Origin
Cape Girardeau, MO
Afternoon in Cape Girardeau on Thursday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cape Girardeau, MO to Washington, MO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 46m
Distance
136 mi
219 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 36m
★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 9m
10 AM
2h 55m
12 PM
2h 52m
3 PM
2h 56m
5 PM
3h 8m
8 PM
2h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cape Girardeau, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Washington, MO
Valeria Boltneva
Trip Overview
The drive from Cape Girardeau, MO to Washington, MO covers 136 miles and takes about 2h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, MO M for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 84.9 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.26 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
68 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 46m. Total distance: 136 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 46m highway drive covering 136 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor. The longest continuous stretch is about 84.9 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 21 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 84.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 90.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 136 miles you will encounter 11 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 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 124 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese 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
7
124 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m in
Take the exit toward MO 100 West: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 251
Toward MO 100 West: Washington
6
135.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
|
East 8th Street
Turn left onto East 8th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
135.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
|
Macarthur Street
Turn right onto Macarthur Street
Navigation decision point
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 Washington, 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 55 | 84.9 mi | 1h 31m |
| Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor | 12.3 mi | 13m |
| MO M | 11.8 mi | 17m |
| MO 100 | 9.8 mi | 13m |
| MO W | 6.3 mi | 10m |
| North Kingshighway | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| MO 109 | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Broadway Street | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 84.9 mi, about 1h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape Girardeau, MO and Washington, 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
Continue on MO W
6.3 mi
·
10 min
·
MO W
8
Turn right onto MO 109
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
MO 109
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Rolla
10
Merge onto I 44; US 50
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 251
Toward MO 100 West: Washington
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
13
Continue on MO 100
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
MO 100
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on MO 100
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
MO 100
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on MO 100
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
MO 100
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on MO 100
424 ft
·
8 sec
·
MO 100
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto MO 47
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Franklin Avenue
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto East 8th Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
East 8th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto Macarthur Street
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
Macarthur Street
20
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East 3rd Street
21
Arrive at destination
West 3rd Street
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.9 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 30 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68 miles or 1h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington, 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 136 miles and 2h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 55 for about 84.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68 mi from Cape Girardeau, MO · 1h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.9 miles.
Arriving in Washington, MO
The final approach into Washington, 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 Washington, 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
$21.26 one way
$42.52 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.34 | $46.69 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.17 | $52.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.03 | $60.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.8 | 0 | $14.28 | $6.53 |
| Efficient EV | 34 | 0 | $11.90 | $5.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.4 | 0 | $19.04 | $8.70 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Washington, MO
Afternoon in Washington on Thursday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Imperial, MO
68 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
2 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 46m 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 Washington, MO covers 136 miles and takes about 2h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, MO M. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68 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 $21.26 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 136 miles you will encounter 11 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 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 124 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Cape Girardeau, MO and Washington, MO, road signs point toward Mo M: Antonia and Barnhart.
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