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Trip from Cape Girardeau, MO to Arnold, MO

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 51m

Distance

98.1 mi

158 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 43m ★
6 AM
1h 52m
8 AM
2h 8m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 56m
3 PM
1h 58m
5 PM
2h 7m
8 PM
1h 47m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Cape Girardeau and Scott Counties in the U.S. state of Missouri

Cape Girardeau, MO

Wikimedia Commons

city in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States

Arnold, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 98.1-mile drive from Cape Girardeau, MO, to Arnold, MO, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 51 minutes. It's an ideal day trip, making it convenient for a quick getaway or an easy commute. The majority of this journey, 92%, is highway driving, with a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 89.8 miles on I-55. You can expect a fuel cost of around $15 for this route. Both the origin and destination are within the Midwest region, offering a consistent, familiar driving experience.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

49.1 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 89.8 mi 1h 36m
North Kingshighway 3.6 mi 5m
Broadway Street 2 mi 3m
Jeffco Boulevard 1.4 mi 2m
Saint Johns Church Road 0.4 mi 1m
Richardson Road 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 89.8 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cape Girardeau, MO and Arnold, MO.

1

Start on Broadway Street

2.0 mi · 3 min · Broadway Street
2

Turn right onto I 55 Bus; US 61; MO 34

3.6 mi · 5 min · North Kingshighway
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
4

Merge onto I 55

90 mi · 1 hr 36 min · I 55
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 190 Toward Richardson Road
6

Keep slight right at fork

167 ft · 4 sec
Exit 190 Toward I 55 Bypass: Missouri Baptist University
7

Turn straight onto Richardson Road

0.3 mi · 39 sec · Richardson Road
8

Turn left onto Saint Johns Church Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Saint Johns Church Road
9

Turn left onto US 61; US 67

1.4 mi · 2 min · Jeffco Boulevard
10

Arrive at destination

US 61; US 67

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short 1 hour and 51-minute duration and 98.1-mile distance, this trip is best tackled in a single day. You can depart whenever it suits you, but consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the heaviest commuter traffic. With minimal stops recommended (0), you can focus on reaching Arnold efficiently. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the long 89.8-mile stretch on I-55, as services can be spread out between exits. The manageable fuel cost of approximately $15 means you won't need to budget heavily for gas.

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 49.1 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.8 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 22 miles or 27m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 49.1 miles or 56m 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 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arnold, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Cape Girardeau, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Cape Girardeau, MO

This is one driving day of about 98.1 miles and 1h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 89.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Crystal City, MO

49 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

Perryville, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Crystal City, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 49.1 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

QTea Vietnamese Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Arnold, Missouri

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+16363332869

Visit website

Shogun Japanese Sushi and Hibachi

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

2.3 mi

QTea Vietnamese Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Arnold, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+16363332869

Visit website

Shogun Japanese Sushi and Hibachi

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+15733353090

Visit website

IHOP

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15738033138

Visit website

Cafe Genevieve

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Ste. Genevieve, Missouri

Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm

+15738833562

Subway

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour Inexpensiv

Jackson, Missouri

Hours: 8:30 am–9:30 pm

+15732043092

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 6

5 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 96.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

3
5.6 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the ramp toward I 55 North: Saint Louis

Navigation decision point

Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
3
5.9 mi into trip | ~10m in | I 55

Merge onto I 55

Merge point - match speed before joining

5
95.8 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in

Take the exit toward Richardson Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 190 Toward Richardson Road
7
96 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 Bypass: Missouri Baptist University

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 190 Toward I 55 Bypass: Missouri Baptist University
4
96.3 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in | Saint Johns Church Road

Turn left onto Saint Johns Church Road

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.34 one way

$30.67 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $16.84 $33.68
premium $4.89 $18.88 $37.76
diesel $5.61 $21.66 $43.32

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.4 0 $10.30 $4.71
Efficient EV 24.5 0 $8.58 $3.92
EV Truck/SUV 39.2 0 $13.73 $6.28

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (68% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Cape Girardeau, MO

Late night in Cape Girardeau on Tuesday

Local time

5:49 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Arnold, MO

Late night in Arnold on Tuesday

Local time

5:49 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

73°F

Crystal City, MO

49 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

1 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 51m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park

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 ~12 min detour Free near mile 54.1
View on nps.gov
Gateway Arch National Park

Gateway Arch National Park

National Park

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...

17 mi from route ~42 min detour $19 near mile 98.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Primarily a highway-focused drive, this route is characterized by its high percentage of interstate travel, with 92% of the 98.1 miles on major highways. You'll spend the bulk of your time on I-55, including a significant 89.8-mile stretch where you can maintain a steady pace. While the focus is on efficient travel, you'll transition onto North Kingshighway and Broadway Street as you approach your destination in Arnold. This shift from high-speed interstate to more local thoroughfares marks the final leg of your journey.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.8 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

2/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and North Kingshighway. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Cape Girardeau, MO to Arnold, MO is easy. At 1h 51m with 92% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 5.9 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 95.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

677 ft 352 ft

Total Climb

797 ft

Total Descent

546 ft

Highest Point

677 ft

~56.1 mi in

Elevation Range

326 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Cape Girardeau, MO

Full guide →

Cape Girardeau is a city named after a French soldier/trader in southeastern Missouri. Watch out for murals and flood walls in this college town.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 98.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 89.8 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 5.9 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 95.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Yes — Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park and Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Arnold, MO before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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