Trip from Cape Girardeau, MO to Polk, MO

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 42m

Distance

282.5 mi

455 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 29m ★

6 AM

5h 42m

8 AM

6h 9m

10 AM

5h 52m

12 PM

5h 49m

3 PM

5h 53m

5 PM

6h 7m

8 PM

5h 34m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

The drive from Cape Girardeau, MO to Polk, MO covers 282.5 miles and takes about 5h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 44, I 55, North Jefferson Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 109.5 miles on I 44. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.17 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

141.3 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 50m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 42m. Total distance: 282.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 5h 42m highway drive covering 282.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 44 and I 55. The longest continuous stretch is about 109.5 miles on I 44.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 44 is the longest continuous segment at about 109.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and I 55. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 90.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 5h 42m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 90.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.2 miles (MO M): Navigation decision point; at 102.9 miles (MO 30): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8

90.8 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in

Take the exit toward MO M: Antonia, Barnhart

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Exit 185 Toward MO M: Antonia, Barnhart

4

91.2 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in | MO M

At end of road, turn left onto MO M

Navigation decision point

4

102.9 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in | MO 30

Turn left onto MO 30

Navigation decision point

7

130.3 mi into trip | ~2h 38m in

Take the exit toward I 44 West: Rolla

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 44 West: Rolla

6

240 mi into trip | ~4h 37m in

Take the exit toward MO 32, MO 5, MO 64: Hartville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 129 Toward MO 32, MO 5, MO 64: Hartville

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 Polk, MO, road signs point toward Mo M: Antonia and Barnhart.

Mo M: Antonia

90.8 mi in | ~1h 41m

Barnhart

90.8 mi in | ~1h 41m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 44	109.5 mi	1h 57m
I 55	84.9 mi	1h 31m
North Jefferson Street	38 mi	55m
MO 30	27 mi	38m
MO M	11.7 mi	17m
North Kingshighway	3.6 mi	5m
South Jefferson Avenue	2.2 mi	3m
MO D	2.1 mi	5m

Longest stretch: I 44 — 109.5 mi, about 1h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cape Girardeau, MO and Polk, MO.

1

Start on Broadway Street

2.0 mi · 3 min · Broadway Street

2

Turn right onto I 55 Bus; US 61; MO 34

3.6 mi · 5 min · North Kingshighway

3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis

4

Merge onto I 55

85 mi · 1 hr 31 min · I 55

5

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Exit 185 Toward MO M: Antonia, Barnhart Use the left lane.

6

At end of road, turn left onto MO M

12 mi · 17 min · MO M

7

Turn left onto MO 30

27 mi · 38 min · MO 30

8

Continue on US Historic 66; MO 30

0.2 mi · 29 sec · West Gravois Avenue

9

Turn right onto US Historic 66; MO 30

0.2 mi · 34 sec · US Historic 66; MO 30

10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Toward I 44 West: Rolla

11

Merge onto I 44

109 mi · 1 hr 57 min · I 44

12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Exit 129 Toward MO 32, MO 5, MO 64: Hartville

13

Turn right onto MO 5; MO 32; MO 64

2.2 mi · 3 min · South Jefferson Avenue

Use the straight lane.

14

Continue on MO 64

38 mi · 55 min · North Jefferson Street

15

Turn left onto MO D

2.1 mi · 5 min · MO D

16

Arrive at destination

MO D

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 141.3 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO, or about 2h 50m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.5 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 62 miles or 1h 10m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 141.3 miles or 2h 50m 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Polk, 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 282.5 miles and 5h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 I 44 for about 109.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 141.3 mi from Cape Girardeau, MO · 2h 50m into the drive

city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chesterfield, MO

141 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.

Popular next leg

Chesterfield, MO to Polk, MO

189.1 mi · 3h 54m

Pacing Suggestions

Cahokia, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chesterfield, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 141.3 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 44 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.5 miles.

Arriving in Polk, MO

The final approach into Polk, 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 Polk, MO.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the B...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour Free near mile 58.5

View on nps.gov

Gateway Arch National Park

National Park

Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...

24 mi from route ~60 min detour $19 near mile 97.4

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.17 one way

$88.33 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 99 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$48.49	$96.98
premium	$4.89	$54.36	$108.73
diesel	$5.61	$62.37	$124.74

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$44

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 98.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

8 DC fast chargers · Coverage: good

Tesla Supercharger

Rolla, Missouri

Tesla

1 DCFC

Flying J EV Charging Station

Sullivan, Missouri

Other

1 DCFC

Electrify America Charging Station

Lebanon, Missouri

Electrify America

1 DCFC

Electrify America Charging Station

Sullivan, Missouri

Electrify America

1 DCFC

Tesla Destination Charger

Richland, Missouri

Tesla Destination

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Rolla, Missouri

Blink

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Sullivan, Missouri

Blink

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Sullivan, Missouri

Blink

1 DCFC

Blink: 3 Electrify America: 2 Tesla: 1 Other: 1 Tesla Destination: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	84.8	1	$29.66	$13.56
Efficient EV	70.6	0	$24.72	$11.30
EV Truck/SUV	113	1	$39.55	$18.08

Gas CO2

99 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (67% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Cape Girardeau, MO

Afternoon in Cape Girardeau on Thursday

Local time

12:31 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Polk, MO

Afternoon in Polk on Thursday

Local time

12:31 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

57°F

Chesterfield, MO

141 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

21 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

5h 42m 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 Polk, MO covers 282.5 miles and takes about 5h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 44, I 55, North Jefferson Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 141.3 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 $44.17 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 5h 42m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 90.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.2 miles (MO M): Navigation decision point; at 102.9 miles (MO 30): Navigation decision point.

Between Cape Girardeau, MO and Polk, MO, road signs point toward Mo M: Antonia and Barnhart.

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