How far is Poplar Bluff, MO from Cape Girardeau, MO?

The driving distance from Poplar Bluff, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO is about 82.5 miles (132.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 61.4 miles (98.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 41m 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
82.49 mi
01h 20m
Flight
61.37 mi
98.76 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Poplar Bluff.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
61.37 mi
Kilometers
98.76 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
82.49 mi
Kilometers
132.76 km
Drive Time
01h 20m

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 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cape Girardeau
Wed, Jun 3, 1:52 AM CDT
Return by in Poplar Bluff
Wed, Jun 3, 3:12 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Poplar Bluff
2026-06-03T00:31
Arrive Cape Girardeau
Wed, Jun 3, 1:52 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:21 AM to 11:21 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:48 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Poplar Bluff
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
Morehouse
MO

City in New Madrid County, Missouri, United States

From Poplar Bluff
41.2 mi
00h 40m
To Cape Girardeau
41.3 mi
00h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Jun 3 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 mph ENE
Destination
81°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Jun 3 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Poplar Bluff and Cape Girardeau.

  1. 1

    Start on West Pine Street

    49.8 mi · 58 min · West Pine Street

  2. 2

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

    1793 ft · 44 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    27.4 mi · 29 min

  4. 4

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

    2 mi · 3 min

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Shawnee Parkway

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Shawnee Parkway

  6. 6

    Turn left onto South Sprigg Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · South Sprigg Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Broadway Street

    2497 ft · 51 sec · Broadway Street

  8. 8

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Poplar Bluff 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
8 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Pine Street
49.8 mi · 60%
I 55 North
27.8 mi · 34%
US 61
1.97 mi · 2%
Shawnee Parkway
1.6 mi · 2%
South Sprigg Street
0.8 mi · 1%
Broadway Street
0.47 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

West Pine Street

Start on West Pine Street

49.8 mi · 00h 58m

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
01h 20m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.1 mi
61.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Morehouse
00h 40m from Poplar Bluff
Leave By
3:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Poplar Bluff 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 Poplar Bluff to Cape Girardeau?

The road trip is about 82.5 miles (132.8 km) and usually takes 01h 20m 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?

Morehouse is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41.2 miles from Poplar Bluff and 41.3 miles from Cape Girardeau.

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

The direct path is about 61.4 miles (98.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.1 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 3:48 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.97 one way or $21.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Poplar Bluff and Sunny near Cape Girardeau.

Stop Ideas Near Morehouse

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

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

RAIL

Poplar Bluff

64 mi away
400 South Main St.
RAIL

Fulton

80 mi away
21 Newton Rd.
RAIL

Newbern–Dyersburg

90 mi away
108 Jefferson St
BUS

Vienna, IL

94 mi away
504 West Vine Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Poplar Bluff and Cape Girardeau. Straight-line distance: 61.37 mi (98.76 km).

Poplar Bluff

#1 Poplar Bluff

City in Butler County in Southeast Missouri, United States

Population16,807
Coordinates36.7570000, -90.3928900
Altitude110
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: West Pine Street (-90.392904, 36.756949)
End: Broadway Street (-89.518146, 37.305904)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 133 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.91 gal
11.02 L · about $10.97
Round trip
$21.95
5.82 gal · 22.04 L
Estimated CO2
25.9 kg one way
Round trip: 51.7 kg / 114 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.97 $21.95
Mid-grade $4.25 $12.38 $24.75
Premium $4.65 $13.54 $27.09
Diesel $5.30 $15.43 $30.87

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 · Jun 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Poplar Bluff and Cape Girardeau. The current time is 00:31:30.

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.