Origin
Cape Girardeau, MO
Night in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday
Local time
11:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cape Girardeau, MO to Lebanon, MO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 39m
Distance
241.2 mi
388 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 26m
★
6 AM
4h 39m
8 AM
5h 6m
10 AM
4h 49m
12 PM
4h 46m
3 PM
4h 50m
5 PM
5h 5m
8 PM
4h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cape Girardeau, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Lebanon, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Cape Girardeau, MO to Lebanon, MO covers 241.2 miles and takes about 4h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Kingshighway, I 55 North, MO M for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.71 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
120.6 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 39m drive with frequent turns across 241.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Kingshighway is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 39m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Cape Girardeau, MO to Lebanon, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Kingshighway | — | — |
| I 55 North | — | — |
| MO M | — | — |
| West Gravois Avenue | — | — |
| I 44 West | — | — |
| MO 32 | — | — |
| South Jefferson Avenue | — | — |
| East Commercial Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
North Kingshighway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape Girardeau, MO and Lebanon, MO.
1
Start on Broadway Street
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Broadway Street
2
Turn right onto North Kingshighway
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
North Kingshighway
3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 55 North: Saint Louis
4
Merge slight left
85 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
5
Take the exit slight right toward MO M: Antonia, Barnhart
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
MO M: Antonia, Barnhart
6
At the end of the road, turn left
12 mi
·
17 min
7
Turn left
27 mi
·
38 min
8
Continue on West Gravois Avenue
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
West Gravois Avenue
9
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
10
Take the exit left toward I 44 West: Rolla
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
I 44 West: Rolla
11
Merge slight left
109 mi
·
1 hr 57 min
12
Take the exit slight right toward MO 32, MO 5, MO 64: Hartville
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
MO 32, MO 5, MO 64: Hartville
13
Turn right onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jefferson Avenue
14
Turn right onto East Commercial Street
16 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Commercial Street
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 120.6 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 53 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.6 miles or 2h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lebanon, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cape Girardeau, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cape Girardeau, MO
This is one driving day of about 241.2 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 120.6 mi from Cape Girardeau, MO · 2h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
121 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 120.6 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lebanon, MO
The final approach into Lebanon, MO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Lebanon, MO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.71 one way
$75.42 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $41.40 | $82.81 |
| premium | $4.89 | $46.42 | $92.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $53.25 | $106.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.4 | 0 | $25.33 | $11.58 |
| Efficient EV | 60.3 | 0 | $21.10 | $9.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96.5 | 1 | $33.77 | $15.44 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Lebanon, MO
Night in Lebanon on Wednesday
Local time
11:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Chesterfield, MO
121 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
18 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 39m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Cape Girardeau, MO to Lebanon, MO covers 241.2 miles and takes about 4h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Kingshighway, I 55 North, MO M. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 120.6 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.71 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 39m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Cape Girardeau, MO to Lebanon, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Cape Girardeau, MO to Lebanon, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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