Drive Time
4h 49m
Distance
253.6 mi
408 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
Photo: Valeria Boltneva
The drive from Saint Charles, MO to Branson, MO covers 253.6 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 Jefferson Street, South Fifth Street, I 70 East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.52 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
126.8 miles from Saint Charles, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 49m drive with frequent turns across 253.6 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 4h 49m 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 Saint Charles, MO to Branson, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Fifth Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 70 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 270 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 270 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dougherty Ferry Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Forest Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Highway Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Charles, MO and Branson, MO.
Start on North Second Street
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
Turn left onto South Fifth Street
Take the ramp slight left toward I 70 East
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
Keep slight right to continue on I 270 South: Memphis
Continue on I 270 South: Memphis
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward Dougherty Ferry Road
Turn right onto Dougherty Ferry Road
Continue on Forest Avenue
Turn left
Take the exit slight right
Turn right onto North Highway Drive
Take the ramp straight toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Rolla
Merge slight left onto Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Branson
Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway
Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway
Continue on US Highway 65
Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway
Take the exit slight right toward MO 248, CR 165, Red Route
Keep slight left to continue on Red Route East
Turn straight onto Branson Landing Boulevard
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Veterans Boulevard
Exit the roundabout onto Veterans Boulevard
Continue on South Business 65
Turn right
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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.8 miles or 2h 24m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Branson, MO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Saint Charles, 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 Saint Charles, MO
This is one driving day of about 253.6 miles and 4h 49m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 126.8 mi from Saint Charles, MO · 2h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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 126.8 miles from Saint Charles, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$38.52 one way
$77.04 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $42.46 | $84.93 |
| premium | $4.80 | $47.87 | $95.75 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $56.34 | $112.68 |
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: 88.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.1 | 0 | $26.63 | $12.17 |
| Efficient EV | 63.4 | 0 | $22.19 | $10.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101.4 | 1 | $35.50 | $16.23 |
Gas CO2
89 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
Night in Saint Charles on Saturday
Local time
11:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Night in Branson on Saturday
Local time
11:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
71°F
Cahokia, IL
127 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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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