How far is Bowling Green, MO from Cape Girardeau, MO?

The driving distance from Bowling Green, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO is about 190 miles (305.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 167.5 miles (269.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
189.96 mi
02h 56m
Flight
167.48 mi
269.54 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bowling Green.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
167.48 mi
Kilometers
269.54 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
189.96 mi
Kilometers
305.71 km
Drive Time
02h 56m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cape Girardeau
Wed, May 13, 12:18 AM CDT
Return by in Bowling Green
Wed, May 13, 3:14 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bowling Green
2026-05-12T21:21
Arrive Cape Girardeau
Wed, May 13, 12:18 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:56 AM to 12:56 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:38 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bowling Green
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Kimmswick
MO

City in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States

From Bowling Green
93.4 mi
01h 28m
To Cape Girardeau
96.6 mi
01h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Tuesday

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 16 mph SW
Destination
59°F
Tonight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Tue, May 12 8:00 PM CDT
Wind
6 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bowling Green and Cape Girardeau.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bowling Green and Cape Girardeau.

  1. 1

    Start on West Main Street

    13 m · 7 sec · West Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Court Street

    3061 ft · 1 min · South Court Street

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route

    77 m · 4 sec

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout

    1 km · 57 sec

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    93 m · 5 sec

  6. 6

    Exit the roundabout

    942 ft · 18 sec

  7. 7

    Take the ramp right

    1065 ft · 26 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    69.6 mi · 1 hr 24 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis

    1829 ft · 39 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 270 South: Memphis

    1691 ft · 31 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    11.5 mi · 14 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road

    1911 ft · 27 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Memphis

    2031 ft · 44 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Rosa Parks Highway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Rosa Parks Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway

    93.1 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward US 61, MO 34, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau, Jackson

    814 ft · 17 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 Business, US 61 South, MO 34 East: Cape Girardeau

    1354 ft · 29 sec

  19. 19

    Continue on North Kingshighway

    3.6 mi · 6 min · North Kingshighway

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Broadway Street

    2 mi · 4 min · Broadway Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bowling Green and Cape Girardeau.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
3 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
93.1 mi · 49%
Avenue of the Saints
69.6 mi · 37%
I 270 South
11.8 mi · 6%
North Kingshighway
3.63 mi · 2%
Broadway Street
2.03 mi · 1%
South Court Street
1.71 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway

Continue on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway

93.1 mi · 01h 40m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.5 mi
167.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kimmswick
01h 28m from Bowling Green
Leave By
12:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Bowling Green and Partly Cloudy near Cape Girardeau.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bowling Green to Cape Girardeau?

The road trip is about 190 miles (305.7 km) and usually takes 02h 56m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Kimmswick is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.4 miles from Bowling Green and 96.6 miles from Cape Girardeau.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 167.5 miles (269.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.27 one way or $50.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Bowling Green and Partly Cloudy near Cape Girardeau.

Stop Ideas Near Kimmswick

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Kimmswick, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kimmswick.

RAIL

Kirkwood

24 mi away
110 West Argonne Dr.
RAIL

Gateway Transportation Center

32 mi away
551 South 16th St.
RAIL

Washington

61 mi away
301 West Front St.
RAIL

Alton

63 mi away
3400 College Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bowling Green and Cape Girardeau. Straight-line distance: 167.48 mi (269.54 km).

Bowling Green

#1 Bowling Green

City in Missouri

Population4,759
Coordinates39.3419900, -91.1951400
Altitude272
CountryUnited States
Cape Girardeau

#2 Cape Girardeau

The second-largest city in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri.

Population41,588
Coordinates37.3058800, -89.5181500
Altitude108
CountryUnited States
Start: West Main Street (-91.19514, 39.341984)
End: Broadway Street (-89.518146, 37.305904)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 306 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.7 gal
25.37 L · about $25.27
Round trip
$50.53
13.4 gal · 50.74 L
Estimated CO2
59.5 kg one way
Round trip: 119.1 kg / 263 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $25.27 $50.53
Mid-grade $4.25 $28.50 $56.99
Premium $4.65 $31.18 $62.36
Diesel $5.30 $35.54 $71.07

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Missouri · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Bowling Green and Cape Girardeau. The current time is 21:21:57.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.