The drive from Cape Girardeau, MO to Monett, MO covers 306.3 miles and takes about 6h 12m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 60, US 61, Farm Road 2240 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 267.9 miles on US 60.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.89 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
153.2 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 12m. Total distance: 306.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 12m highway drive covering 306.3 miles, with most of the trip on US 60 and US 61. The longest continuous stretch is about 267.9 miles on US 60.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 60 is the longest continuous segment at about 267.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 60 and US 61. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.9 miles in near I 55 Bus; US 61 / South Kingshighway.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 306.3 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.9 miles (I 55 Bus; US 61 / South Kingshighway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles (US 61): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
2.9 mi into trip|~5m in|I 55 Bus; US 61 / South Kingshighway
Turn left onto I 55 Bus; US 61 / South Kingshighway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
4.8 mi into trip|~8m in|US 61
Keep slight left at fork onto US 61 toward I 55 South, US 61 South: Sikeston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 South, US 61 South: Sikeston
6
31.9 mi into trip|~37m in
Take the exit toward US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 66B
Toward US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff
5
83.4 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|US 60
Take the exit onto US 60 toward US 60 West, US 67 North: Springfield, Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 60 West, US 67 North: Springfield, Sa...
5
270.7 mi into trip|~5h 18m in|US 60
Take the exit onto US 60 toward US 60 West, MO 413: Springfield, Republic
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 60 West, MO 413: Springfield, Republi...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cape Girardeau, MO and Monett, MO, road signs point toward Poplar Bluff, Saint Louis and Republic.
Poplar Bluff
31.9 mi in|~37m
Saint Louis
83.4 mi in|~1h 37m|via US 60
Republic
270.7 mi in|~5h 18m|via US 60
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 60
267.9 mi
5h 23m
US 61
27.2 mi
29m
Farm Road 2240
3 mi
5m
South Kingshighway
1.9 mi
2m
East Cleveland Avenue
1.9 mi
3m
Shawnee Parkway
1.6 mi
2m
Southwest Elm Street
1.2 mi
1m
North Sprigg Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 60
— 267.9 mi, about 5h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape Girardeau, MO and Monett, MO.
1
Start on Broadway Street
0.5 mi·55 sec·Broadway Street
2
Turn left onto MO 177
0.8 mi·1 min·North Sprigg Street
3
Turn right onto MO 34; MO 74
1.6 mi·2 min·Shawnee Parkway
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto I 55 Bus; US 61
1.9 mi·2 min·South Kingshighway
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 61
27 mi·29 min·US 61
Toward I 55 South, US 61 South: Sikeston
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 66BToward US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff
7
Merge onto US 60
45 mi·52 min·US 60
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
5.5 mi·6 min·US 60
9
Take the exit onto US 60
4.5 mi·6 min·US 60
Toward US 60 West, US 67 North: Springfield, Saint Louis
10
Take the exit onto US 60
183 mi·3 hr 35 min·US 60
11
Take the exit onto US 60
0.2 mi·32 sec·US 60
Toward US 60 West, MO 413: Springfield, Republic
12
Turn left onto US 60; MO 413
11 mi·16 min·US 60; MO 413
13
Continue on US 60; MO 14; MO 413
1.2 mi·1 min·Southwest Elm Street
14
Continue on US 60; MO 413
5.3 mi·7 min·US 60; MO 413
15
Continue on US 60; MO 265
13 mi·19 min·US 60; MO 265
16
Turn right onto US 60 Business
3.0 mi·5 min·Farm Road 2240
17
Continue on US 60 Business
1.9 mi·3 min·East Cleveland Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
West Cleveland Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 153.2 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 267.9 miles.
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 67 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.2 miles or 3h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monett, 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 306.3 miles and 6h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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.
The longest stretch is on US 60 for about 267.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 153.2 mi from Cape Girardeau, MO
· 3h into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
3 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 274.6
The young child known as the "Plant Doctor" tended his secret garden while observing the day-to-day operations of a 19th century farm. Nature and nurture ultimately influenced George on his quest for...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 306.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.89 one way
$95.77 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$52.58
$105.15
premium
$4.89
$58.94
$117.89
diesel
$5.61
$67.63
$135.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
23 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Dynamic ev Charging Station
Ozark, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Springfield, Missouri
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Dynamic EV Charging Station
Springfield, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
Dynamic EVC Charging Station
Springfield, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Springfield, Missouri
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Springfield, Missouri
EV Connect
1 DCFC
Universal EV Charging Station
Cabool, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Springfield, Missouri
EV Connect
1 DCFC
Other: 8
ChargePoint: 7
Blink: 4
Tesla Destination: 2
EV Connect: 2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.9
1
$32.16
$14.70
Efficient EV
76.6
0
$26.80
$12.25
EV Truck/SUV
122.5
1
$42.88
$19.60
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Cape Girardeau, MO
Morning
in Cape Girardeau on Saturday
Local time
7:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Monett, MO
Morning
in Monett on Saturday
Local time
7:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
26 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
6h 12m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Monett, MO covers 306.3 miles and takes about 6h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 60, US 61, Farm Road 2240. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 153.2 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 $47.89 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 306.3 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.9 miles (I 55 Bus; US 61 / South Kingshighway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles (US 61): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Cape Girardeau, MO and Monett, MO, road signs point toward Poplar Bluff, Saint Louis and Republic.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
