How far is Center, MO from Cape Girardeau, MO?
The driving distance from Center, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO is about 218 miles (350.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 187.1 miles (301.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 40m 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 20m.
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 Saint Louis County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Center and Cape Girardeau.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Center and Cape Girardeau.
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1
Start on East Lamb Street
31 m · 7 sec · East Lamb Street
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2
Turn right onto South Public Street
94 m · 9 sec · South Public Street
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3
Turn right
8.3 mi · 9 min
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4
Take the exit right
1338 ft · 37 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
90.4 mi · 1 hr 48 min · Avenue of the Saints
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
1829 ft · 39 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 270 South: Memphis
1691 ft · 31 sec
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8
Merge slight left
11.5 mi · 14 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
1911 ft · 27 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Memphis
2031 ft · 44 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Rosa Parks Highway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Rosa Parks Highway
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12
Continue on Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
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13
Continue on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
93.1 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 61, MO 34, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau, Jackson
814 ft · 17 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 Business, US 61 South, MO 34 East: Cape Girardeau
1354 ft · 29 sec
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16
Continue on North Kingshighway
3.6 mi · 6 min · North Kingshighway
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17
Turn left onto Broadway Street
2 mi · 4 min · Broadway Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Center and Cape Girardeau.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Continue on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
93.1 mi · 01h 40m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Center and Mostly Cloudy near Cape Girardeau.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Center to Cape Girardeau?
The road trip is about 218 miles (350.8 km) and usually takes 03h 20m 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?
Sunset Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 107.2 miles from Center and 110.7 miles from Cape Girardeau.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 187.1 miles (301.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.9 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 10:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.00 one way or $58.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Center and Mostly Cloudy near Cape Girardeau.
Stop Ideas Near Sunset Hills
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 Sunset Hills.
Kirkwood
Gateway Transportation Center
Alton
Washington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Center and Cape Girardeau. Straight-line distance: 187.08 mi (301.07 km).
#1 Center
City in Ralls County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 505 |
| Coordinates | 39.5081000, -91.5287700 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| 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: 351 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.00 | $58.00 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $32.71 | $65.41 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $35.79 | $71.58 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $40.79 | $81.58 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.