Origin
Poplar Bluff, MO
Afternoon in Poplar Bluff on Sunday
Local time
3:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Poplar Bluff, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO
Drive Time
1h 37m
Distance
82.5 mi
133 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 30m
★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Poplar Bluff, MO
Tom Fisk
Cape Girardeau, MO
Craig Picariello
Trip Overview
Stretching 82.5 miles across Missouri, this straightforward journey from Poplar Bluff to Cape Girardeau typically takes about 1 hour and 37 minutes to complete. It is an ideal day trip, as the duration is short enough that you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. With a fuel budget of approximately $13, it is an economical route for a quick change of scenery within the Midwest. You will primarily navigate via West Pine Street, I-55, and US-61 to reach your destination. Because this is a relatively short transit, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about a rigorous travel itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
41.2 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive that transitions between local roads and faster highway travel. You will spend roughly 38% of your time on highways, balancing the slower pace of local streets with the efficiency of I-55. The longest uninterrupted portion of your trip occurs early on, covering 49.8 miles along West Pine Street. As you progress, the road environment shifts, requiring you to remain alert as you transition from local thoroughfares to the interstate. This combination keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous grind, offering a varied pace that reflects the changing landscapes of the region.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 8 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Pine Street is the longest continuous segment at about 49.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
409 ft
298 ft
Total Climb
178 ft
Total Descent
189 ft
Highest Point
409 ft
~70.7 mi in
Elevation Range
111 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 49.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Poplar Bluff, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO is easy. At 1h 37m with 38% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 49.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 77.6 miles (US 61): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.6 miles (MO 34; MO 74 / Shawnee Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
49.8 mi into trip
|
~58m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 1B
Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
7
77.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
US 61
Keep slight right at fork onto US 61 toward US 61, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 93B
Toward US 61, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau
5
79.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
MO 34; MO 74 / Shawnee Parkway
Turn right onto MO 34; MO 74 / Shawnee Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
81.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
|
MO 177 / South Sprigg Street
Turn left onto MO 177 / South Sprigg Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
82 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
Broadway Street
Turn right onto Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Pine Street | 49.8 mi | 58m |
| I 55 | 27.4 mi | 29m |
| US 61 | 2 mi | 2m |
| Shawnee Parkway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| South Sprigg Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Broadway Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
West Pine Street
— 49.8 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Poplar Bluff, MO and Cape Girardeau, MO.
1
Start on US 60 Business
50 mi
·
58 min
·
West Pine Street
2
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 1B
Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
3
Merge onto I 55
27 mi
·
29 min
·
I 55
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 61
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 61
Exit 93B
Toward US 61, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau
5
Turn right onto MO 34; MO 74
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Shawnee Parkway
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto MO 177
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sprigg Street
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto Broadway Street
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Broadway Street
8
Arrive at destination
Broadway Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 1-hour and 37-minute trip, you don't need to stress about extensive rest stops or complex pacing. I recommend checking your fuel levels before leaving Poplar Bluff, as your $13 estimate assumes a consistent pace. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you have the freedom to drive straight through or pull over whenever you need a quick break. Pay close attention to your speed as you transition between the local sections on West Pine Street and the higher-speed limits on I-55. Keeping a steady eye on these road changes will ensure your drive remains smooth and stress-free from start to finish.
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 41.2 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.8 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.2 miles or 48m 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 20m
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 Poplar Bluff, 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 Poplar Bluff, MO
This is one driving day of about 82.5 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on West Pine Street for about 49.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.2 mi from Poplar Bluff, MO · 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.2 miles from Poplar Bluff, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.53 one way
$25.06 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $13.81 | $27.63 |
| premium | $4.80 | $15.57 | $31.15 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.33 | $36.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.66 | $3.96 |
| Efficient EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.22 | $3.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33 | 0 | $11.55 | $5.28 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Cape Girardeau, MO
Afternoon in Cape Girardeau on Sunday
Local time
3:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
58°F
Mount Pleasant, IL
41 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
25 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
1h 37m 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 Poplar Bluff, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO covers 82.5 miles and takes about 1h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Pine Street, I 55, US 61. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.2 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.53 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.
The drive from Poplar Bluff, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO is easy. At 1h 37m with 38% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 49.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 77.6 miles (US 61): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.6 miles (MO 34; MO 74 / Shawnee Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Poplar Bluff, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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