Origin
Raymore, MO
Afternoon in Raymore on Friday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Raymore, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 53m
Distance
357.2 mi
575 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 42m
★
6 AM
6h 54m
8 AM
7h 17m
10 AM
7h 2m
12 PM
7h 0m
3 PM
7h 3m
5 PM
7h 16m
8 PM
6h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Raymore, MO
JAX pixels
Cape Girardeau, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Raymore to Cape Girardeau is 357.2 miles and takes about 6 hours 53 minutes via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a drive that primarily uses surface roads, so plan for a more leisurely pace than a pure interstate trip. Given the duration and road type, it's a manageable one-day drive.
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
178.6 miles from Raymore, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 26m 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 |
| MO 291 | 17.1 mi | 23m |
| I 270 | 11.5 mi | 14m |
| North Kingshighway | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| MO 58 | 2.6 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 135.3 mi, about 2h 34m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,930 veh/hr typical · worst 3,487
Quietest
1 AM
~260 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 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 Raymore, MO and Cape Girardeau, MO.
1
Start on East Olive Street
88 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Olive Street
2
Turn right onto South Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
36 sec
·
South Washington Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto MO 58
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
East Walnut Street
4
Enter roundabout onto MO 58
139 ft
·
2 sec
·
MO 58
5
Continue on MO 58
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
MO 58
6
Enter roundabout onto MO 58
125 ft
·
2 sec
·
MO 58
7
Continue on MO 58
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
MO 58
8
Enter roundabout onto MO 58
106 ft
·
2 sec
·
MO 58
9
Continue on MO 58
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
MO 58
10
Turn left onto MO 291
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
MO 291
11
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
MO 291
Toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia
12
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
MO 291
Toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn left
300 ft
·
7 sec
14
Continue on MO 291
9.4 mi
·
12 min
·
MO 291
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 16B
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 70
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
17
Continue on I 70
53 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
18
Continue on I 70; US 40
32 mi
·
34 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi
·
24 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
20
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
21
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
22
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
23
Continue on I 70; US 40
81 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
24
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
25
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi
·
30 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 25
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
Use the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 270 South: Memphis
Use the slight right lane.
28
Merge onto I 270
11 mi
·
14 min
·
I 270
Use the straight lane.
29
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.
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
31
Merge onto I 55
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Rosa Parks Highway
32
Continue on I 55
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
33
Continue on I 55
93 mi
·
1 hr 39 min
·
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 99
Toward US 61, MO 34, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau, Jackson
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 99
Toward I 55 Business, US 61 South, MO 34 East: Cape Girardeau
36
Continue on I 55 Bus; US 61; MO 34
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
North Kingshighway
37
Turn left onto Broadway Street
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Broadway Street
38
Arrive at destination
Broadway Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6 hour 53 minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Raymore to maximize daylight. With the majority of the route on surface roads, you'll want to factor in extra time for potential traffic or slower speeds, especially if you plan to stop. The longest stretch without a major road change is 135.3 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, so plan your fuel and rest breaks around this. With a fuel cost estimate of $55, it's a budget-friendly trip, but always keep an eye on your gauge, particularly before heading onto longer surface road segments.
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 178.6 miles from Raymore, MO, or about 3h 26m 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 79 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.6 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 45m
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 Raymore, 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 Raymore, MO
This is one driving day of about 357.2 miles and 6h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Raymore, 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
179 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 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 178.6 miles from Raymore, 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 235 decision points cluster between mile 12 and 351.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
12 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
MO 291
Take the exit onto MO 291 toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road
7
21.6 mi into trip
|
~32m 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
241.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 42m 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
8
253.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 58m 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
351.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 43m 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
$55.38 one way
$110.76 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
125 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $60.72 | $121.45 |
| premium | $4.93 | $69.30 | $138.60 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $78.74 | $157.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 107.2 | 1 | $37.51 | $17.15 |
| Efficient EV | 89.3 | 1 | $31.26 | $14.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 142.9 | 1 | $50.01 | $22.86 |
Gas CO2
125 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.
Destination
Cape Girardeau, MO
Afternoon in Cape Girardeau on Friday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°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
1 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 53m 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
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 307.9
Park Closure: Janis-Ziegler House (Green Tree Tavern) Closed
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
$19
near mile 246.3
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 surface roads, with only 9% of the route on highways. You'll encounter the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for your longest stretch at 135.3 miles. After the highway portion, expect to transition to surface roads, which often means more frequent intersections and lower average speeds. Keep an eye out for the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway and U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway as you progress.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
38 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 12 miles in near MO 291.
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 23 significant decision points across 357.2 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 12 miles (MO 291): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.7 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
1,096 ft
352 ft
Total Climb
386 ft
Total Descent
1,131 ft
Highest Point
1,096 ft
Elevation Range
745 ft
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 Raymore, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Memphis
241.7 mi in
|
~4h 42m
About the Cities
Starting in Raymore, MO
Full guide →Founded 1872
Arriving in Cape Girardeau, MO
Full guide →Founded 1793
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.
Top landmarks
- • Fort D — fort in Missouri
- • Old Lorimier Cemetery — historic cemetery in Cape Gurardeau County, Missouri
- • St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church — church building in Cape Girardeau, United States of America
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 53m. Total distance: 357.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 53m 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 12 miles (MO 291): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.7 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 13.8 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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