Trip from Branson, MO to Jefferson City, MO

Drive Time

3h 22m

Distance

172.6 mi

278 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Branson, MO

Valeria Boltneva

Jefferson City, MO

life vibes

Trip Overview

Traveling from Branson to Jefferson City covers 172.6 miles of Missouri heartland, a journey that typically takes 3 hours and 22 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a straightforward highway-focused drive, it works perfectly as a one-day trip, allowing you to reach the state capital without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $26 for fuel to complete the transit. Navigating primarily via US 54, I-44, and MO 5, you will remain within the Midwest throughout the entire trip. It is an efficient connection between two distinct Missouri hubs, offering a reliable path for travelers looking to move between these regions without unnecessary detours.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

86.3 miles from Branson, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a drive defined by its efficiency, with 87% of your time spent on highways. The route is characterized by a mix of interstate transit and state highway travel, providing a consistent pace for the majority of the 3 hour and 22 minute duration. You will encounter your longest stretch of uninterrupted driving during a 57.1-mile segment on US 54, which allows you to settle into a comfortable rhythm. As you transition between the primary roads, the character of the pavement shifts from major thoroughfares to regional connectors. This combination keeps the drive feeling productive and focused rather than repetitive.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 54 is the longest continuous segment at about 57.1 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,471 ft 615 ft

Total Climb

1,032 ft

Total Descent

1,178 ft

Highest Point

1,471 ft

~50.4 mi in

Elevation Range

857 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 54 and I 44. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 65 Bus; MO 76 / South Business 65.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 172.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 65 Bus; MO 76 / South Business 65): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Red Route / Branson Landing Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 89 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 65 Bus; MO 76 / South Business 65

Turn left onto US 65 Bus; MO 76 / South Business 65

Navigation decision point

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | Red Route / Branson Landing Boulevard

Enter roundabout onto Red Route / Branson Landing Boulevard

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

89 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in

Take the exit toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 129 Toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville

89.2 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in | MO 5; MO 32; MO 64 / South Jefferson Avenue

Turn left onto MO 5; MO 32; MO 64 / South Jefferson Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

172 mi into trip | ~3h 20m in | US 50 Business / Missouri Boulevard

Turn right onto US 50 Business / Missouri Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / none lanes.

Towns Along This Route

Between Branson, MO and Jefferson City, MO, road signs point toward Nevada and Osage Beach.

Nevada

114.5 mi in | ~2h 13m

Osage Beach

114.5 mi in | ~2h 13m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 54	57.1 mi	1h 5m
I 44	46 mi	49m
MO 5	23.7 mi	29m
American Legion Memorial Highway	18.6 mi	21m
US Highway 65	12 mi	13m
Schoolcraft Freeway	10.7 mi	13m
South Jefferson Avenue	1.6 mi	2m
Branson Landing Boulevard	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: US 54 — 57.1 mi, about 1h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Branson, MO and Jefferson City, MO.

Start on this road

63 ft · 9 sec · this road

Turn left onto US 65 Bus; MO 76

169 ft · 6 sec · South Business 65

Continue on Red Route

0.4 mi · 46 sec · Veterans Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Continue on Red Route

150 ft · 3 sec · Veterans Boulevard

Enter roundabout onto Red Route

287 ft · 8 sec · Branson Landing Boulevard

Continue on Red Route

0.5 mi · 58 sec · Branson Landing Boulevard

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Toward US 65 North: Springfield

Merge onto US 65; MO 76

7.7 mi · 8 min · American Legion Memorial Highway

Continue on US 65

12 mi · 13 min · US Highway 65

Continue on US 65

11 mi · 12 min · American Legion Memorial Highway

Continue on US 65

11 mi · 13 min · Schoolcraft Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 54 sec

Toward I 44 East: Saint Louis

Merge onto I 44

46 mi · 49 min · I 44

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Exit 129 Toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville

Turn left onto MO 5; MO 32; MO 64

1.6 mi · 2 min · South Jefferson Avenue

Use the none lane.

Continue on MO 5

24 mi · 29 min · MO 5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, Jefferson City

Turn right onto US 54

31 mi · 35 min · US 54

Use the none / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto US 54

26 mi · 29 min · US 54

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward US 50 Business

Keep slight right at fork

158 ft · 4 sec

Turn right onto US 50 Business

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Missouri Boulevard

Use the left / none lanes.

Turn right onto West McCarty Street

0.3 mi · 50 sec · West McCarty Street

Turn left onto Washington Street

250 ft · 12 sec · Washington Street

Turn right onto East Wall Way

341 ft · 25 sec · East Wall Way

Arrive at destination

East Wall Way

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 172.6-mile trip, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid any potential congestion during peak transit hours. Since the route includes one recommended stop, use this opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel midway, keeping your $26 fuel budget on track. Because the drive is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace if weather or traffic conditions change. A specific tip for this route is to stay alert during the transition between I-44 and US 54, as these highway changes require careful navigation. Plan for a single well-timed break to ensure you arrive in Jefferson City refreshed.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 86.3 miles from Branson, MO, or about 1h 38m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.1 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles or 1h 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 86.3 miles or 1h 38m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 44m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson City, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Branson, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Branson, MO

This is one driving day of about 172.6 miles and 3h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Branson, MO.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on US 54 for about 57.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 86.3 mi from Branson, MO · 1h 38m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ash Flat, AR

86 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Ash Flat, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bentonville, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 86.3 miles from Branson, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Jefferson City, MO

The final approach into Jefferson City, MO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Jefferson City, MO.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.22 one way

$52.43 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$28.90	$57.80
premium	$4.80	$32.58	$65.17
diesel	$5.64	$38.35	$76.69

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	51.8	$18.12	$8.28
Efficient EV	43.2	$15.10	$6.90
EV Truck/SUV	69	$24.16	$11.05

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Branson, MO

Afternoon in Branson on Sunday

Local time

2:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jefferson City, MO

Afternoon in Jefferson City on Sunday

Local time

2:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

7 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 22m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Branson, MO to Jefferson City, MO covers 172.6 miles and takes about 3h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 54, I 44, MO 5. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 86.3 miles from Branson, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.22 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Between Branson, MO and Jefferson City, MO, road signs point toward Nevada and Osage Beach.

Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 615 ft to 1,471 ft elevation with about 1,032 ft of total climbing.

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Trip from Branson, MO to Jefferson City, MO

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Jefferson City, MO

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Branson, MO

Jefferson City, MO

Same local time

7 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 22m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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