How far is Cape Girardeau, MO from Jefferson City, MO?
The driving distance from Cape Girardeau, MO to Jefferson City, MO is about 210.4 miles (338.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 169.3 miles (272.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 21m 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 40m.
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 Jefferson County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cape Girardeau and Jefferson City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape Girardeau and Jefferson City.
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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
84.9 mi · 1 hr 31 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward MO M: Antonia, Barnhart
1759 ft · 44 sec
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6
At the end of the road, turn left
11.8 mi · 18 min
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7
Continue straight
6.3 mi · 10 min
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8
Turn right
2.2 mi · 4 min
-
9
Take the ramp left toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Rolla
1391 ft · 34 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
17 mi · 19 min · Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 50 West: Union, Jefferson City
1271 ft · 27 sec
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12
Merge slight left
61 mi · 1 hr 13 min
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13
Continue straight
1817 ft · 38 sec
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14
Turn right onto County Route 605
1.5 mi · 6 min · County Route 605
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15
Turn right onto County Route 604
1 km · 2 min · County Route 604
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16
Continue on Loose Creek Highway
1 mi · 3 min · Loose Creek Highway
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17
Turn left onto Wolf Ridge Trail
1908 ft · 1 min · Wolf Ridge Trail
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18
Turn right
17.1 mi · 21 min
-
19
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
879 ft · 32 sec · Jefferson Street
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20
Turn left onto West McCarty Street
151 m · 16 sec · West McCarty Street
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21
Turn right onto Washington Street
76 m · 13 sec · Washington Street
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22
Turn right onto East Wall Way
104 m · 25 sec · East Wall Way
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Wall Way
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cape Girardeau and Jefferson City.
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
84.9 mi · 01h 31m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny leaving Cape Girardeau and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Jefferson City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cape Girardeau to Jefferson City?
The road trip is about 210.4 miles (338.6 km) and usually takes 03h 40m 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?
Byrnes Mill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105.6 miles from Cape Girardeau and 104.8 miles from Jefferson City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 169.3 miles (272.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.1 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 9:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.02 one way or $56.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny around Cape Girardeau and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Jefferson City.
Stop Ideas Near Byrnes Mill
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 Byrnes Mill.
Kirkwood
Gateway Transportation Center
Washington
Alton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cape Girardeau and Jefferson City. Straight-line distance: 169.24 mi (272.36 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 Jefferson City
The capital of Missouri.
| Population | 42,708 |
| Coordinates | 38.5767000, -92.1735200 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Wall Way (-92.173431, 38.576776)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 339 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $28.02 | $56.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.60 | $63.20 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $34.58 | $69.16 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $39.41 | $78.82 |
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 24, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.