How far is Cape Girardeau, MO from Kansas City, MO?

Fastest route

The fastest route from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, USA to Kansas City, Missouri, USA is approximately 349 miles and takes about 5 hours and 8 minutes. The route includes highways such as I-55 N and I-70 W.

Directions

  1. Get on I-55 N: Head west on Broadway St toward Main St. Pass by Dollar General (on the right in 0.5 mi). Turn right onto N Kingshighway St. Use the right lane to take the ramp onto I-55 N.
  2. Continue on I-55 N: Drive on I-55 N until you reach I-70 W.
  3. Take exit 2P: Take exit 2P from I-670 W.
  4. Merge onto I-64 W/US-40 W/US-61 N: Take exit 196 for I-270 W toward Kansas City. Take exit 12 to merge onto I-64 W/US-40 W/US-61 N toward Wentzville.
  5. Merge onto I-70 W/US-40 W: Take exit 1A on the left to merge onto I-70 W/US-40 W toward Kansas City.
  6. Keep left at the fork: Continue on I-70 W. Use the 2nd from the right lane to keep left at the fork.
  7. Take exit 2P toward 13th St/Downtown: Continue on I-670 W and follow signs for I-70 Alt/I-35 S/Topeka/Wichita/13th St. Take exit 2P toward 13th St/Downtown. Continue on E 13th St to your destination.

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🚗 Make sure to follow the directions carefully to stay on the fastest route.
  • ⛽ Plan for necessary fuel stops along the way.
  • 🍽️ Consider taking breaks for meals or rest at appropriate locations.
  • 📱 Use navigation apps or GPS devices to assist you during the journey.
  • 🚧 Stay updated on traffic conditions to adjust your route if needed.
  • 🛣️ Enjoy the scenic views and attractions along the way.
  • 📚 Familiarize yourself with the local traffic regulations and laws.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
349.24 mi
05h 15m
Flight
301.36 mi
484.99 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cape Girardeau.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
301.36 mi
Kilometers
484.99 km
Flight Time
00h 36m

Driving Distance

Road route
349.24 mi
Kilometers
562.05 km
Drive Time
05h 15m

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 05h 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kansas City
Sat, May 2, 7:42 AM CDT
Return by in Cape Girardeau
Sat, May 2, 12:57 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cape Girardeau
2026-05-02T02:26
Arrive Kansas City
Sat, May 2, 7:42 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:15 AM to 1:15 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:30 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cape Girardeau
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
New Florence
MO

City in Missouri, United States

From Cape Girardeau
174.4 mi
02h 37m
To Kansas City
174.9 mi
02h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph N
Destination
65°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cape Girardeau and Kansas City.

  1. 1

    Start on Broadway Street

    2 mi · 4 min · Broadway Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Kingshighway

    3.6 mi · 6 min · North Kingshighway

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North: Saint Louis

    1606 ft · 39 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    95.1 mi · 1 hr 42 min

  5. 5

    Continue on Rosa Parks Highway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Rosa Parks Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago

    1279 ft · 27 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 270 West: Kansas City

    118 m · 8 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on I 270 West

    1.2 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    11.5 mi · 14 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis

    705 ft · 17 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville

    2009 ft · 49 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville

    674 ft · 10 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    25.4 mi · 31 min · Avenue of the Saints

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City

    3047 ft · 1 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway

    80.7 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

    2 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

  18. 18

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  19. 19

    Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

    54.4 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

  20. 20

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  21. 21

    Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  22. 22

    Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway

  23. 23

    Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  24. 24

    Continue on George Brett Super Highway

    6.8 mi · 9 min · George Brett Super Highway

  25. 25

    Keep slight left to continue on I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita

    1120 ft · 21 sec

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight right toward 13th Street, Downtown

    905 ft · 24 sec

  27. 27

    Continue on East 13th Street

    1313 ft · 35 sec · East 13th Street

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Oak Street

    139 m · 13 sec · Oak Street

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Oak Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
29 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
95.4 mi · 27%
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi · 23%
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 16%
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
54.3 mi · 16%
Avenue of the Saints
25.4 mi · 7%
I 270 West
12.5 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 15m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+47.8 mi
301.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
New Florence
02h 37m from Cape Girardeau
Leave By
6:30 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Cape Girardeau and Mostly Sunny near Kansas City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cape Girardeau to Kansas City?

The road trip is about 349.2 miles (562 km) and usually takes 05h 15m 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?

New Florence is a useful midpoint, sitting about 174.4 miles from Cape Girardeau and 174.9 miles from Kansas City.

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

The direct path is about 301.4 miles (485 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.8 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 6:30 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.46 one way or $92.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cape Girardeau and Mostly Sunny near Kansas City.

Stop Ideas Near New Florence

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

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

RAIL

Hermann

23 mi away
Wharf & Gutenberg Sts.
RAIL

Washington

54 mi away
301 West Front St.
RAIL

Jefferson City

73 mi away
101 Jefferson Street
RAIL

Kirkwood

97 mi away
110 West Argonne Dr.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cape Girardeau and Kansas City. Straight-line distance: 301.36 mi (484.99 km).

Cape Girardeau

#1 Cape Girardeau

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

Population41,588
Coordinates37.3058800, -89.5181500
Altitude108
CountryUnited States
Kansas City

#2 Kansas City

The third most populous city in Missouri and the center of the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Population495,327
Coordinates39.0997300, -94.5785700
Altitude274
CountryUnited States
Start: Broadway Street (-89.518146, 37.305904)
End: Oak Street (-94.578571, 39.099732)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 562 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)11h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
12.32 gal
46.65 L · about $46.46
Round trip
$92.92
24.64 gal · 93.3 L
Estimated CO2
109.5 kg one way
Round trip: 219 kg / 483 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $46.46 $92.92
Mid-grade $4.25 $52.40 $104.79
Premium $4.65 $57.34 $114.67
Diesel $5.30 $65.35 $130.69

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Cape Girardeau and Kansas City. The current time is 02:26:42.

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.