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
Photo: Craig Picariello
The drive from Poplar Bluff, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO covers 82.5 miles and takes about 1h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West Pine Street, I 55, US 61 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 49.8 miles on West Pine Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.53 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
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 .
The drive from Poplar Bluff, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO covers 82.5 miles and takes about 1h 37m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
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
Turn right onto MO 34; MO 74 / Shawnee Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto MO 177 / South Sprigg Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Poplar Bluff, MO and Cape Girardeau, MO.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 41.2 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$12.53 one way
$25.06 round trip
| 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Poplar Bluff on Saturday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Cape Girardeau on Saturday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Forecast unavailable right now
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
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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Poplar Bluff, MO or browse trips ending in Cape Girardeau, MO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.
Explore maps for Poplar Bluff, MO or Cape Girardeau, MO on MapSof.net.
