Drive Time
3h 47m
Distance
252.6 mi
406 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
Photo: Amicia Short
The drive from Branson, MO to St. Louis, MO covers 252.6 miles and takes about 3h 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Business 65, Veterans Boulevard, Branson Landing Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.50 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
126.3 miles from Branson, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 47m drive with frequent turns across 252.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 47m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Branson, MO to St. Louis, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| 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.
Step-by-step road directions between Branson, MO and St. Louis, MO.
Start on the route
Turn left onto South Business 65
Continue on Veterans Boulevard
Continue on Veterans Boulevard
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Branson Landing Boulevard
Exit the roundabout onto Branson Landing Boulevard
Take the ramp straight toward US 65 North: Springfield
Merge slight left onto American Legion Memorial Highway
Continue on US Highway 65
Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway
Continue on Schoolcraft Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward I 44 East: Saint Louis
Merge slight left
Continue on Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
Continue on Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
Continue on Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway
Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson Avenue
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
Turn right onto Market Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.3 miles or 1h 53m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near St. Louis, MO than in the middle of the route.
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 252.6 miles and 3h 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 126.3 mi from Branson, MO · 1h 53m 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 126.3 miles from Branson, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$37.50 one way
$75.00 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $42.30 | $84.59 |
| premium | $4.65 | $46.28 | $92.57 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $52.75 | $105.50 |
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: 88.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.8 | 0 | $26.52 | $12.12 |
| Efficient EV | 63.2 | 0 | $22.10 | $10.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101 | 1 | $35.36 | $16.17 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Branson on Saturday
Local time
1:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in St. Louis on Saturday
Local time
1:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
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
Along the Route
59°F
Cahokia, IL
126 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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