How far is Polk, MO from Cape Girardeau, MO?
The driving distance from Polk, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO is about 301.4 miles (485.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 209.3 miles (336.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 48m 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 04h 54m.
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.
Human settlement in Franklin County, Missouri, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Polk and Cape Girardeau.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Polk and Cape Girardeau.
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1
Start on the route
2.1 mi · 5 min
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2
Turn right
40.3 mi · 1 hr
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3
Take the exit left toward I 44 East: Rolla
1431 ft · 35 sec
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4
Merge slight left
109.4 mi · 1 hr 58 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward MO WW, MO AB, MO 30: Saint Clair
895 ft · 23 sec
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6
Turn right
728 ft · 22 sec
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7
Continue on West Gravois Avenue
1012 ft · 25 sec · West Gravois Avenue
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8
Take the exit slight right toward MO 30, MO 47
58 m · 5 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto East Gravois Avenue
27 mi · 38 min · East Gravois Avenue
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10
Turn right
11.6 mi · 17 min
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11
Take the exit slight right
55 m · 5 sec
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12
Turn right onto Metropolitan Boulevard
641 ft · 15 sec · Metropolitan Boulevard
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward I 55 South: Cape Girardeau
66 m · 10 sec
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14
Exit the roundabout onto I 55 South: Cape Girardeau
832 ft · 10 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Jeff McBride Memorial Highway
84.8 mi · 1 hr 31 min · Jeff McBride Memorial Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 61, MO 34, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau, Jackson
814 ft · 17 sec
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17
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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18
Continue on North Kingshighway
3.6 mi · 6 min · North Kingshighway
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19
Turn left onto Broadway Street
2 mi · 4 min · Broadway Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Polk and Cape Girardeau.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 44 East
Merge slight left
109 mi · 01h 58m
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.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Polk 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 Polk to Cape Girardeau?
The road trip is about 301.4 miles (485.1 km) and usually takes 04h 54m 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?
Oak Grove Village is a useful midpoint, sitting about 141.1 miles from Polk and 160.3 miles from Cape Girardeau.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 209.3 miles (336.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 92.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.12 one way or $80.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Polk and Mostly Cloudy near Cape Girardeau.
Stop Ideas Near Oak Grove Village
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 Oak Grove Village.
Washington
Hermann
Kirkwood
Gateway Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Polk and Cape Girardeau. Straight-line distance: 209.26 mi (336.77 km).
#1 Polk
County in Missouri, United States
| Population | 732 |
| Coordinates | 37.7292000, -93.2993600 |
| Altitude | 317 |
| 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: 485 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.12 | $80.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.25 | $90.50 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $49.52 | $99.04 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $56.43 | $112.87 |
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 04, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.