Origin
Lee's Summit, MO
Late night in Lee's Summit on Tuesday
Local time
3:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lee's Summit, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 35m
Distance
345.3 mi
556 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 23m
★
6 AM
6h 35m
8 AM
7h 0m
10 AM
6h 44m
12 PM
6h 42m
3 PM
6h 45m
5 PM
6h 58m
8 PM
6h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lee's Summit, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Cape Girardeau, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lee's Summit, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO is 345.3 miles and takes about 6h 35m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, moving from one part of Missouri to another. It's a manageable, single-day drive that mostly utilizes surface roads once you're off the main highways. Expect a straightforward drive with a clear route, making it a good option if you prefer a direct path.
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
172.7 miles from Lee's Summit, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 135.3 mi | 2h 34m |
| Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway | 93.1 mi | 1h 39m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 25.1 mi | 30m |
| I 270 | 11.5 mi | 14m |
| I 470 | 7 mi | 8m |
| North Kingshighway | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Southeast Douglas Street | 2.2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 135.3 mi, about 2h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lee's Summit, MO and Cape Girardeau, MO.
1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
2
Continue on Southeast 3rd Street
358 ft
·
16 sec
·
Southeast 3rd Street
3
Turn left onto Southeast Douglas Street
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Southeast Douglas Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 470 North: Independence, Saint Louis
5
Merge onto I 470
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
I 470
Toward I 470 North: Saint Louis
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 16B
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 70
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
8
Continue on I 70
53 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
9
Continue on I 70; US 40
32 mi
·
34 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi
·
24 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
81 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15
Take the exit onto US 40
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
US 40
Exit 210A
Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
16
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi
·
30 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 25
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 270 South: Memphis
Use the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 270
11 mi
·
14 min
·
I 270
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 1A
Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
22
Merge onto I 55
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Rosa Parks Highway
23
Continue on I 55
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
24
Continue on I 55
93 mi
·
1 hr 39 min
·
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 99
Toward US 61, MO 34, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau, Jackson
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 99
Toward I 55 Business, US 61 South, MO 34 East: Cape Girardeau
27
Continue on I 55 Bus; US 61; MO 34
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
North Kingshighway
28
Turn left onto Broadway Street
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Broadway Street
29
Arrive at destination
Broadway Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 35m estimated drive time, leaving Lee's Summit in the morning should allow you to reach Cape Girardeau with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically, perhaps around the halfway point to stretch your legs. The estimated fuel cost of $54 is helpful for budgeting your expenses. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to surface roads, as gas stations may be less frequent than on interstates. The longest highway segment is 135.3 miles, so plan your fuel needs accordingly before heading onto that stretch.
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 172.7 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.3 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 76 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.7 miles or 3h 15m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cape Girardeau, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lee's Summit, 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 Lee's Summit, MO
This is one driving day of about 345.3 miles and 6h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Lee's Summit, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 135.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
173 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 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 172.7 miles from Lee's Summit, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.3 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 9.8 and 339.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
9.8 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 16B
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
8
229.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
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 25
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
7
230.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 270 South: Memphis
8
242.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis...
8
339.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 Business, US 61 South, MO 34 East: Cape Girardeau
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 99
Toward I 55 Business, US 61 South, MO 34 East:...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.98 one way
$107.97 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
121 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $59.27 | $118.54 |
| premium | $4.89 | $66.45 | $132.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $76.24 | $152.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 103.6 | 1 | $36.26 | $16.57 |
| Efficient EV | 86.3 | 0 | $30.21 | $13.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 138.1 | 1 | $48.34 | $22.10 |
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Cape Girardeau, MO
Late night in Cape Girardeau on Tuesday
Local time
3:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°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
7 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 35m 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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 289.6
View on nps.gov
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...
13 mi from route
~34 min detour
$19
near mile 241.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly on surface roads, with only about 5% of the total mileage on highways. You'll spend the bulk of your time navigating through towns and rural areas. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 135.3 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, after which you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of the trip. Be prepared for frequent intersections and lower speed limits as you pass through populated areas.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 135.3 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 345.3 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 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 229.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 230.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Memphis
229.9 mi in
|
~4h 24m
About the Cities
Arriving 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 6h 35m. Total distance: 345.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 35m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 135.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Cape Girardeau, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 229.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 230.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cape Girardeau, MO before the return drive.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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