How far is Charleston, MO from Cape Girardeau, MO?
The driving distance from Charleston, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO is about 43.7 miles (70.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 28.1 miles (45.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 43m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Scott County, Missouri, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charleston and Cape Girardeau.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston and Cape Girardeau.
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1
Start on West Marshall Street
51 m · 7 sec · West Marshall Street
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2
Turn right onto South Main Street
1 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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3
Take the ramp right
1236 ft · 30 sec
-
4
Merge slight left
10 mi · 11 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
1987 ft · 48 sec
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6
Merge slight left
27.1 mi · 29 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on US 61, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau
2 mi · 3 min
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8
Turn right onto Shawnee Parkway
1.6 mi · 3 min · Shawnee Parkway
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9
Turn left onto South Sprigg Street
1.3 km · 2 min · South Sprigg Street
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10
Turn right onto Broadway Street
2497 ft · 51 sec · Broadway Street
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charleston and Cape Girardeau.
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 55 North
Merge slight left
27.1 mi · 00h 29m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Charleston and Sunny near Cape Girardeau.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charleston to Cape Girardeau?
The road trip is about 43.7 miles (70.3 km) and usually takes 00h 43m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Haywood City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.8 miles from Charleston and 21.9 miles from Cape Girardeau.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 28.1 miles (45.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:02 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.81 one way or $11.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Charleston and Sunny near Cape Girardeau.
Stop Ideas Near Haywood City
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 Haywood City.
Poplar Bluff
Vienna, IL
Fulton
Carbondale station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charleston and Cape Girardeau. Straight-line distance: 28.15 mi (45.31 km).
#1 Charleston
City in Missouri
| Population | 5,015 |
| Coordinates | 36.9208900, -89.3506300 |
| Altitude | 98 |
| 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: 70 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.81 | $11.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.55 | $13.10 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.17 | $14.33 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.17 | $16.34 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.