Cape Girardeau, MO to Cameron, MO is 374 miles and takes about 7h 18m via I 55 and Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, with a fuel budget near $66 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, taking you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The route is primarily highway driving, making it a straightforward trip if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. With just one day recommended, it's a solid option for a quick transit between these two points.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
187 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
149.3 mi
2h 52m
Avenue of the Saints
98.8 mi
1h 57m
I 55
95.1 mi
1h 42m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
V.F.W. Memorial Highway
5.8 mi
6m
North Kingshighway
3.6 mi
5m
Veterans Road
2.2 mi
3m
Broadway Street
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
— 149.3 mi, about 2h 52m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~719 veh/hr typical
· worst 962
Quietest
2 AM
~67 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape Girardeau, MO and Cameron, 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
95 mi·1 hr 42 min·I 55
5
Continue on I 55
1.3 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 196Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
388 ft·8 sec
Toward I 270 West: Kansas CityUse the slight left lane.
8
Continue on this road
0.7 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 196Toward I 270 West
9
Merge onto I 270
11 mi·14 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
12
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·9 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
13
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
99 mi·1 hr 57 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
249 ft·14 sec
15
Turn left onto Paris Gravel Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Paris Gravel Road
16
Keep slight right at fork onto County Road 422
279 ft·8 sec·County Road 422
17
Turn right onto Veterans Road
2.2 mi·3 min·Veterans Road
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Monroe City
19
Merge onto US 36; MO 110
5.8 mi·6 min·V.F.W. Memorial Highway
20
Continue on US 24; US 36; MO 110
149 mi·2 hr 52 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
21
Take the exit onto I 35 Business; US 36 Business
0.2 mi·27 sec·I 35 Business; US 36 Business
Toward US 69, I 35 Business, US 36 Business: Cameron, Winston
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 Business; US 36 Business
112 ft·6 sec·I 35 Business; US 36 Business
Toward US 69, I 35 Business, US 36 Business: Cameron, Winston
23
Turn left onto I 35 Business; US 69; US 36 Business
0.9 mi·2 min·North Walnut Street
24
Turn right onto East 4th Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·East 4th Street
25
Turn left onto North Cherry Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·North Cherry Street
26
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
336 ft·14 sec·West 2nd Street
27
Arrive at destination
West 2nd Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from Cape Girardeau to maximize daylight. With a recommended one-day trip, you can comfortably complete this drive without needing an overnight stop. Plan for about two stops to stretch your legs and refuel, which should be easy to find along the major highways. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 149.3-mile stretch on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, as services might be less frequent in certain sections.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 187 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO, or about 3h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 149.3 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 82 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187 miles or 3h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cameron, 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.
+
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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cape Girardeau, MO
This is one driving day of about 374 miles and 7h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway for about 149.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 102.3 and 372.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
102.3 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 196
Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chi...
8
102.6 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
8
114.9 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Lo...
8
115 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Went...
7
372.7 mi into trip|~7h 15m in|I 35 Business; US 36 Business
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 Business; US 36 Business toward US 69, I 35 Business, US 36 Business: Cameron, Winston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 69, I 35 Business, US 36 Business: Ca...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.18 one way
$124.36 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg131 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$67.73
$135.46
premium
$5.18
$76.32
$152.63
diesel
$5.35
$78.78
$157.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112.2
1
$39.27
$17.95
Efficient EV
93.5
1
$32.73
$14.96
EV Truck/SUV
149.6
1
$52.36
$23.94
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.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Cape Girardeau, MO
Afternoon
in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 1 mph34% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:06AM CDT until June 1 at 4:45AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:04AM CDT until June 1 at 4:30AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Cameron, MO
Afternoon
in Cameron on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 5 mph28% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:06AM CDT until June 1 at 4:45AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:04AM CDT until June 1 at 4:30AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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
7h 18m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 51.6
Park Closure: Janis-Ziegler House (Green Tree Tavern) Closed
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
$19
near mile 103.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is mostly highway, with 68% of the 374 miles spent on major roads like I 55 and the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 149.3 miles on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, meaning long stretches of consistent cruising. Expect a fairly continuous flow of traffic and numerous exits along the highway portions, transitioning to less developed areas as you approach your destination.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 149.3 mi on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and Avenue of the Saints. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 102.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 374 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 102.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,032 ft352 ft
Total Climb
1,070 ft
Total Descent
390 ft
Highest Point
1,032 ft
~374 mi in
Elevation Range
680 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cape Girardeau, MO and Cameron, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 18m. Total distance: 374 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 18m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 149.3 miles on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Cameron, MO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 102.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park and Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cameron, MO before the return drive.
