Cape Girardeau to Gladstone is 355.3 miles and takes about 6h 52m via I 55 and Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $63 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, connecting two points in the Midwest region. You'll find a mix of highway cruising and surface road travel on this trip. Given the relatively short driving time, it’s a straightforward option for a single-day transit, but be prepared for a transition from primarily highway to more local roads as you approach your destination.
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
177.7 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
95.1 mi
1h 42m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi
1h 35m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
54.3 mi
58m
Avenue of the Saints
25.4 mi
30m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.6 mi
6m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
4.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 95.1 mi, about 1h 42m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 23 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,281 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,830
Quietest
1 AM
~292 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Gladstone, 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
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit onto US 40
0.6 mi·1 min·US 40
Exit 1AToward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
16
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
17
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
18
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
19
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Exit 8BToward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 435; US 24
4.1 mi·4 min·Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
27
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 57Toward East Front StreetUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn left
178 ft·4 sec
Toward East Front Street, Riverfront Park AccessUse the left lane.
29
Continue on East Front Street
1.3 mi·2 min·East Front Street
Use the straight lane.
30
Turn right onto North Chouteau Trafficway
1.6 mi·2 min·North Chouteau Trafficway
31
Continue on MO 269
1.7 mi·3 min·Northeast Chouteau Parkway
32
Continue on Northeast Chouteau Trafficway
1.6 mi·3 min·Northeast Chouteau Trafficway
33
Turn right onto MO 1
0.6 mi·1 min·North Antioch Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Turn left onto Northeast 60th Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Northeast 60th Street
35
At end of road, turn right onto North Howard Avenue
343 ft·20 sec·North Howard Avenue
36
Turn left onto Northeast 60th Terrace
372 ft·22 sec·Northeast 60th Terrace
37
Turn sharp right onto North Garfield Avenue
133 ft·6 sec·North Garfield Avenue
38
Arrive at destination
North Garfield Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 6h 52m drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Gladstone before evening. The route is manageable in a single day, so you have flexibility with stops. Plan for one significant stop to break up the longest stretch of 95.1 miles on I 55. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off the main highways, as fuel availability might become less frequent. The estimated $63 fuel cost is a good budget benchmark for this trip.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 177.7 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO, or about 3h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.1 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 78 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 177.7 miles or 3h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gladstone, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cape Girardeau, MO
This is one driving day of about 355.3 miles and 6h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Cape Girardeau, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 95.1 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 140.9 — 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...
8
140.9 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|US 40
Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.07 one way
$118.14 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg124 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$64.35
$128.69
premium
$5.18
$72.50
$145.00
diesel
$5.35
$74.84
$149.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.6
1
$37.31
$17.05
Efficient EV
88.8
1
$31.09
$14.21
EV Truck/SUV
142.1
1
$49.74
$22.74
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
42 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
Gladstone, MO
Afternoon
in Gladstone on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 5 mph19% 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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 52m 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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 49
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$19
near mile 110.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is about 31% highway, meaning a good portion of your 355.3 miles will be on faster-paced roads like I 55. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 95.1 miles on I 55, offering a solid period of consistent driving. Expect a shift from highway speeds to surface roads as you progress through Missouri. The final miles will involve navigating more local traffic and potentially more frequent exits or intersections.
31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95.1 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort9/10
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 355.3 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
Mostly flat terrain
938 ft352 ft
Total Climb
907 ft
Total Descent
321 ft
Highest Point
938 ft
~355.3 mi in
Elevation Range
586 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 Gladstone, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 52m. Total distance: 355.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 95.1 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 41 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 Gladstone, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 41 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 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gladstone, MO before the return drive.
