.
RAIL

Gateway Transportation Center

39 mi away
551 South 16th St.
RAIL

Washington

40 mi away
301 West Front St.
RAIL

Alton

65 mi away
3400 College Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Jackson and Jefferson City. Straight-line distance: 159.54 mi (256.76 km).

Jackson

#1 Jackson

City in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, United States

Population14,699
Coordinates37.3822700, -89.6662100
Altitude141
CountryUnited States
Jefferson City

#2 Jefferson City

The capital of Missouri.

Population42,708
Coordinates38.5767000, -92.1735200
Altitude192
CountryUnited States
Start: East Main Street (-89.666212, 37.382354)
End: East Wall Way (-92.173431, 38.576776)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 326 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 53m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.15 gal
27.06 L · about $26.96
Round trip
$53.93
14.3 gal · 54.12 L
Estimated CO2
63.5 kg one way
Round trip: 127.1 kg / 280 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $26.96 $53.93
Mid-grade $4.25 $30.41 $60.82
Premium $4.65 $33.28 $66.55
Diesel $5.30 $37.92 $75.85

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

There is no time difference between Jackson and Jefferson City. The current time is 23:28:42.

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.