How far is Jefferson City, MO from Jackson, MO?
The driving distance from Jefferson City, MO to Jackson, MO is about 203.2 miles (327 km), with a travel time of about 04h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.6 miles (256.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 21m 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 10m.
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 Jefferson County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Jefferson City and Jackson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson City and Jackson.
-
1
Start on East Wall Way
47 m · 13 sec · East Wall Way
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2
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
1130 ft · 40 sec · Jefferson Street
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3
Turn left onto Rex M Whitton Expressway
11.3 mi · 14 min · Rex M Whitton Expressway
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4
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 East: Saint Louis
5.9 mi · 7 min
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5
Turn left onto Wolf Ridge Trail
1995 ft · 2 min · Wolf Ridge Trail
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6
At the end of the road, turn right onto Loose Creek Highway
1 mi · 2 min · Loose Creek Highway
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7
Continue on County Route 604
1 km · 3 min · County Route 604
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8
Turn left onto County Route 605
1.5 mi · 6 min · County Route 605
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9
Turn left
1817 ft · 36 sec
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10
Continue on West Main Street
58.6 mi · 1 hr 10 min · West Main Street
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11
Merge slight left
2.5 mi · 3 min
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 44 East, US 50 East: Saint Louis
17.3 mi · 19 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward MO 109: Eureka, Wildwood
1115 ft · 27 sec
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14
Turn right
2.1 mi · 4 min
-
15
Turn left
6.4 mi · 11 min
-
16
Continue straight
11.6 mi · 17 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right
55 m · 5 sec
-
18
Turn right onto Metropolitan Boulevard
641 ft · 15 sec · Metropolitan Boulevard
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward I 55 South: Cape Girardeau
66 m · 10 sec
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20
Exit the roundabout onto I 55 South: Cape Girardeau
832 ft · 10 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Jeff McBride Memorial Highway
79 mi · 1 hr 25 min · Jeff McBride Memorial Highway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward US 61, I 55 Business: Fruitland, Jackson
1141 ft · 24 sec
-
23
Turn right onto I 55 Business, US 61 South: Jackson
41 m · 3 sec
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24
Turn right
3.6 mi · 6 min
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward East Main Street
52 m · 3 sec · East Main Street
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26
Exit the roundabout onto East Main Street
18 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Jefferson City and Jackson.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Jeff McBride Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Jeff McBride Memorial Highway
79 mi · 01h 25m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Jefferson City and Showers And Thunderstorms near Jackson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Jefferson City to Jackson?
The road trip is about 203.2 miles (327 km) and usually takes 04h 10m 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 101.5 miles from Jefferson City and 101.7 miles from Jackson.
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 43.6 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 8:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.04 one way or $54.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Jefferson City and Showers And Thunderstorms near Jackson.
Stop Ideas Near Byrnes Mill
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 Byrnes Mill.
Kirkwood
Gateway Transportation Center
Washington
Alton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Jefferson City and Jackson. Straight-line distance: 159.54 mi (256.76 km).
#1 Jefferson City
The capital of Missouri.
| Population | 42,708 |
| Coordinates | 38.5767000, -92.1735200 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Jackson
City in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 14,699 |
| Coordinates | 37.3822700, -89.6662100 |
| Altitude | 141 |
| Country | United States |
End: Jackson (-89.66621, 37.38227)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 327 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.04 | $54.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.49 | $60.99 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.37 | $66.74 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $38.03 | $76.06 |
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.