Origin
Branson, MO
Afternoon in Branson on Sunday
Local time
1:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Branson, MO to St. Louis, MO
Drive Time
4h 43m
Distance
251.7 mi
405 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
Trip Overview
Connecting the entertainment hubs of Branson and St. Louis, this 251.7-mile journey is a straightforward trek across Missouri. You can expect about 4 hours and 43 minutes of travel time, making this a manageable single-day trip for most drivers. With a fuel budget of roughly $38, the route is economically efficient for those looking to traverse the Midwest. You will primarily utilize US Highway 65, the American Legion Memorial Highway, and I-44 to make your way north. While you could break the trip into two days, the drive is well-suited for a direct haul if you prefer to reach your destination without the hassle of a hotel stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
125.9 miles from Branson, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive that keeps you moving efficiently, with 88% of the route consisting of major roadways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-44, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 197.7 miles. Because so much of the journey is spent on interstates, the pace is consistent and predictable rather than winding or technical. Expect a steady, high-speed experience that transitions from the smaller paths near Branson to the heavy-duty flow of the interstate network. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive designed to get you from point A to point B as reliably as possible.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 44 is the longest continuous segment at about 197.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and American Legion Memorial Highway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 65 Bus; MO 76 / South Business 65.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 251.7 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 43 miles (I 44): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
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
5
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
5
43 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
I 44
Merge onto I 44
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
249.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 38m in
Take the exit toward Jefferson Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 289
Toward Jefferson Avenue
5
250.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 41m in
|
Market Street
Turn right onto Market Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 44 | 197.7 mi | 3h 35m |
| American Legion Memorial Highway | 18.6 mi | 21m |
| US Highway 65 | 12 mi | 13m |
| Schoolcraft Freeway | 10.7 mi | 13m |
| Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| South Jefferson Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 197.7 mi, about 3h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Branson, MO and St. Louis, MO.
1
Start on this road
63 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto US 65 Bus; MO 76
169 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Business 65
3
Continue on Red Route
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Veterans Boulevard
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on Red Route
150 ft
·
3 sec
·
Veterans Boulevard
5
Enter roundabout onto Red Route
287 ft
·
8 sec
·
Branson Landing Boulevard
6
Continue on Red Route
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Branson Landing Boulevard
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 65 North: Springfield
8
Merge onto US 65; MO 76
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
9
Continue on US 65
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 65
10
Continue on US 65
11 mi
·
12 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
11
Continue on US 65
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Schoolcraft Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 44 East: Saint Louis
13
Merge onto I 44
198 mi
·
3 hr 35 min
·
I 44
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on I 44
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on I 44
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
16
Continue on I 44
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 289
Toward Jefferson Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Jefferson Avenue
Use the none lane.
19
Turn right onto Market Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Market Street
Use the none lane.
20
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 251.7-mile trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the longest stretch covers 197.7 miles, timing your break toward the middle of that I-44 segment is a smart way to avoid fatigue. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to ensure you arrive in St. Louis with plenty of daylight to spare. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the longer interstate portions, as the $38 cost estimate assumes a steady pace. Since this is a single-day trip, your primary advantage is flexibility; feel free to adjust your departure time based on local traffic patterns to ensure a smoother transition between the two cities.
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 125.9 miles from Branson, MO, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 197.7 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.9 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near St. Louis, 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 251.7 miles and 4h 43m.
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 I 44 for about 197.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 125.9 mi from Branson, MO · 2h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
126 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 125.9 miles from Branson, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 44 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 197.7 miles.
Arriving in St. Louis, MO
The final approach into St. Louis, 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 St. Louis, MO.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.23 one way
$76.46 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $42.14 | $84.29 |
| premium | $4.80 | $47.52 | $95.03 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.92 | $111.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.5 | 0 | $26.43 | $12.08 |
| Efficient EV | 62.9 | 0 | $22.02 | $10.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.7 | 1 | $35.24 | $16.11 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
St. Louis, MO
Afternoon in St. Louis on Sunday
Local time
1:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SE 8 mph
20% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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
16 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 43m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 St. Louis, MO covers 251.7 miles and takes about 4h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 44, American Legion Memorial Highway, US Highway 65. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 125.9 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 $38.23 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 251.7 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 43 miles (I 44): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Branson, MO to St. Louis, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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