How far is West Plains, MO from Cape Girardeau, MO?
The driving distance from West Plains, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO is about 197.6 miles (318 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 134.8 miles (217 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 23m 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 11m.
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 Carter County, Missouri, United States
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 West Plains and Cape Girardeau.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Plains and Cape Girardeau.
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1
Start on Court Square
16 m · 2 sec · Court Square
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2
Turn left onto Court Square
1.1 km · 2 min · Court Square
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3
Continue on Porter Wagoner Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Porter Wagoner Boulevard
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4
Turn left onto Gibson Street
1277 ft · 22 sec · Gibson Street
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5
Turn right onto Jan Howard Expressway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Jan Howard Expressway
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6
Continue on Porter Wagoner Boulevard
1.2 km · 59 sec · Porter Wagoner Boulevard
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7
Continue on Sunset Terrace
14.4 mi · 17 min · Sunset Terrace
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
1652 ft · 28 sec
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9
Merge slight right
90 mi · 1 hr 46 min
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10
Keep slight right
4.8 mi · 6 min
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11
Turn straight onto North Westwood Boulevard
823 ft · 14 sec · North Westwood Boulevard
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12
Turn slight left
84 m · 12 sec
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13
Turn left
756 ft · 16 sec
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14
Take the ramp right
1102 ft · 27 sec
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15
Merge slight left
51 mi · 59 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
1793 ft · 44 sec
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17
Merge slight left
27.4 mi · 29 min
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18
Keep slight right to continue on US 61, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau
2 mi · 3 min
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19
Turn right onto Shawnee Parkway
1.6 mi · 3 min · Shawnee Parkway
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20
Turn left onto South Sprigg Street
1.3 km · 2 min · South Sprigg Street
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21
Turn right onto Broadway Street
2497 ft · 51 sec · Broadway Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Plains 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.
US 60 East
Merge slight right
90 mi · 01h 46m
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 West Plains 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 West Plains to Cape Girardeau?
The road trip is about 197.6 miles (318 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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?
Ellsinore is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.7 miles from West Plains and 98.9 miles from Cape Girardeau.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 134.8 miles (217 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.28 one way or $52.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around West Plains and Sunny near Cape Girardeau.
Stop Ideas Near Ellsinore
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 Ellsinore.
Poplar Bluff
Walnut Ridge
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Plains and Cape Girardeau. Straight-line distance: 134.81 mi (216.96 km).
#1 West Plains
City in Missouri, United States
| Population | 12,383 |
| Coordinates | 36.7281200, -91.8523700 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| 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: 318 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.28 | $52.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.64 | $59.29 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.44 | $64.88 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.97 | $73.94 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.