How far is Dexter, MO from Cape Girardeau, MO?

The driving distance from Dexter, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO is about 57.9 miles (93.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 42.8 miles (68.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 56m 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
57.89 mi
00h 58m
Flight
42.78 mi
68.84 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Dexter.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
42.78 mi
Kilometers
68.84 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
57.89 mi
Kilometers
93.17 km
Drive Time
00h 58m

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 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cape Girardeau
Sat, May 2, 5:59 AM CDT
Return by in Dexter
Sat, May 2, 6:58 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Dexter
2026-05-02T05:01
Arrive Cape Girardeau
Sat, May 2, 5:59 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:58 AM to 10:58 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:34 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Dexter
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Sargent
MO

City in Missouri, United States of America

From Dexter
28.9 mi
00h 29m
To Cape Girardeau
29 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph N
Destination
63°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dexter and Cape Girardeau.

  1. 1

    Start on North Walnut Street

    1341 ft · 39 sec · North Walnut Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right

    2184 ft · 50 sec

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left

    1.3 mi · 2 min

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right

    16.1 mi · 19 min

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    7.1 mi · 8 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Saint Louis

    1793 ft · 44 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    27.4 mi · 29 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on US 61, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau

    2 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Shawnee Parkway

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Shawnee Parkway

  10. 10

    Turn left onto South Sprigg Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · South Sprigg Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Broadway Street

    2497 ft · 51 sec · Broadway Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
27.8 mi · 48%
North Walnut Street
23.5 mi · 41%
US 61
1.97 mi · 3%
Shawnee Parkway
1.6 mi · 3%
South Sprigg Street
0.8 mi · 1%
Broadway Street
0.47 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

Merge slight left

27.5 mi · 00h 29m

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
00h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.1 mi
42.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sargent
00h 29m from Dexter
Leave By
4:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Dexter 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 Dexter to Cape Girardeau?

The road trip is about 57.9 miles (93.2 km) and usually takes 00h 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?

Sargent is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.9 miles from Dexter and 29 miles from Cape Girardeau.

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

The direct path is about 42.8 miles (68.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.1 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 4:34 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.69 one way or $15.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Dexter and Mostly Sunny near Cape Girardeau.

Stop Ideas Near Sargent

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

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

RAIL

Fulton

69 mi away
21 Newton Rd.
BUS

Vienna, IL

79 mi away
504 West Vine Street
RAIL

Poplar Bluff

81 mi away
400 South Main St.
BUS

Paducah, KY

84 mi away
2719 Irvin Cobb Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Dexter and Cape Girardeau. Straight-line distance: 42.78 mi (68.84 km).

Dexter

#1 Dexter

City in Stoddard County, Missouri, United States

Population7,839
Coordinates36.7958900, -89.9578700
Altitude113
CountryUnited States
Cape Girardeau

#2 Cape Girardeau

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

Population41,588
Coordinates37.3058800, -89.5181500
Altitude108
CountryUnited States
Start: North Walnut Street (-89.957795, 36.795888)
End: Broadway Street (-89.518146, 37.305904)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 93 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.04 gal
7.73 L · about $7.69
Round trip
$15.39
4.08 gal · 15.46 L
Estimated CO2
18.1 kg one way
Round trip: 36.3 kg / 80 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.69 $15.39
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.68 $17.35
Premium $4.65 $9.49 $18.99
Diesel $5.30 $10.82 $21.64

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Dexter and Cape Girardeau. The current time is 05:01:14.

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.