Drive Time
5h 37m
Distance
373.7 mi
601 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
Photo: Craig Picariello
The drive from Smithville, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO covers 373.7 miles and takes about 5h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West Main Street, I 435 East, I 70 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $56.76 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
186.8 miles from Smithville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 37m drive with frequent turns across 373.7 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
This is a straightforward 5h 37m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Smithville, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 435 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 70 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 70 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| George Brett Super Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Clifton J | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dwight D | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Smithville, MO and Cape Girardeau, MO.
Start on the route
Turn left onto West Main Street
Turn left
Take the exit slight right toward I 435 East: Saint Louis
Merge slight left
Keep slight right to continue on I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
Keep slight left to continue on I 70 East: Saint Louis
Keep slight left to continue on I 70 East: Saint Louis
Merge slight left onto George Brett Super Highway
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
Take the exit slight right toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
Keep slight right to continue on I 270 South: Memphis
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Memphis
Merge slight left onto Rosa Parks Highway
Continue on Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
Continue on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Take the exit slight right toward US 61, MO 34, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau, Jackson
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 Business, US 61 South, MO 34 East: Cape Girardeau
Continue on North Kingshighway
Turn left onto Broadway Street
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 82 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 186.8 miles or 2h 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 4h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cape Girardeau, MO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Smithville, 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 Smithville, MO
This is one driving day of about 373.7 miles and 5h 37m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 186.8 mi from Smithville, MO · 2h 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
187 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 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 186.8 miles from Smithville, 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
$56.76 one way
$113.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $62.57 | $125.15 |
| premium | $4.80 | $70.55 | $141.09 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $83.02 | $166.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 112.1 | 1 | $39.24 | $17.94 |
| Efficient EV | 93.4 | 1 | $32.70 | $14.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 149.5 | 1 | $52.32 | $23.92 |
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Smithville on Sunday
Local time
12:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Cape Girardeau on Sunday
Local time
12:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
57°F
Alton, IL
187 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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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