How far is Jefferson City, MO from Smithville, MO?
The driving distance from Jefferson City, MO to Smithville, MO is about 178.2 miles (286.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 140.9 miles (226.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 43m 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 03h 21m.
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 Saline County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Jefferson City and Smithville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson City and Smithville.
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1
Start on East Wall Way
47 m · 13 sec · East Wall Way
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2
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
77 m · 15 sec · Jefferson Street
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3
Turn right onto West McCarty Street
1 km · 2 min · West McCarty Street
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4
Take the ramp right toward US 54 East, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbia
713 ft · 18 sec
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5
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 2 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 63 North: Columbia
27.8 mi · 31 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 70, US 40, MO PP: Kansas City, Saint Louis
2021 ft · 43 sec
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8
Continue straight
1089 ft · 31 sec
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9
Take the exit left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
2220 ft · 54 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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14
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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15
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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16
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
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17
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
-
18
Continue on George Brett Super Highway
1.4 km · 58 sec · George Brett Super Highway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des Moines
1.1 mi · 2 min
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20
Merge slight left onto Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
7.8 mi · 9 min · Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
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21
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi · 1 min · I435 N
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22
Continue straight
11.3 mi · 12 min
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23
Take the exit slight right toward US 169 North: Smithville
3082 ft · 1 min
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24
Merge slight left
5 mi · 8 min
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25
Turn right onto West Main Street
1042 ft · 38 sec · West Main Street
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26
Turn right
21 m · 5 sec
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Jefferson City and Smithville.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 00h 58m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Jefferson City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Smithville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Jefferson City to Smithville?
The road trip is about 178.2 miles (286.8 km) and usually takes 03h 21m 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?
Sweet Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89 miles from Jefferson City and 89.2 miles from Smithville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 140.9 miles (226.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.3 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 10:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.72 one way or $47.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.9 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 Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Smithville.
Stop Ideas Near Sweet Springs
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 Sweet Springs.
Sedalia
Warrensburg
Lee's Summit
Independence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Jefferson City and Smithville. Straight-line distance: 140.9 mi (226.76 km).
#1 Jefferson City
The capital of Missouri.
| Population | 42,708 |
| Coordinates | 38.5767000, -92.1735200 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Smithville
City in Tennessee
| Population | 11,011 |
| Coordinates | 39.3869400, -94.5810700 |
| Altitude | 248 |
| Country | United States |
End: Smithville (-94.58107, 39.38694)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 287 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.72 | $47.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.75 | $53.50 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.27 | $58.55 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.36 | $66.72 |
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.