The drive from Crestwood, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO covers 109.2 miles and takes about 2h 6m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, North Kingshighway, I 270 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 93.1 miles on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.07 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
54.6 miles from Crestwood, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 109.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 6m drive with frequent turns across 109.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 93.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near MO 30 / Gravois Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 109.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (MO 30 / Gravois Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|MO 30 / Gravois Road
Turn right onto MO 30 / Gravois Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
5.9 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis...
5
6.3 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
6
103.1 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward US 61, MO 34, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau, Jackson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 99
Toward US 61, MO 34, I 55 Business: Cape Girard...
8
103.3 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 Business, US 61 South, MO 34 East: Cape Girardeau
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 99
Toward I 55 Business, US 61 South, MO 34 East:...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Crestwood, MO and Cape Girardeau, MO, road signs point toward Memphis and Jackson.
Memphis
5.9 mi in|~10m
Jackson
103.1 mi in|~1h 55m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
93.1 mi
1h 39m
North Kingshighway
3.6 mi
6m
I 270
2.8 mi
3m
Broadway Street
2 mi
3m
Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Rosa Parks Highway
1.5 mi
1m
Gravois Road
1.3 mi
2m
Sappington Road
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
— 93.1 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Crestwood, MO and Cape Girardeau, MO.
1
Start on MO 366
63 ft·2 sec·Watson Road
2
Turn right onto Old Sappington Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Old Sappington Road
3
Continue on Sappington Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Sappington Road
4
Turn right onto MO 30
1.3 mi·2 min·Gravois Road
Use the right lane.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward I 270 South
6
Merge onto I 270
2.8 mi·3 min·I 270
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 1AToward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
9
Merge onto I 55
1.5 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
10
Continue on I 55
1.8 mi·2 min·Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
11
Continue on I 55
93 mi·1 hr 39 min·Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 99Toward US 61, MO 34, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau, Jackson
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 99Toward I 55 Business, US 61 South, MO 34 East: Cape Girardeau
14
Continue on I 55 Bus; US 61; MO 34
3.6 mi·6 min·North Kingshighway
15
Turn left onto Broadway Street
2.0 mi·3 min·Broadway Street
16
Arrive at destination
Broadway 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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 54.6 miles from Crestwood, MO, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.1 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 24 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.6 miles or 1h 3m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cape Girardeau, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Crestwood, 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 Crestwood, MO
This is one driving day of about 109.2 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Crestwood, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway for about 93.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 54.6 mi from Crestwood, MO
· 1h 3m into the drive
The midpoint is around 57.3 miles from Crestwood, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cape Girardeau, MO
The final approach into Cape Girardeau, 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 Cape Girardeau, MO.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 56.5
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.07 one way
$34.14 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$18.74
$37.49
premium
$4.89
$21.01
$42.03
diesel
$5.61
$24.11
$48.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.8
0
$11.47
$5.24
Efficient EV
27.3
0
$9.56
$4.37
EV Truck/SUV
43.7
0
$15.29
$6.99
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Crestwood, MO
Late night
in Crestwood on Saturday
Local time
3:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cape Girardeau, MO
Late night
in Cape Girardeau on Saturday
Local time
3:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Imperial, MO
55 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
26 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 6m 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 Crestwood, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO covers 109.2 miles and takes about 2h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, North Kingshighway, I 270. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54.6 miles from Crestwood, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.07 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 demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 109.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (MO 30 / Gravois Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Between Crestwood, MO and Cape Girardeau, MO, road signs point toward Memphis and Jackson.
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.
