The drive from Cape Girardeau, MO to University City, MO covers 115.6 miles and takes about 2h 18m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, Rosa Parks Highway, North Kingshighway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 95.1 miles on I 55.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.07 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.8 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 115.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 2h 18m highway drive covering 115.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and Rosa Parks Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 95.1 miles on I 55.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 95.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Rosa Parks Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 105.3 miles in.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 18m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 105.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 110.4 miles (Lansdowne Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 110.5 miles (Wabash Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
105.3 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward Reavis Barracks Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 199
Toward Reavis Barracks Road
5
110.4 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|Lansdowne Avenue
Turn right onto Lansdowne Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
110.5 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|Wabash Avenue
Turn left onto Wabash Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
115.1 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|Delmar Boulevard
Turn left onto Delmar Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
115.6 mi into trip|~2h 18m in|Kingsland Avenue
Turn left onto Kingsland Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
95.1 mi
1h 42m
Rosa Parks Highway
4.3 mi
5m
North Kingshighway
3.6 mi
5m
Mackenzie Road
3.2 mi
6m
Broadway Street
2 mi
3m
McCausland Avenue
1.8 mi
2m
South Skinker Boulevard
1.6 mi
3m
Reavis Barracks Road
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 95.1 mi, about 1h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape Girardeau, MO and University City, 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
95 mi·1 hr 42 min·I 55
5
Continue on I 55
4.3 mi·5 min·Rosa Parks Highway
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·23 sec
Exit 199Toward Reavis Barracks RoadUse the slight right lane.
7
Turn left onto Reavis Barracks Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Reavis Barracks Road
8
Continue on Mackenzie Road
3.2 mi·6 min·Mackenzie Road
9
Turn slight right onto MO 366
0.1 mi·14 sec·Watson Road
10
Continue on MO 366
0.2 mi·24 sec·Chippewa Street
11
Turn right
0.1 mi·22 sec
12
Turn right onto River Des Peres Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·River Des Peres Boulevard
13
Turn right onto Lansdowne Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Lansdowne Avenue
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto Wabash Avenue
0.3 mi·36 sec·Wabash Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on Wellington Avenue
0.3 mi·34 sec·Wellington Avenue
16
Continue on Ellendale Avenue
0.5 mi·56 sec·Ellendale Avenue
17
Continue on McCausland Avenue
1.8 mi·2 min·McCausland Avenue
18
Continue on South Skinker Boulevard
1.6 mi·3 min·South Skinker Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto Delmar Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Delmar Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Kingsland Avenue
98 ft·6 sec·Kingsland Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on Kingsland Avenue
173 ft·12 sec·Kingsland Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
Kingsland Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57.8 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.1 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 25 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.8 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near University City, 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 115.6 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 95.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 57.8 mi from Cape Girardeau, MO
· 1h 6m into the drive
The midpoint is around 57.8 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 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95.1 miles.
Arriving in University City, MO
The final approach into University City, 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 University City, MO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 55.8
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
$19
near mile 111.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.07 one way
$36.15 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.84
$39.69
premium
$4.89
$22.25
$44.49
diesel
$5.61
$25.52
$51.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.7
0
$12.14
$5.55
Efficient EV
28.9
0
$10.11
$4.62
EV Truck/SUV
46.2
0
$16.18
$7.40
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Afternoon
in Cape Girardeau on Friday
Local time
4:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
University City, MO
Afternoon
in University City on Friday
Local time
4:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Imperial, MO
58 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
23 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
2h 18m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 University City, MO covers 115.6 miles and takes about 2h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Rosa Parks Highway, North Kingshighway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57.8 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 $18.07 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 2h 18m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 105.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 110.4 miles (Lansdowne Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 110.5 miles (Wabash Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Cape Girardeau, MO to University City, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park and Gateway Arch National Park.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
