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

The driving distance from Cape Girardeau, MO to University City, MO is about 115.6 miles (186.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 102.8 miles (165.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 37m 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
115.64 mi
02h 18m
Flight
102.74 mi
165.35 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
102.74 mi
Kilometers
165.35 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
115.64 mi
Kilometers
186.11 km
Drive Time
02h 18m

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 02h 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in University City
Thu, May 7, 10:59 AM CDT
Return by in Cape Girardeau
Thu, May 7, 1:17 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cape Girardeau
2026-05-07T08:40
Arrive University City
Thu, May 7, 10:59 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:19 AM to 12:19 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:52 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Bloomsdale
MO

City in Sainte Genevieve County, Missouri, United States

From Cape Girardeau
57.8 mi
01h 09m
To University City
57.8 mi
01h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
67°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 3 mph NNW
Destination
69°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cape Girardeau and University 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

    4.3 mi · 5 min · Rosa Parks Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward Reavis Barracks Road

    742 ft · 24 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Reavis Barracks Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · Reavis Barracks Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Mackenzie Road

    3.2 mi · 7 min · Mackenzie Road

  9. 9

    Turn slight right onto Watson Road

    679 ft · 14 sec · Watson Road

  10. 10

    Continue on Chippewa Street

    924 ft · 25 sec · Chippewa Street

  11. 11

    Turn right

    653 ft · 22 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto River Des Peres Boulevard

    2889 ft · 1 min · River Des Peres Boulevard

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Lansdowne Avenue

    665 ft · 25 sec · Lansdowne Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Wabash Avenue

    1841 ft · 37 sec · Wabash Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on Wellington Avenue

    1744 ft · 35 sec · Wellington Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on Ellendale Avenue

    2847 ft · 57 sec · Ellendale Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on McCausland Avenue

    1.8 mi · 3 min · McCausland Avenue

  18. 18

    Continue on South Skinker Boulevard

    1.6 mi · 3 min · South Skinker Boulevard

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Delmar Boulevard

    2613 ft · 1 min · Delmar Boulevard

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Kingsland Avenue

    30 m · 6 sec · Kingsland Avenue

  21. 21

    Continue on Kingsland Avenue

    53 m · 13 sec · Kingsland Avenue

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Kingsland Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
22 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
95.4 mi · 82%
Rosa Parks Highway
4.29 mi · 4%
North Kingshighway
3.63 mi · 3%
Mackenzie Road
3.25 mi · 3%
Broadway Street
2 mi · 2%
McCausland Avenue
1.75 mi · 2%
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 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
02h 18m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.8 mi
102.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bloomsdale
01h 09m from Cape Girardeau
Leave By
1:52 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Cape Girardeau and Sunny near University City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 115.6 miles (186.1 km) and usually takes 02h 18m 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?

Bloomsdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57.8 miles from Cape Girardeau and 57.8 miles from University City.

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

The direct path is about 102.8 miles (165.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:52 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.39 one way or $30.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Bloomsdale

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

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

RAIL

Kirkwood

66 mi away
110 West Argonne Dr.
RAIL

Gateway Transportation Center

68 mi away
551 South 16th St.
RAIL

Du Quoin

86 mi away
20 North Chestnut St.
RAIL

Carbondale station

93 mi away
401 South Illinois St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cape Girardeau and University City. Straight-line distance: 102.74 mi (165.35 km).

Cape Girardeau

#1 Cape Girardeau

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

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

#2 University City

Suburb in St.

Population34,165
Coordinates38.6558800, -90.3092800
Altitude161
CountryUnited States
Start: Cape Girardeau (-89.51815, 37.30588)
End: University City (-90.30928, 38.65588)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 186 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.08 gal
15.45 L · about $15.39
Round trip
$30.77
8.16 gal · 30.9 L
Estimated CO2
36.3 kg one way
Round trip: 72.5 kg / 160 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $15.39 $30.77
Mid-grade $4.25 $17.35 $34.70
Premium $4.65 $18.99 $37.98
Diesel $5.30 $21.64 $43.28

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 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Cape Girardeau and University City. The current time is 08:40:10.

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.