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Trip from O'Fallon, MO to Branson, MO

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

4h 49m

Distance

247.2 mi

398 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 36m ★
6 AM
4h 49m
8 AM
5h 16m
10 AM
4h 59m
12 PM
4h 56m
3 PM
5h 0m
5 PM
5h 15m
8 PM
4h 41m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown O'Fallon, MO, MO

O'Fallon, MO

Wikimedia Commons

town in Taney County, Missouri, United States

Branson, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from O'Fallon, MO to Branson, MO covers 247.2 miles and takes about 4h 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 44, American Legion Memorial Highway, MO 100 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 170.7 miles on I 44. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.65 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

123.6 miles from O'Fallon, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 4h 49m highway drive covering 247.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 44 and American Legion Memorial Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 170.7 miles on I 44.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 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 170.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and American Legion Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 247.2 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: at 7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.7 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

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

6
7 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the ramp toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South
7
11 mi into trip | ~17m in

Take the exit toward Chesterfield Airport Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 14 Toward Chesterfield Airport Road
5
19.7 mi into trip | ~33m in

Enter roundabout toward MO 100 West: Gray Summit

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Toward MO 100 West: Gray Summit
5
33.2 mi into trip | ~52m in

Take the exit toward I 44 West, US 50 West: St. Clair

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

Toward I 44 West, US 50 West: St. Clair
6
246.1 mi into trip | ~4h 46m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Red Route East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward Red Route East

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 44 170.7 mi 3h 3m
American Legion Memorial Highway 18.4 mi 21m
MO 100 13.3 mi 18m
US Highway 65 12 mi 13m
Schoolcraft Freeway 11 mi 13m
MO K 6.5 mi 11m
MO 109 4.7 mi 7m
Avenue of the Saints 3.7 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 44 — 170.7 mi, about 3h 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between O'Fallon, MO and Branson, MO.

1

Start on this road

25 ft · 7 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto South Main Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
3

Continue on MO K

3.1 mi · 5 min · MO K
Use the left lane.
4

Continue on MO K

3.4 mi · 5 min · MO K
Use the straight lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South Use the slight right lane.
6

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61

3.7 mi · 4 min · Avenue of the Saints
7

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 57 sec
Exit 14 Toward Chesterfield Airport Road Use the slight right lane.
8

Continue on Chesterfield Airport Road

361 ft · 6 sec · Chesterfield Airport Road
9

Turn right

211 ft · 5 sec
Toward Olive Street Road
10

Turn right onto Olive Street Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Olive Street Road
11

Continue on North Eatherton Road

2.4 mi · 4 min · North Eatherton Road
12

Enter roundabout onto MO 109

70 ft · 1 sec · MO 109
13

Continue on MO 109

4.3 mi · 6 min · MO 109
14

Enter roundabout onto MO 109

94 ft · 2 sec · MO 109
15

Continue on MO 109

0.4 mi · 44 sec · MO 109
16

Enter roundabout

76 ft · 1 sec
Toward MO 100 West: Gray Summit
17

Continue

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Toward MO 100 West: Gray Summit
18

Merge onto MO 100

13 mi · 18 min · MO 100
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec
Toward I 44 West, US 50 West: St. Clair
20

Merge onto I 44; US 50

171 mi · 3 hr 3 min · I 44; US 50
Use the straight lane.
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec
Exit 82A Toward US 65 South: Branson
22

Merge onto US 65

11 mi · 13 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Continue on US 65

11 mi · 12 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
24

Continue on US 65

12 mi · 13 min · US Highway 65
25

Continue on US 65

7.5 mi · 8 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
26

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward MO 248, CR 165, Red Route
27

Keep slight left at fork

260 ft · 6 sec
Toward Red Route East
28

Turn straight onto Red Route

0.6 mi · 1 min · Branson Landing Boulevard
29

Enter roundabout onto Red Route

154 ft · 4 sec · Veterans Boulevard
30

Continue on Red Route

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Veterans Boulevard
31

Continue on US 65 Bus; MO 76

169 ft · 6 sec · South Business 65
32

Turn right

63 ft · 4 sec
33

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 123.6 miles from O'Fallon, MO, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 170.7 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 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 123.6 miles or 2h 29m 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 54m

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 O'Fallon, 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 O'Fallon, MO

This is one driving day of about 247.2 miles and 4h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from O'Fallon, 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 170.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 123.6 mi from O'Fallon, MO · 2h 29m into the drive

archaeological site near East St. Louis, Illinois, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cahokia, IL

124 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

Cahokia, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Cahokia, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 123.6 miles from O'Fallon, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 44 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 170.7 miles.

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.

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

National Battlefield

Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 213.1
View on nps.gov
Gateway Arch National Park

Gateway Arch National Park

National Park

Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour $19 near mile 17
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.65 one way

$77.29 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $42.43 $84.87
premium $4.89 $47.57 $95.14
diesel $5.61 $54.58 $109.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 86.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 74.2 0 $25.96 $11.87
Efficient EV 61.8 0 $21.63 $9.89
EV Truck/SUV 98.9 1 $34.61 $15.82

Gas CO2

86 kg

EV CO2

29 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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

O'Fallon, MO

Afternoon in O'Fallon on Tuesday

Local time

2:45 PM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Branson, MO

Afternoon in Branson on Tuesday

Local time

2:45 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

5 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 49m 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 O'Fallon, MO to Branson, MO covers 247.2 miles and takes about 4h 49m 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, MO 100. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 123.6 miles from O'Fallon, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.65 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 is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 247.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.7 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from O'Fallon, MO to Branson, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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