How far is Clayton, MO from Cape Girardeau, MO?
The driving distance from Clayton, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO is about 127.2 miles (204.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 102.2 miles (164.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 58m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 and the county seat of Ste.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clayton and Cape Girardeau.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clayton and Cape Girardeau.
-
1
Start on Hillvale Drive
1225 ft · 54 sec · Hillvale Drive
-
2
Turn straight onto Broadview Drive
1536 ft · 1 min · Broadview Drive
-
3
Continue on Broadview Drive
23 m · 8 sec · Broadview Drive
-
4
Turn left onto Clayton Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Clayton Road
-
5
Turn right onto Clayton Avenue
145 m · 17 sec · Clayton Avenue
-
6
Turn right onto McCausland Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · McCausland Avenue
-
7
Continue on Ellendale Avenue
2852 ft · 56 sec · Ellendale Avenue
-
8
Continue on Wellington Avenue
1740 ft · 35 sec · Wellington Avenue
-
9
Continue on Wabash Avenue
1709 ft · 34 sec · Wabash Avenue
-
10
Turn right onto Lansdowne Avenue
651 ft · 25 sec · Lansdowne Avenue
-
11
Turn left onto River Des Peres Boulevard
1878 ft · 40 sec · River Des Peres Boulevard
-
12
Turn right onto Weil Avenue
88 m · 17 sec · Weil Avenue
-
13
Continue on Weil Avenue
605 ft · 21 sec · Weil Avenue
-
14
At the end of the road, turn right onto Chippewa Street
599 ft · 17 sec · Chippewa Street
-
15
Continue on Watson Road
801 ft · 19 sec · Watson Road
-
16
Turn left onto Mackenzie Road
3.3 mi · 7 min · Mackenzie Road
-
17
Turn straight onto Reavis Barracks Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Reavis Barracks Road
-
18
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 South
997 ft · 14 sec
-
19
Merge slight left
99.2 mi · 1 hr 47 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward US 61, MO 34, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau, Jackson
814 ft · 17 sec
-
21
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 Business, US 61 South, MO 34 East: Cape Girardeau
1354 ft · 29 sec
-
22
Continue on North Kingshighway
3.6 mi · 6 min · North Kingshighway
-
23
Turn left onto Broadway Street
2 mi · 4 min · Broadway Street
-
24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clayton 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 South
Merge slight left
99.2 mi · 01h 47m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Clayton and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cape Girardeau.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clayton to Cape Girardeau?
The road trip is about 127.2 miles (204.7 km) and usually takes 01h 58m 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?
Sainte Genevieve is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57.4 miles from Clayton and 69.8 miles from Cape Girardeau.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 102.2 miles (164.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 25 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 2:32 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.93 one way or $33.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Clayton and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cape Girardeau.
Stop Ideas Near Sainte Genevieve
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 Sainte Genevieve.
Du Quoin
Gateway Transportation Center
Kirkwood
Carbondale station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clayton and Cape Girardeau. Straight-line distance: 102.25 mi (164.55 km).
#1 Clayton
Inner-ring suburb of St.
| Population | 16,775 |
| Coordinates | 38.6425500, -90.3237300 |
| Altitude | 173 |
| 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: 205 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.93 | $33.86 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.10 | $38.19 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.90 | $41.79 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.81 | $47.63 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.