How far is Cape Girardeau, MO from Columbia, MO?
The driving distance from Cape Girardeau, MO to Columbia, MO is about 226.1 miles (363.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 190.6 miles (306.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 27m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 St.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cape Girardeau and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape Girardeau and Columbia.
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1
Start on Broadway Street
2 mi · 4 min · Broadway Street
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2
Turn right onto North Kingshighway
3.6 mi · 6 min · North Kingshighway
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3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
1606 ft · 39 sec
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4
Merge slight left
95.1 mi · 1 hr 42 min
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5
Continue on Rosa Parks Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Rosa Parks Highway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
1279 ft · 27 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 West: Kansas City
118 m · 8 sec
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8
Continue on I 270 West
1.2 km · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
11.5 mi · 14 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
705 ft · 17 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
2009 ft · 49 sec
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12
Continue on I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
674 ft · 10 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
25.4 mi · 31 min · Avenue of the Saints
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14
Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
3047 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
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16
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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17
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
2421 ft · 34 sec · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward MO 163: Downtown
747 ft · 16 sec
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19
Turn left onto North Providence Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Providence Road
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Providence Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cape Girardeau and Columbia.
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 North
Merge slight left
95.1 mi · 01h 42m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Cape Girardeau and Sunny near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cape Girardeau to Columbia?
The road trip is about 226.1 miles (363.8 km) and usually takes 03h 27m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Town and Country is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112.9 miles from Cape Girardeau and 113.2 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 190.6 miles (306.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.09 one way or $60.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cape Girardeau and Sunny near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Town and Country
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 Town and Country.
Kirkwood
Gateway Transportation Center
Alton
Washington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cape Girardeau and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 190.65 mi (306.82 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 Columbia
The most populous city in the state of Missouri.
| Population | 124,769 |
| Coordinates | 38.9517100, -92.3340700 |
| Altitude | 215 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Providence Road (-92.33414, 38.951711)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 364 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $30.09 | $60.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.94 | $67.88 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $37.14 | $74.28 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $42.33 | $84.65 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.