Hazelwood, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO is 127.7 miles and takes about 2h 28m via Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to the same region. Expect a local, turn-heavy experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. This makes it a great option if you prefer a more engaged driving feel and don't want to spend the entire day on the highway. It's a manageable distance for a single day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
63.8 miles from Hazelwood, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 127.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with zero highway share, meaning you won't be on interstates. Instead, you'll navigate a series of local roads, including Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, Rosemary Straub Davison Highway, and North Kingshighway. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 93.1 miles on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway. Be prepared for a more engaged driving experience, as frequent turns and changes in road type are to be expected.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 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. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Fee Fee Road.
Driving Effort6/10
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 127.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.2 miles (Fee Fee Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.5 miles (James S McDonnell Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Fee Fee Road
At end of road, turn left onto Fee Fee Road
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
0.5 mi into trip|~2m in|James S McDonnell Boulevard
Turn right onto James S McDonnell Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
24.4 mi into trip|~32m 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...
6
121.6 mi into trip|~2h 17m 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
121.7 mi into trip|~2h 18m 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.
On the drive from Hazelwood, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Memphis
24.4 mi in|~32m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
93.1 mi
1h 39m
Rosemary Straub Davison Highway
22.6 mi
28m
North Kingshighway
3.6 mi
6m
Broadway Street
2 mi
3m
Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Rosa Parks Highway
1.5 mi
1m
McDonnell Boulevard
0.6 mi
<1m
James S McDonnell Boulevard
0.3 mi
<1m
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 Hazelwood, MO and Cape Girardeau, MO.
1
Start on Chapel Ridge Drive
0.2 mi·56 sec·Chapel Ridge Drive
2
At end of road, turn left onto Fee Fee Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Fee Fee Road
3
Turn slight right
147 ft·5 sec
4
Turn right onto James S McDonnell Boulevard
0.3 mi·27 sec·James S McDonnell Boulevard
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on McDonnell Boulevard
0.6 mi·59 sec·McDonnell Boulevard
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward I 270 West: Kansas CityUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 270
23 mi·28 min·Rosemary Straub Davison Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
10
Merge onto I 55
1.5 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
11
Continue on I 55
1.8 mi·2 min·Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 55
93 mi·1 hr 39 min·Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 99Toward US 61, MO 34, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau, Jackson
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 99Toward I 55 Business, US 61 South, MO 34 East: Cape Girardeau
15
Continue on I 55 Bus; US 61; MO 34
3.6 mi·6 min·North Kingshighway
16
Turn left onto Broadway Street
2.0 mi·3 min·Broadway Street
17
Arrive at destination
Broadway Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 28m duration, this is comfortably a same-day trip, and you can leave anytime that suits your schedule. With a fuel cost estimated around $20, it's an economical journey. Since there are no designated stops listed and the drive is relatively short, plan to make your own stops for breaks or meals as needed. Keep an eye on local road conditions, especially as you transition between named routes like Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway and Rosemary Straub Davison Highway, as these can be less predictable than major highways.
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 63.8 miles from Hazelwood, MO, or about 1h 15m 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 28 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.8 miles or 1h 15m 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 59m
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 Hazelwood, 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 Hazelwood, MO
This is one driving day of about 127.7 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Hazelwood, 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 63.8 mi from Hazelwood, MO
· 1h 15m into the drive
The midpoint is around 63.8 miles from Hazelwood, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93.1 miles.
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 74.8
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.96 one way
$39.93 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$21.92
$43.84
premium
$4.89
$24.57
$49.15
diesel
$5.61
$28.19
$56.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.3
0
$13.41
$6.13
Efficient EV
31.9
0
$11.17
$5.11
EV Truck/SUV
51.1
0
$17.88
$8.17
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Hazelwood, MO
Late night
in Hazelwood on Saturday
Local time
3:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
Arnold, MO
64 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 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 28m 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 Hazelwood, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO covers 127.7 miles and takes about 2h 28m 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, Rosemary Straub Davison Highway, North Kingshighway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.8 miles from Hazelwood, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.96 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 127.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.2 miles (Fee Fee Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.5 miles (James S McDonnell Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Hazelwood, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
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.
