Origin
Branson, MO
Late night in Branson on Monday
Local time
3:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 10m
★
6 AM
3h 22m
8 AM
3h 46m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 28m
3 PM
3h 32m
5 PM
3h 45m
8 PM
3h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
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 41m 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.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Business 65 is one of the defining roads on this drive.
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?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Branson, MO to Jefferson City, MO is easy. At 3h 22m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Branson, MO to Jefferson City, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Business 65 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Veterans Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Branson Landing Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 65 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| American Legion Memorial Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 65 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Schoolcraft Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 44 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
South Business 65
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Branson, MO and Jefferson City, MO.
1
Start on the route
62 ft
·
10 sec
·
the route
2
Turn left onto South Business 65
171 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Business 65
3
Continue on Veterans Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Veterans Boulevard
4
Continue on Veterans Boulevard
151 ft
·
4 sec
·
Veterans Boulevard
5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Branson Landing Boulevard
289 ft
·
8 sec
·
Branson Landing Boulevard
6
Exit the roundabout onto Branson Landing Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Branson Landing Boulevard
7
Take the ramp straight toward US 65 North: Springfield
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
US 65 North: Springfield
8
Merge slight left onto American Legion Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
9
Continue on US Highway 65
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 65
10
Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway
11 mi
·
12 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
11
Continue on Schoolcraft Freeway
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Schoolcraft Freeway
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 44 East: Saint Louis
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
I 44 East: Saint Louis
13
Merge slight left
46 mi
·
49 min
14
Take the exit slight right toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
15
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Jefferson Avenue
16
Continue straight
24 mi
·
29 min
17
Take the exit slight right toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, Jefferson City
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, Jefferson City
18
Turn right
31 mi
·
35 min
19
Turn straight
26 mi
·
29 min
20
Take the exit slight right toward US 50 Business
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
US 50 Business
21
Keep slight right
157 ft
·
4 sec
22
Turn right onto Missouri Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Missouri Boulevard
23
Turn right onto West McCarty Street
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
West McCarty Street
24
Turn left onto Washington Street
249 ft
·
13 sec
·
Washington Street
25
Turn right onto East Wall Way
341 ft
·
25 sec
·
East Wall Way
26
Arrive at your destination
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 41m into the drive.
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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.3 miles or 1h 41m 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 45m
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.3 mi from Branson, MO · 1h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.8 | 0 | $18.12 | $8.28 |
| Efficient EV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.10 | $6.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69 | 0 | $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.
Destination
Jefferson City, MO
Late night in Jefferson City on Monday
Local time
3:40 AM
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 South Business 65, Veterans Boulevard, Branson Landing Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
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.
The drive from Branson, MO to Jefferson City, MO is easy. At 3h 22m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Branson, MO to Jefferson City, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Branson, MO to Jefferson City, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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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