How far is Cape Girardeau, MO from Polk, MO?
The driving distance from Cape Girardeau, MO to Polk, MO is about 282.5 miles (454.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 209.3 miles (336.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 24m 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 05h 42m.
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.
Human settlement in Franklin County, Missouri, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cape Girardeau and Polk.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape Girardeau and Polk.
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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
11.7 mi · 18 min
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7
Turn left
27 mi · 38 min
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8
Continue on West Gravois Avenue
1148 ft · 29 sec · West Gravois Avenue
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9
Turn right
1193 ft · 35 sec
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10
Take the exit left toward I 44 West: Rolla
1208 ft · 29 sec
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11
Merge slight left
109.5 mi · 1 hr 58 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward MO 32, MO 5, MO 64: Hartville
932 ft · 20 sec
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13
Turn right onto South Jefferson Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · South Jefferson Avenue
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14
Continue on North Jefferson Street
38 mi · 56 min · North Jefferson Street
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15
Turn left
2.1 mi · 5 min
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cape Girardeau and Polk.
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 44 West
Merge slight left
109 mi · 01h 58m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Cape Girardeau and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Polk.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cape Girardeau to Polk?
The road trip is about 282.5 miles (454.7 km) and usually takes 05h 42m 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?
Oak Grove Village is a useful midpoint, sitting about 141.2 miles from Cape Girardeau and 141.4 miles from Polk.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 209.3 miles (336.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 73.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.60 one way or $75.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Cape Girardeau and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Polk.
Stop Ideas Near Oak Grove Village
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 Oak Grove Village.
Washington
Hermann
Kirkwood
Gateway Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cape Girardeau and Polk. Straight-line distance: 209.26 mi (336.77 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 Polk
County in Missouri, United States
| Population | 732 |
| Coordinates | 37.7292000, -93.2993600 |
| Altitude | 317 |
| Country | United States |
End: Polk (-93.29936, 37.7292)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 455 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.60 | $75.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.40 | $84.80 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.40 | $92.80 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $52.88 | $105.76 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.