How far is Cape Girardeau, MO from Dexter, MO?

The driving distance from Cape Girardeau, MO to Dexter, MO is about 57.5 miles (92.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 42.8 miles (68.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 18m 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
57.48 mi
01h 09m
Flight
42.78 mi
68.84 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cape Girardeau.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
42.78 mi
Kilometers
68.84 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
57.48 mi
Kilometers
92.5 km
Drive Time
01h 09m

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 01h 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Dexter
Sun, Apr 12, 6:50 AM CDT
Return by in Cape Girardeau
Sun, Apr 12, 7:59 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cape Girardeau
2026-04-12T05:41
Arrive Dexter
Sun, Apr 12, 6:50 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:09 AM to 11:09 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cape Girardeau
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
Sargent
MO

City in Missouri, United States of America

From Cape Girardeau
28.8 mi
00h 34m
To Dexter
28.8 mi
00h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 16 mph S
Destination
81°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 18 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cape Girardeau and Dexter.

  1. 1

    Start on Broadway Street

    2497 ft · 56 sec · Broadway Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Sprigg Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · North Sprigg Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Shawnee Parkway

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Shawnee Parkway

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South Kingshighway

    1.9 mi · 3 min · South Kingshighway

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South, US 61 South: Sikeston

    27.2 mi · 29 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff

    2865 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    22.6 mi · 26 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 25, US 60 Business: Dexter, Bloomfield

    1579 ft · 41 sec

  9. 9

    Turn left

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Turn right

    2184 ft · 49 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto North Walnut Street

    1341 ft · 37 sec · North Walnut Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Walnut Street

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
27.2 mi · 47%
US 60 West
23.1 mi · 40%
South Kingshighway
1.92 mi · 3%
Shawnee Parkway
1.61 mi · 3%
North Sprigg Street
0.77 mi · 1%
Broadway Street
0.47 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 55 South

Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South, US 61 South: Sikeston

27.2 mi · 00h 29m

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
01h 09m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.7 mi
42.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sargent
00h 34m from Cape Girardeau
Leave By
4:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Cape Girardeau and Partly Sunny near Dexter.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cape Girardeau to Dexter?

The road trip is about 57.5 miles (92.5 km) and usually takes 01h 09m 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?

Sargent is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.8 miles from Cape Girardeau and 28.8 miles from Dexter.

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

The direct path is about 42.8 miles (68.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.7 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 4:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.66 one way or $15.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cape Girardeau and Partly Sunny near Dexter.

Stop Ideas Near Sargent

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Sargent, 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 Sargent.

RAIL

Fulton

69 mi away
21 Newton Rd.
BUS

Vienna, IL

79 mi away
504 West Vine Street
RAIL

Poplar Bluff

81 mi away
400 South Main St.
BUS

Paducah, KY

84 mi away
2719 Irvin Cobb Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cape Girardeau and Dexter. Straight-line distance: 42.78 mi (68.84 km).

Cape Girardeau

#1 Cape Girardeau

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

Population41,588
Coordinates37.3058800, -89.5181500
Altitude108
CountryUnited States
Dexter

#2 Dexter

City in Stoddard County, Missouri, United States

Population7,839
Coordinates36.7958900, -89.9578700
Altitude113
CountryUnited States
Start: Cape Girardeau (-89.51815, 37.30588)
End: Dexter (-89.95787, 36.79589)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 93 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.03 gal
7.68 L · about $7.66
Round trip
$15.31
4.06 gal · 15.36 L
Estimated CO2
18 kg one way
Round trip: 36.1 kg / 80 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.66 $15.31
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.63 $17.27
Premium $4.65 $9.45 $18.90
Diesel $5.30 $10.77 $21.53

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

There is no time difference between Cape Girardeau and Dexter. The current time is 05:41:00.

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.