Origin
Cape Girardeau, MO
Afternoon in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday
Local time
4:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
6h 53m
Distance
360.9 mi
581 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cape Girardeau, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Belton, MO
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Cape Girardeau, MO to Belton, MO covers 360.9 miles and takes about 6h 53m 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, Rosa Parks Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $56.42 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
180.4 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 26m into the drive .
Expect a 6h 53m drive with frequent turns across 360.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
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.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 53m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Cape Girardeau, MO to Belton, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Kingshighway | — | — |
| I 55 North | — | — |
| Rosa Parks Highway | — | — |
| I 270 West | — | — |
| I 64 | — | — |
| I 64 West | — | — |
| Avenue of the Saints | — | — |
| I 70 West | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Cape Girardeau, MO and Belton, MO.
Start on Broadway Street
Turn right onto North Kingshighway
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
Merge slight left
Continue on Rosa Parks Highway
Take the exit slight right toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 West: Kansas City
Continue on I 270 West
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Continue on I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Take the exit slight right toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
Merge slight left
Keep slight right to continue on I 470 South: Wichita
Take the exit slight left toward I 49, I 435 North, US 71: Joplin, Kansas City, Des Moines
Keep slight left to continue on I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
Keep slight left to continue on I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward MO Y
Turn right onto East 163rd Street
Continue on North Cedar Street
Turn slight right
Turn slight right onto East North Avenue
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 79 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 180.4 miles or 3h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belton, MO than in the middle of the route.
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 360.9 miles and 6h 53m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 180.4 mi from Cape Girardeau, MO · 3h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
180 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.
A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 180.4 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Belton, 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 Belton, MO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$56.42 one way
$112.85 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $61.95 | $123.90 |
| premium | $4.89 | $69.45 | $138.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $79.68 | $159.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 108.3 | 1 | $37.89 | $17.32 |
| Efficient EV | 90.2 | 1 | $31.58 | $14.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 144.4 | 1 | $50.53 | $23.10 |
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday
Local time
4:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Belton on Wednesday
Local time
4:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
57°F
Chesterfield, MO
180 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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