How far is Carl Junction, MO from Cape Girardeau, MO?
The driving distance from Carl Junction, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO is about 346.7 miles (558 km), with a travel time of about 05h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 277.8 miles (447 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 52m 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 26m.
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 Howell County, Missouri, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carl Junction and Cape Girardeau.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carl Junction and Cape Girardeau.
-
1
Start on West Pennell Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · West Pennell Street
-
2
Turn right
3.1 mi · 4 min
-
3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Demott Drive
40 m · 3 sec · Demott Drive
-
4
Exit the roundabout onto Demott Drive
2 mi · 3 min · Demott Drive
-
5
Continue on West MacArthur Drive
1.5 km · 2 min · West MacArthur Drive
-
6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
71 m · 3 sec
-
7
Exit the roundabout
3117 ft · 38 sec
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward MO 249 South: Joplin
1 km · 42 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward MO 66, I 44 Business
1495 ft · 39 sec
-
11
Turn left onto East 7th Street
2 mi · 3 min · East 7th Street
-
12
Continue on Cimarron Road
1.4 km · 1 min · Cimarron Road
-
13
Take the ramp slight right toward I 44 East, I 49 North, US 71 North: Springfield, Kansas City
1 km · 1 min
-
14
Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
53.2 mi · 57 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward MO 360 East
1463 ft · 31 sec
-
16
Continue on James River Freeway
14.4 mi · 17 min · James River Freeway
-
17
Continue straight
81.3 mi · 1 hr 35 min
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
90.4 mi · 1 hr 47 min
-
19
Keep slight right
4.8 mi · 6 min
-
20
Turn straight onto North Westwood Boulevard
823 ft · 14 sec · North Westwood Boulevard
-
21
Turn slight left
84 m · 12 sec
-
22
Turn left
756 ft · 16 sec
-
23
Take the ramp right
1102 ft · 27 sec
-
24
Merge slight left
51 mi · 59 min
-
25
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
1793 ft · 44 sec
-
26
Merge slight left
27.4 mi · 29 min
-
27
Keep slight right to continue on US 61, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau
2 mi · 3 min
-
28
Turn right onto Shawnee Parkway
1.6 mi · 3 min · Shawnee Parkway
-
29
Turn left onto South Sprigg Street
1.3 km · 2 min · South Sprigg Street
-
30
Turn right onto Broadway Street
2497 ft · 51 sec · Broadway Street
-
31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carl Junction and Cape Girardeau.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US 60 East
Keep slight left to continue on US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
90.4 mi · 01h 47m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Carl Junction and Mostly Sunny near Cape Girardeau.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carl Junction to Cape Girardeau?
The road trip is about 346.7 miles (558 km) and usually takes 05h 26m 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?
Mountain View is a useful midpoint, sitting about 171.9 miles from Carl Junction and 174.9 miles from Cape Girardeau.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 277.8 miles (447 km), while the road route adds roughly 68.9 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 6:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.16 one way or $92.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 108.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Carl Junction and Mostly Sunny near Cape Girardeau.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carl Junction and Cape Girardeau. Straight-line distance: 277.74 mi (446.98 km).
#1 Carl Junction
City in Jasper County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 8,430 |
| Coordinates | 37.1767200, -94.5655100 |
| Altitude | 273 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cape Girardeau
The second-largest city in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri.
| Population | 41,588 |
| Coordinates | 37.3058800, -89.5181500 |
| Altitude | 108 |
| Country | United States |
End: Broadway Street (-89.518146, 37.305904)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 558 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $46.16 | $92.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $52.06 | $104.11 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $56.96 | $113.93 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $64.92 | $129.84 |
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 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.