How far is University City, MO from Cape Girardeau, MO?

The driving distance from University City, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO is about 128.6 miles (207 km), with a travel time of about 02h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 102.8 miles (165.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 03m 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
128.61 mi
02h 01m
Flight
102.74 mi
165.35 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from University City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
102.74 mi
Kilometers
165.35 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
128.61 mi
Kilometers
206.97 km
Drive Time
02h 01m

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 02h 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cape Girardeau
Thu, May 7, 10:07 AM CDT
Return by in University City
Thu, May 7, 12:08 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave University City
2026-05-07T08:05
Arrive Cape Girardeau
Thu, May 7, 10:07 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:02 AM to 12:02 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:26 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in University City
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Bloomsdale
MO

City in Sainte Genevieve County, Missouri, United States

From University City
57.7 mi
01h 00m
To Cape Girardeau
70.9 mi
01h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW
Destination
67°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 3 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between University City and Cape Girardeau.

  1. 1

    Start on Kingsland Avenue

    53 m · 15 sec · Kingsland Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on Kingsland Avenue

    30 m · 8 sec · Kingsland Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Delmar Boulevard

    2613 ft · 1 min · Delmar Boulevard

  4. 4

    Turn right onto North Skinker Boulevard

    1.6 mi · 3 min · North Skinker Boulevard

  5. 5

    Continue on McCausland Avenue

    1.7 mi · 3 min · McCausland Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on Ellendale Avenue

    2852 ft · 56 sec · Ellendale Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on Wellington Avenue

    1740 ft · 35 sec · Wellington Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on Wabash Avenue

    1709 ft · 34 sec · Wabash Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Lansdowne Avenue

    651 ft · 25 sec · Lansdowne Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn left onto River Des Peres Boulevard

    1878 ft · 40 sec · River Des Peres Boulevard

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Weil Avenue

    88 m · 15 sec · Weil Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on Weil Avenue

    605 ft · 21 sec · Weil Avenue

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Chippewa Street

    599 ft · 17 sec · Chippewa Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Watson Road

    801 ft · 19 sec · Watson Road

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Mackenzie Road

    3.3 mi · 7 min · Mackenzie Road

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto Reavis Barracks Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · Reavis Barracks Road

  17. 17

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 South

    997 ft · 14 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    99.2 mi · 1 hr 47 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward US 61, MO 34, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau, Jackson

    814 ft · 17 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 Business, US 61 South, MO 34 East: Cape Girardeau

    1354 ft · 29 sec

  21. 21

    Continue on North Kingshighway

    3.6 mi · 6 min · North Kingshighway

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Broadway Street

    2 mi · 4 min · Broadway Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
23 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
99.4 mi · 77%
North Kingshighway
3.63 mi · 3%
Mackenzie Road
3.25 mi · 3%
Broadway Street
2.03 mi · 2%
McCausland Avenue
1.75 mi · 1%
North Skinker Boulevard
1.6 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 55 South

Merge slight left

99.2 mi · 01h 47m

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
02h 01m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.8 mi
102.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bloomsdale
01h 00m from University City
Leave By
2:26 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving University 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 University City to Cape Girardeau?

The road trip is about 128.6 miles (207 km) and usually takes 02h 01m 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?

Bloomsdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57.7 miles from University City and 70.9 miles from Cape Girardeau.

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

The direct path is about 102.8 miles (165.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.8 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 2:26 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.12 one way or $34.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around University City and Sunny near Cape Girardeau.

Stop Ideas Near Bloomsdale

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

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

RAIL

Kirkwood

66 mi away
110 West Argonne Dr.
RAIL

Gateway Transportation Center

68 mi away
551 South 16th St.
RAIL

Du Quoin

86 mi away
20 North Chestnut St.
RAIL

Carbondale station

93 mi away
401 South Illinois St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between University City and Cape Girardeau. Straight-line distance: 102.74 mi (165.35 km).

University City

#1 University City

Suburb in St.

Population34,165
Coordinates38.6558800, -90.3092800
Altitude161
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: Kingsland Avenue (-90.309174, 38.655871)
End: Broadway Street (-89.518146, 37.305904)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 207 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.54 gal
17.18 L · about $17.12
Round trip
$34.24
9.08 gal · 34.36 L
Estimated CO2
40.3 kg one way
Round trip: 80.7 kg / 178 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.12 $34.24
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.31 $38.62
Premium $4.65 $21.13 $42.26
Diesel $5.30 $24.08 $48.16

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 07, 2026

There is no time difference between University City and Cape Girardeau. The current time is 08:05:45.

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.