How far is Saint Joseph, MO from Branson, MO?
The driving distance from Saint Joseph, MO to Branson, MO is about 263 miles (423.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 233.3 miles (375.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 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 05h 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 Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Saint Joseph and Branson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Joseph and Branson.
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1
Start on Walter Welsh Avenue
127 m · 9 sec · Walter Welsh Avenue
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2
Turn right onto North 12th Street
91 m · 10 sec · North 12th Street
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3
Turn right onto Francis Street
1130 ft · 38 sec · Francis Street
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4
Turn left onto North 9th Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North 9th Street
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5
Take the ramp slight right
741 ft · 16 sec
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6
Merge slight left
929 ft · 20 sec
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7
Take the exit slight left toward I 229 South, US 59 South: Kansas City
992 ft · 21 sec
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8
Merge slight left
4.5 mi · 5 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
1705 ft · 29 sec
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10
Merge slight left
26.1 mi · 28 min
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11
Merge slight right
2.2 mi · 2 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
12 mi · 14 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 169 South: Kansas City Downtown
1724 ft · 29 sec
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14
Merge slight left
5.2 mi · 7 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Broadway Boulevard
536 ft · 18 sec · Broadway Boulevard
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16
Turn left onto West 6th Street
1438 ft · 26 sec · West 6th Street
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17
Take the ramp slight left toward I 35 North, I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East
721 ft · 16 sec
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18
Continue on George Brett Super Highway
2089 ft · 39 sec · George Brett Super Highway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on George Brett Super Highway
2797 ft · 58 sec · George Brett Super Highway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Bruce R. Watkins Drive
37.8 mi · 45 min · Bruce R. Watkins Drive
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21
Take the exit slight right toward MO 7 South: Clinton
924 ft · 20 sec
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22
Turn slight left onto MO 7 South: Clinton
55.5 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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23
Continue straight
68 mi · 1 hr 19 min
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24
Take the exit slight left toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
954 ft · 23 sec
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25
Merge slight left onto Payne Stewart Highway
4.3 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Branson
2343 ft · 50 sec
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27
Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway
10.7 mi · 13 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
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28
Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway
10.9 mi · 13 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
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29
Continue on US Highway 65
12 mi · 14 min · US Highway 65
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30
Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway
7.5 mi · 9 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
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31
Take the exit slight right toward MO 248, CR 165, Red Route
1043 ft · 22 sec
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32
Keep slight left to continue on Red Route East
79 m · 7 sec
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33
Turn straight onto Branson Landing Boulevard
3251 ft · 2 min · Branson Landing Boulevard
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34
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Veterans Boulevard
47 m · 4 sec · Veterans Boulevard
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35
Exit the roundabout onto Veterans Boulevard
2041 ft · 52 sec · Veterans Boulevard
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36
Continue on South Business 65
52 m · 6 sec · South Business 65
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37
Turn right
19 m · 5 sec
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint Joseph 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 Likely leaving Saint Joseph and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Branson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Saint Joseph to Branson?
The road trip is about 263 miles (423.2 km) and usually takes 05h 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?
Clinton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 131.5 miles from Saint Joseph and 131.4 miles from Branson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 233.3 miles (375.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.7 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 6:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.99 one way or $69.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Saint Joseph and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Branson.
Stop Ideas Near Clinton
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 Clinton.
Warrensburg
Sedalia
Lee's Summit
Independence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Saint Joseph and Branson. Straight-line distance: 233.29 mi (375.45 km).
#1 Saint Joseph
The most populous city in Buchanan County, Missouri.
| Population | 74,074 |
| Coordinates | 39.7686100, -94.8466300 |
| Altitude | 270 |
| 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: 423 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.99 | $69.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.47 | $78.94 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $43.19 | $86.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $49.22 | $98.44 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.