How far is St. Louis, MO from Branson, MO?
The driving distance from St. Louis, MO to Branson, MO is about 252.2 miles (405.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 214.7 miles (345.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 28m 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 44m.
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 Pulaski County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between St. Louis and Branson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Louis and Branson.
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1
Start on Market Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Market Street
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2
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.2 mi · 3 min · South Jefferson Avenue
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3
Take the ramp straight toward I 44 West
1051 ft · 16 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway
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5
Continue on Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
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6
Continue on Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
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7
Continue on Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway
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8
Continue on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
194.7 mi · 3 hr 32 min · Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Branson
1412 ft · 48 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway
11 mi · 14 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
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11
Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway
10.9 mi · 13 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on US Highway 65
12 mi · 14 min · US Highway 65
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13
Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway
7.5 mi · 9 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward MO 248, CR 165, Red Route
1043 ft · 22 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Red Route East
79 m · 7 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Branson Landing Boulevard
3251 ft · 2 min · Branson Landing Boulevard
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Veterans Boulevard
47 m · 4 sec · Veterans Boulevard
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Veterans Boulevard
2041 ft · 52 sec · Veterans Boulevard
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19
Continue on South Business 65
52 m · 6 sec · South Business 65
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20
Turn right
19 m · 5 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between St. Louis and Branson.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Continue on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
195 mi · 03h 32m
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving St. Louis 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 St. Louis to Branson?
The road trip is about 252.2 miles (405.8 km) and usually takes 04h 44m 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?
Saint Robert is a useful midpoint, sitting about 126 miles from St. Louis and 126.1 miles from Branson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 214.7 miles (345.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.5 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 7:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.56 one way or $67.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers around St. Louis and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Branson.
Stop Ideas Near Saint Robert
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 Saint Robert.
Jefferson City
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between St. Louis and Branson. Straight-line distance: 214.68 mi (345.5 km).
#1 St. Louis
The second most populous city in Missouri and the center of the St.
| Population | 315,685 |
| Coordinates | 38.6272700, -90.1978900 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| 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: 406 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.56 | $67.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.85 | $75.70 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.42 | $82.84 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.21 | $94.41 |
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.