How far is Kansas City, MO from Branson, MO?
The driving distance from Kansas City, MO to Branson, MO is about 209.2 miles (336.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 185.2 miles (298 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 15m 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 07m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in St.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kansas City and Branson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and Branson.
-
1
Start on Oak Street
6 m · 5 sec · Oak Street
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2
Turn right onto East 12th Street
1308 ft · 42 sec · East 12th Street
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3
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
1497 ft · 41 sec · Charlotte Street
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4
Turn left onto East Truman Road
120 m · 12 sec · East Truman Road
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5
Turn right onto Campbell Street
21 m · 1 sec · Campbell Street
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6
Take the ramp straight toward US 71 South: Joplin
1114 ft · 27 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Bruce R. Watkins Drive
37.3 mi · 44 min · Bruce R. Watkins Drive
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8
Take the exit slight right toward MO 7 South: Clinton
924 ft · 20 sec
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9
Turn slight left onto MO 7 South: Clinton
55.5 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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10
Continue straight
68 mi · 1 hr 19 min
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11
Take the exit slight left toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
954 ft · 23 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Payne Stewart Highway
4.3 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Branson
2343 ft · 50 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway
10.7 mi · 13 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
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15
Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway
10.9 mi · 13 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
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16
Continue on US Highway 65
12 mi · 14 min · US Highway 65
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17
Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway
7.5 mi · 9 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward MO 248, CR 165, Red Route
1043 ft · 22 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Red Route East
79 m · 7 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Branson Landing Boulevard
3251 ft · 2 min · Branson Landing Boulevard
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Veterans Boulevard
47 m · 4 sec · Veterans Boulevard
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22
Exit the roundabout onto Veterans Boulevard
2041 ft · 52 sec · Veterans Boulevard
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23
Continue on South Business 65
52 m · 6 sec · South Business 65
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24
Turn right
19 m · 5 sec
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kansas City and Branson.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
MO 7 South
Continue straight
68 mi · 01h 19m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Kansas City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Branson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kansas City to Branson?
The road trip is about 209.2 miles (336.6 km) and usually takes 04h 07m 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?
Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 104.6 miles from Kansas City and 104.5 miles from Branson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 185.2 miles (298 km), while the road route adds roughly 24 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 8:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.83 one way or $55.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms around Kansas City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Branson.
Stop Ideas Near Vista
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 Vista.
Warrensburg
Sedalia
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kansas City and Branson. Straight-line distance: 185.19 mi (298.04 km).
#1 Kansas City
The third most populous city in Missouri and the center of the Kansas City metropolitan area.
| Population | 495,327 |
| Coordinates | 39.0997300, -94.5785700 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Branson
Town in Taney County, Missouri, USA
| Population | 11,687 |
| Coordinates | 36.6436700, -93.2185100 |
| Altitude | 237 |
| Country | United States |
End: Branson (-93.21851, 36.64367)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 337 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.83 | $55.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.39 | $62.77 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $34.35 | $68.69 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $39.14 | $78.29 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.