How far is Cape Girardeau, MO from Charleston, MO?
The driving distance from Cape Girardeau, MO to Charleston, MO is about 44.3 miles (71.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 28.1 miles (45.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 00h 52m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Scott County, Missouri, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cape Girardeau and Charleston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape Girardeau and Charleston.
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1
Start on Broadway Street
2497 ft · 56 sec · Broadway Street
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2
Turn left onto North Sprigg Street
1.2 km · 2 min · North Sprigg Street
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3
Turn right onto Shawnee Parkway
1.6 mi · 3 min · Shawnee Parkway
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4
Turn left onto South Kingshighway
1.9 mi · 3 min · South Kingshighway
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South, US 61 South: Sikeston
27.6 mi · 30 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 57 North, US 60 East: Chicago
1264 ft · 31 sec
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7
Merge slight left
10.3 mi · 11 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 57 Business North, MO 105: Charleston, East Prairie
1282 ft · 34 sec
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9
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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10
Turn left onto West Marshall Street
51 m · 3 sec · West Marshall Street
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Marshall Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cape Girardeau and Charleston.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 55 South
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South, US 61 South: Sikeston
27.6 mi · 00h 30m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cape Girardeau and Partly Sunny near Charleston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cape Girardeau to Charleston?
The road trip is about 44.3 miles (71.3 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?
Haywood City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.2 miles from Cape Girardeau and 22.1 miles from Charleston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 28.1 miles (45.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.2 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 4:44 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.88 one way or $11.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cape Girardeau and Partly Sunny near Charleston.
Stop Ideas Near Haywood City
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Haywood City.
Poplar Bluff
Vienna, IL
Fulton
Carbondale station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cape Girardeau and Charleston. Straight-line distance: 28.15 mi (45.31 km).
#1 Cape Girardeau
The second-largest city in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri.
| Population | 41,588 |
| Coordinates | 37.3058800, -89.5181500 |
| Altitude | 108 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Charleston
City in Missouri
| Population | 5,015 |
| Coordinates | 36.9208900, -89.3506300 |
| Altitude | 98 |
| Country | United States |
End: Charleston (-89.35063, 36.92089)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 71 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.88 | $11.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.63 | $13.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.26 | $14.52 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.27 | $16.55 |
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 · Apr 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.