How far is Jefferson City, MO from Cape Girardeau, MO?
The driving distance from Jefferson City, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO is about 236.8 miles (381.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 169.3 miles (272.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 08m 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 34m.
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 Jefferson County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Jefferson City and Cape Girardeau.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson City and Cape Girardeau.
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1
Start on East Wall Way
47 m · 13 sec · East Wall Way
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2
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
1130 ft · 40 sec · Jefferson Street
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3
Turn left onto Rex M Whitton Expressway
11.3 mi · 14 min · Rex M Whitton Expressway
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4
Keep slight left to continue on US 50 East: Saint Louis
5.9 mi · 7 min
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5
Turn left onto Wolf Ridge Trail
1995 ft · 2 min · Wolf Ridge Trail
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6
At the end of the road, turn right onto Loose Creek Highway
1 mi · 2 min · Loose Creek Highway
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7
Continue on County Route 604
1 km · 3 min · County Route 604
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8
Turn left onto County Route 605
1.5 mi · 6 min · County Route 605
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9
Turn left
1817 ft · 36 sec
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10
Continue on West Main Street
58.6 mi · 1 hr 10 min · West Main Street
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11
Merge slight left
2.5 mi · 3 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 44 East, US 50 East: Saint Louis
17.3 mi · 19 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward MO 109: Eureka, Wildwood
1115 ft · 27 sec
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14
Turn right
2.1 mi · 4 min
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15
Turn left
6.4 mi · 11 min
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16
Continue straight
11.6 mi · 17 min
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17
Take the exit slight right
55 m · 5 sec
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18
Turn right onto Metropolitan Boulevard
641 ft · 15 sec · Metropolitan Boulevard
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward I 55 South: Cape Girardeau
66 m · 10 sec
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20
Exit the roundabout onto I 55 South: Cape Girardeau
832 ft · 10 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Jeff McBride Memorial Highway
84.8 mi · 1 hr 31 min · Jeff McBride Memorial Highway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward US 61, MO 34, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau, Jackson
814 ft · 17 sec
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23
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 Business, US 61 South, MO 34 East: Cape Girardeau
1354 ft · 29 sec
-
24
Continue on North Kingshighway
3.6 mi · 6 min · North Kingshighway
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25
Turn left onto Broadway Street
2 mi · 4 min · Broadway Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Jefferson City 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.
Jeff McBride Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Jeff McBride Memorial Highway
84.8 mi · 01h 31m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City to Cape Girardeau?
The road trip is about 236.8 miles (381.1 km) and usually takes 03h 34m 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?
Byrnes Mill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105.5 miles from Jefferson City and 131.3 miles from Cape Girardeau.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 169.3 miles (272.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 67.5 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 9:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.53 one way or $63.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Jefferson City and Sunny near Cape Girardeau.
Stop Ideas Near Byrnes Mill
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 Byrnes Mill.
Kirkwood
Gateway Transportation Center
Washington
Alton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Jefferson City and Cape Girardeau. Straight-line distance: 169.24 mi (272.36 km).
#1 Jefferson City
The capital of Missouri.
| Population | 42,708 |
| Coordinates | 38.5767000, -92.1735200 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| 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: 381 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.53 | $63.05 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.56 | $71.11 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $38.91 | $77.81 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $44.34 | $88.68 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.