How far is Rolla, MO from Cape Girardeau, MO?
The driving distance from Rolla, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO is about 181.5 miles (292.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 131.1 miles (211 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 05m 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 02m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rolla and Cape Girardeau.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rolla and Cape Girardeau.
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1
Start on West 10th Street
27 m · 8 sec · West 10th Street
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2
Turn right onto North Pine Street
2932 ft · 2 min · North Pine Street
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3
Turn right onto North Bishop Avenue
1466 ft · 38 sec · North Bishop Avenue
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4
Take the exit slight right toward I 44 East: Saint Louis
962 ft · 23 sec
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5
Merge slight left
51.9 mi · 56 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward MO WW, MO AB, MO 30: Saint Clair
895 ft · 23 sec
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7
Turn right
728 ft · 22 sec
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8
Continue on West Gravois Avenue
1012 ft · 25 sec · West Gravois Avenue
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9
Take the exit slight right toward MO 30, MO 47
58 m · 5 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto East Gravois Avenue
27 mi · 38 min · East Gravois Avenue
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11
Turn right
11.6 mi · 17 min
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12
Take the exit slight right
55 m · 5 sec
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13
Turn right onto Metropolitan Boulevard
641 ft · 15 sec · Metropolitan Boulevard
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward I 55 South: Cape Girardeau
66 m · 10 sec
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15
Exit the roundabout onto I 55 South: Cape Girardeau
832 ft · 10 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Jeff McBride Memorial Highway
84.8 mi · 1 hr 31 min · Jeff McBride Memorial Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 61, MO 34, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau, Jackson
814 ft · 17 sec
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18
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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19
Continue on North Kingshighway
3.6 mi · 6 min · North Kingshighway
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20
Turn left onto Broadway Street
2 mi · 4 min · Broadway Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rolla 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.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Rolla 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 Rolla to Cape Girardeau?
The road trip is about 181.5 miles (292.1 km) and usually takes 03h 02m 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?
Barnhart is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.6 miles from Rolla and 89.9 miles from Cape Girardeau.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 131.1 miles (211 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.4 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 10:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.17 one way or $48.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Rolla and Sunny near Cape Girardeau.
Stop Ideas Near Barnhart
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 Barnhart.
Kirkwood
Gateway Transportation Center
Washington
Alton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rolla and Cape Girardeau. Straight-line distance: 131.11 mi (211 km).
#1 Rolla
City in Phelps County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 20,437 |
| Coordinates | 37.9514300, -91.7712700 |
| Altitude | 342 |
| 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: 292 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.17 | $48.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.26 | $54.52 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.83 | $59.66 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.00 | $68.00 |
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.