Origin
Cape Girardeau, MO
Night in Cape Girardeau on Saturday
Local time
11:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cape Girardeau, MO to De Soto, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 46m
Distance
92.6 mi
149 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 39m
★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 3m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 2m
8 PM
1h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cape Girardeau, MO
Wikimedia Commons
De Soto, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Cape Girardeau to De Soto, you are looking at a straightforward 92.6-mile trek across Missouri. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 46 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. You will primarily rely on I-55, US-67, and MO-110 to complete the journey. With a total estimated fuel cost of just $14, it is an economical route that requires minimal logistical planning. Since the drive is relatively short and stays entirely within the Midwest, you can easily complete it in one go without needing an overnight stay. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that prioritizes efficiency over scenic detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.3 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 74.3 mi | 1h 19m |
| US 67 | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| MO 110 | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| North Kingshighway | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| Broadway Street | 2 mi | 3m |
| Fountain City Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Easton Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 74.3 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cape Girardeau, MO and De Soto, 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
74 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
I 55
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 174A
Toward US 67 North: Crystal City
6
Turn slight left onto US 67
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
US 67
7
Enter roundabout onto US 67
155 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 67
8
Continue on US 67
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
US 67
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward MO CC, MO 110: Olympian Village, De Soto
10
Turn right onto MO 110
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
MO 110
11
Turn left onto Fountain City Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Fountain City Road
12
Turn left onto North Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
13
Turn right onto Easton Street
435 ft
·
19 sec
·
Easton Street
14
Arrive at destination
Easton Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a short trip under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Since the entire route requires no scheduled stops, you can easily tailor your departure to avoid local rush hour traffic if necessary. Keep in mind that the majority of your time is spent on I-55, so stay alert for standard highway traffic patterns. Budgeting $14 for fuel should keep your wallet happy, but it is always wise to fill your tank before leaving Cape Girardeau to avoid mid-route interruptions. Use the simplicity of the 92.6-mile journey to your advantage by planning your arrival in De Soto for mid-morning or early afternoon to maximize your time at the destination.
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 46.3 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.3 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 20 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.3 miles or 53m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near De Soto, 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 92.6 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 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 74.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 46.3 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 91.9 — 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
5
80.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward US 67 North: Crystal City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 174A
Toward US 67 North: Crystal City
4
80.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
|
US 67
Enter roundabout onto US 67
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
86.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward MO CC, MO 110: Olympian Village, De Soto
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MO CC, MO 110: Olympian Village, De Soto
4
91.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
North Main Street
Turn left onto North Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.48 one way
$28.95 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.90 | $31.79 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.82 | $35.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.44 | $40.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.72 | $4.44 |
| Efficient EV | 23.2 | 0 | $8.10 | $3.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37 | 0 | $12.96 | $5.93 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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
De Soto, MO
Night in De Soto on Saturday
Local time
11:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
26 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 46m 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
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 54.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 91% of your time spent on major roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 74.3 miles along I-55. The personality of the drive is consistent and functional, leaning into a highway-focused experience rather than winding backroads. As you transition from the interstate onto US-67 and MO-110, the road character shifts slightly, but you remain on high-speed thoroughfares for the duration. Expect a steady, predictable pace that allows you to cover the distance effectively without technical driving challenges.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.3 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 67. 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 De Soto, MO is easy. At 1h 46m with 91% 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 80.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 80.9 miles (US 67): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
654 ft
352 ft
Total Climb
805 ft
Total Descent
621 ft
Highest Point
654 ft
~88.8 mi in
Elevation Range
302 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 46m. Total distance: 92.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 74.3 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 80.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 80.9 miles (US 67): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes — Ste. Geneviève National Historical 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 De Soto, 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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