Origin
Forsyth, MO
Afternoon in Forsyth on Sunday
Local time
1:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Forsyth, MO to Branson, MO
Drive Time
22m
Distance
14.4 mi
23 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Photo: Valeria Boltneva
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick transition between Forsyth and Branson, Missouri, you are looking at a brief 14.4-mile journey that typically takes about 22 minutes. This trip is perfect for a spontaneous day trip, as it requires no overnight stops and fits easily into a morning or afternoon schedule. You will navigate a mix of roads including US 160, MO F, and the American Legion Memorial Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of just $2, this is an incredibly budget-friendly commute within the Midwest. Because the distance is so short, you have total flexibility to head out whenever your plans allow. It is a straightforward connection that keeps you moving efficiently between these two Missouri locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
7.2 miles from Forsyth, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition from smaller local roads onto the highway. You will spend about 44% of your time on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 6.1 miles specifically on US 160. The road character shifts as you move between the different segments, balancing the feel of rural driving with more standard highway travel. Because the total duration is only 22 minutes, the drive maintains a consistent pace without the monotony of a long-haul interstate trip. You will find that the road surface and traffic flow change predictably as you navigate the transition from Forsyth to Branson.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 160 is the longest continuous segment at about 6.1 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,120 ft
736 ft
Total Climb
593 ft
Total Descent
743 ft
Highest Point
1,120 ft
~5.2 mi in
Elevation Range
384 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 9.6 miles in near MO 76.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 22m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 9.6 miles (MO 76): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 13.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
9.6 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
MO 76
Take the ramp onto MO 76 toward US 65 South: Branson
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward US 65 South: Branson
5
13.1 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward MO 248, CR 165, Red Route
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MO 248, CR 165, Red Route
6
13.3 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Red Route East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Red Route East
4
13.9 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
Red Route / Veterans Boulevard
Enter roundabout onto Red Route / Veterans Boulevard
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
14.4 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
Between Forsyth, MO and Branson, MO, road signs point toward Cr 165, Red Route and Red Route East.
Cr 165
13.1 mi in
|
~19m
Red Route
13.1 mi in
|
~19m
Red Route East
13.3 mi in
|
~19m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 160 | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| MO F | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| American Legion Memorial Highway | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| Branson Landing Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Veterans Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| MO 76 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Ozark Mountain Highroad | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Rockhill Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 160
— 6.1 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forsyth, MO and Branson, MO.
1
Start on Rockhill Drive
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Rockhill Drive
2
Turn slight left onto US 160
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
US 160
3
Turn left onto MO F
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
MO F
4
Continue on MO 76
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Ozark Mountain Highroad
5
Take the ramp onto MO 76
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
MO 76
Toward US 65 South: Branson
6
Merge onto US 65; MO 76
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward MO 248, CR 165, Red Route
8
Keep slight left at fork
260 ft
·
6 sec
Toward Red Route East
9
Turn straight onto Red Route
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Branson Landing Boulevard
10
Enter roundabout onto Red Route
154 ft
·
4 sec
·
Veterans Boulevard
11
Continue on Red Route
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Veterans Boulevard
12
Continue on US 65 Bus; MO 76
169 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Business 65
Use the none lane.
13
Turn right
63 ft
·
4 sec
14
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is such a short 14.4-mile trek, you do not need to worry about complex pacing or multiple rest stops. You can easily complete the entire drive in one go, leaving you plenty of time to explore your destination upon arrival. Given the low $2 fuel cost, you won't need to stress about gas station scouting or high overhead expenses. Try to time your departure to avoid peak local traffic if you prefer a smoother ride, though the 22-minute duration remains manageable regardless of the time of day. A helpful tip for this route is to keep a close eye on your navigation when switching between US 160 and MO F, as the transition is the most active part of your short trip.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 7.2 miles from Forsyth, MO, or about 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.1 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 14.4 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.2 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Branson, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Forsyth, 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 Forsyth, MO
This is one driving day of about 14.4 miles and 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Forsyth, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 160 for about 6.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.2 mi from Forsyth, MO · 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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 14.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 7.2 miles from Forsyth, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Branson, MO
The final approach into Branson, 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 Branson, 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
$2.19 one way
$4.37 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $2.41 | $4.82 |
| premium | $4.80 | $2.72 | $5.44 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.20 | $6.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.3 | 0 | $1.51 | $0.69 |
| Efficient EV | 3.6 | 0 | $1.26 | $0.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.8 | 0 | $2.02 | $0.92 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Branson, MO
Afternoon in Branson on Sunday
Local time
1:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
20 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
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 Forsyth, MO to Branson, MO covers 14.4 miles and takes about 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 160, MO F, American Legion Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.2 miles from Forsyth, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.19 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 22m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.6 miles (MO 76): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 13.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Between Forsyth, MO and Branson, MO, road signs point toward Cr 165, Red Route and Red Route East.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 736 ft to 1,120 ft elevation with about 593 ft of total climbing.
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