Connecting the entertainment hubs of Branson and St. Louis, this 251.7-mile journey is a straightforward trek across Missouri. You can expect about 4 hours and 43 minutes of travel time, making this a manageable single-day trip for most drivers. With a fuel budget of roughly $38, the route is economically efficient for those looking to traverse the Midwest. You will primarily utilize US Highway 65, the American Legion Memorial Highway, and I-44 to make your way north. While you could break the trip into two days, the drive is well-suited for a direct haul if you prefer to reach your destination without the hassle of a hotel stay.
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
125.9 miles from Branson, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
197.7 mi
3h 35m
American Legion Memorial Highway
18.6 mi
21m
US Highway 65
12 mi
13m
Schoolcraft Freeway
10.7 mi
13m
Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
3.5 mi
4m
Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
2.7 mi
3m
Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway
2.3 mi
3m
South Jefferson Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 197.7 mi, about 3h 35m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,417 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,956
Quietest
2 AM
~186 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Branson, MO and St. Louis, MO.
1
Start on this road
63 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 65 Bus; MO 76
169 ft·6 sec·South Business 65
3
Continue on Red Route
0.4 mi·46 sec·Veterans Boulevard
4
Continue on Red Route
150 ft·3 sec·Veterans Boulevard
5
Enter roundabout onto Red Route
287 ft·8 sec·Branson Landing Boulevard
6
Continue on Red Route
0.5 mi·58 sec·Branson Landing Boulevard
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 65 North: Springfield
8
Merge onto US 65; MO 76
7.7 mi·8 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
9
Continue on US 65
12 mi·13 min·US Highway 65
10
Continue on US 65
11 mi·12 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
11
Continue on US 65
11 mi·13 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·54 sec
Toward I 44 East: Saint Louis
13
Merge onto I 44
198 mi·3 hr 35 min·I 44
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 44
2.7 mi·3 min·Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I 44
3.5 mi·4 min·Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
16
Continue on I 44
2.3 mi·3 min·Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 289Toward Jefferson AvenueUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.3 mi·2 min·South Jefferson Avenue
19
Turn right onto Market Street
1.0 mi·1 min·Market Street
20
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 251.7-mile trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the longest stretch covers 197.7 miles, timing your break toward the middle of that I-44 segment is a smart way to avoid fatigue. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to ensure you arrive in St. Louis with plenty of daylight to spare. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the longer interstate portions, as the $38 cost estimate assumes a steady pace. Since this is a single-day trip, your primary advantage is flexibility; feel free to adjust your departure time based on local traffic patterns to ensure a smoother transition between the two cities.
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 125.9 miles from Branson, MO, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 197.7 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 55 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.9 miles or 2h 22m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near St. Louis, 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 251.7 miles and 4h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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.
The longest stretch is on I 44 for about 197.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 249.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 65 Bus; MO 76 / South Business 65
Turn left onto US 65 Bus; MO 76 / South Business 65
Navigation decision point
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|Red Route / Branson Landing Boulevard
Enter roundabout onto Red Route / Branson Landing Boulevard
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
42.4 mi into trip|~51m in
Take the exit toward I 44 East: Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 44 East: Saint Louis
5
43 mi into trip|~52m in|I 44
Merge onto I 44
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
249.2 mi into trip|~4h 38m in
Take the exit toward Jefferson Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 289
Toward Jefferson Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.17 one way
$74.34 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$41.04
$82.07
premium
$4.72
$46.73
$93.47
diesel
$4.80
$47.53
$95.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.5
0
$26.43
$12.08
Efficient EV
62.9
0
$22.02
$10.07
EV Truck/SUV
100.7
1
$35.24
$16.11
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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 as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Branson, MO
Late night
in Branson on Sunday
Local time
5:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
SW 1 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
St. Louis, MO
Late night
in St. Louis on Sunday
Local time
5:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
W 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
89°F
Cuba, MO
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 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 43m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 34.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive that keeps you moving efficiently, with 88% of the route consisting of major roadways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-44, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 197.7 miles. Because so much of the journey is spent on interstates, the pace is consistent and predictable rather than winding or technical. Expect a steady, high-speed experience that transitions from the smaller paths near Branson to the heavy-duty flow of the interstate network. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive designed to get you from point A to point B as reliably as possible.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 197.7 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and American Legion Memorial Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 65 Bus; MO 76 / South Business 65.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 43m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 65 Bus; MO 76 / South Business 65): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Red Route / Branson Landing Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 42.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Branson is in the Ozarks and the southwest region Missouri. Today it is sometimes referred to as a "family-friendly Las Vegas" because of the many shows and attractions, the flashy building decorations, and the neon lights. The "strip", as it has been named, draws people from far and wide.
The Gateway City of St. Louis is the epitome of the modern Midwestern metropolis. Missouri's second-largest city is vibrant but laid-back, populous but navigable, historic but still relevant. The city's planners have created an aesthetically beautiful city, with plenty of green space amidst buildings both old and new, framed by the majestic Mississippi and Missouri rivers. And capping it all is the world's tallest man-made monument, the beautiful and iconic Gateway Arch.
St. Louis is a city of culture and surprisingly inexpensive. Among American cities, only Washington, D.C. has more free attractions for tourists and residents alike. Hotels, restaurants, and even parking garages avoid the premium pricing common in other big cities. Although often overlooked, St. Louis can be an affordable, educational, and fun family getaway.
Top landmarks
•Gateway Arch — monument in St. Louis, Missouri
•Missouri Botanical Garden — non-profit organization in the USA
•Gateway Arch National Park — American National Park in St. Louis, Missouri
The longest stretch is about 197.7 miles on I 44. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 65 Bus; MO 76 / South Business 65): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Red Route / Branson Landing Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 42.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park and Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at St. Louis, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
