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

The driving distance from Jefferson City, MO to Ozark, MO is about 147.6 miles (237.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 121.4 miles (195.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
147.62 mi
02h 54m
Flight
121.38 mi
195.34 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Jefferson City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
121.38 mi
Kilometers
195.34 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
147.62 mi
Kilometers
237.57 km
Drive Time
02h 54m

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 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ozark
Thu, Apr 23, 1:37 PM CDT
Return by in Jefferson City
Thu, Apr 23, 4:32 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Jefferson City
2026-04-23T10:42
Arrive Ozark
Thu, Apr 23, 1:37 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:55 AM to 12:55 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:40 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Jefferson City
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Lebanon
MO

City in Laclede County, Missouri, United States

From Jefferson City
73.8 mi
01h 27m
To Ozark
73.8 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
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
Destination
79°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 17 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Wall Way

    47 m · 13 sec · East Wall Way

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Jefferson Street

    1130 ft · 40 sec · Jefferson Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Rex M Whitton Expressway

    540 ft · 23 sec · Rex M Whitton Expressway

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Madison Street

    3189 ft · 2 min · Madison Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight

    1131 ft · 28 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto C. F. “Red” Whaley Expressway

    56.5 mi · 1 hr 5 min · C. F. “Red” Whaley Expressway

  7. 7

    Take the exit right toward MO 5 South, MO 7 South: Lebanon

    1203 ft · 29 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    24 mi · 29 min

  9. 9

    Turn left onto North Jefferson Avenue

    1.6 mi · 2 min · North Jefferson Avenue

  10. 10

    Take the exit right toward I 44 West: Springfield

    731 ft · 18 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    46.4 mi · 50 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Branson

    1412 ft · 48 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway

    11 mi · 14 min · Schoolcraft Freeway

  14. 14

    Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway

    4.6 mi · 5 min · American Legion Memorial Highway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward US 65 Busienss, MO 14: Nixa

    1286 ft · 33 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto West Jackson Road

    580 ft · 25 sec · West Jackson Road

  17. 17

    Continue on Jackson Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Jackson Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto West Church Street

    30 m · 4 sec · West Church Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Church Street

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
C. F. “Red” Whaley Expressway
56.5 mi · 38%
I 44 West
46.6 mi · 32%
MO 5 South
24.2 mi · 16%
Schoolcraft Freeway
11 mi · 7%
American Legion Memorial Highway
4.55 mi · 3%
North Jefferson Avenue
1.55 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

C. F. “Red” Whaley Expressway

Merge slight left onto C. F. “Red” Whaley Expressway

56.5 mi · 01h 05m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.2 mi
121.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lebanon
01h 27m from Jefferson City
Leave By
12:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Jefferson City and Partly Sunny near Ozark.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Jefferson City to Ozark?

The road trip is about 147.6 miles (237.6 km) and usually takes 02h 54m 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?

Lebanon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.8 miles from Jefferson City and 73.8 miles from Ozark.

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

The direct path is about 121.4 miles (195.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.2 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 12:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.65 one way or $39.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Lebanon

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lebanon, 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 Lebanon.

RAIL

Jefferson City

109 mi away
101 Jefferson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Jefferson City and Ozark. Straight-line distance: 121.38 mi (195.34 km).

Jefferson City

#1 Jefferson City

The capital of Missouri.

Population42,708
Coordinates38.5767000, -92.1735200
Altitude192
CountryUnited States
Ozark

#2 Ozark

City in Alabama

Population21,052
Coordinates37.0208900, -93.2060200
Altitude356
CountryUnited States
Start: Jefferson City (-92.17352, 38.5767)
End: Ozark (-93.20602, 37.02089)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 238 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.21 gal
19.72 L · about $19.65
Round trip
$39.29
10.42 gal · 39.44 L
Estimated CO2
46.3 kg one way
Round trip: 92.6 kg / 204 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.65 $39.29
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.16 $44.32
Premium $4.65 $24.25 $48.49
Diesel $5.30 $27.63 $55.27

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

There is no time difference between Jefferson City and Ozark. The current time is 10:42:28.

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.