This 327.3-mile drive from Richmond, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO will take about 6 hours and 17 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll primarily travel on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, and U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $50, this route through the Midwest is a straightforward journey. While it can be completed in a single day, plan for at least one stop to break up the drive. This trip offers a practical way to connect two points within Missouri.
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
163.6 miles from Richmond, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
102.6 mi
1h 58m
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
93.1 mi
1h 39m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
South Spartan Drive
25.5 mi
32m
Avenue of the Saints
25.1 mi
30m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
North Kingshighway
3.6 mi
6m
Broadway Street
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 102.6 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, MO and Cape Girardeau, MO.
1
Start on MO 10 Business
0.3 mi·48 sec·West Main Street
2
Turn right onto MO 13
25 mi·32 min·South Spartan Drive
3
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Columbia
4
Merge onto I 70; US 40
20 mi·21 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
5
Continue on I 70; US 40
32 mi·34 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi·24 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
7
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
9
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
11
Take the exit onto US 40
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 40
Exit 210AToward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
12
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 25Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward I 270 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 270
11 mi·14 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 1AToward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
18
Merge onto I 55
1.5 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
19
Continue on I 55
1.8 mi·2 min·Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
20
Continue on I 55
93 mi·1 hr 39 min·Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 99Toward US 61, MO 34, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau, Jackson
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 99Toward I 55 Business, US 61 South, MO 34 East: Cape Girardeau
23
Continue on I 55 Bus; US 61; MO 34
3.6 mi·6 min·North Kingshighway
24
Turn left onto Broadway Street
2.0 mi·3 min·Broadway Street
25
Arrive at destination
Broadway Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour, 17-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Richmond to maximize daylight. With a recommended one stop, plan to take a break around the halfway point or after covering the longest 102.6-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The $50 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check your fuel gauge, especially before heading into potentially less populated areas. Keep an eye out for the transitions between highway and local road segments, as these can sometimes involve unexpected turns or changes in speed.
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 163.6 miles from Richmond, MO, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.6 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 72 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163.6 miles or 3h 8m 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 10m
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 Richmond, 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 Richmond, MO
This is one driving day of about 327.3 miles and 6h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Richmond, 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 102.6 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 25.7 and 321.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
25.7 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the exit toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Columbia
8
211.9 mi into trip|~4h 6m 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
212.2 mi into trip|~4h 6m 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
224 mi into trip|~4h 21m 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
321.4 mi into trip|~6h 7m 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
$51.17 one way
$102.34 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg115 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$56.18
$112.36
premium
$4.89
$62.99
$125.97
diesel
$5.61
$72.26
$144.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.2
1
$34.37
$15.71
Efficient EV
81.8
0
$28.64
$13.09
EV Truck/SUV
130.9
1
$45.82
$20.95
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Richmond, MO
Evening
in Richmond on Saturday
Local time
8:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cape Girardeau, MO
Evening
in Cape Girardeau on Saturday
Local time
8:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Chesterfield, MO
164 mi in
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
28 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 17m 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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 270.9
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
~33 min detour
$19
near mile 225.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' on this route, with only 4% of the journey on major highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 102.6 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This means you'll experience a mix of driving conditions, moving from more open highway segments to navigating more local roads. The character of the drive will likely shift as you progress, requiring attention to changing speed limits and road types.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.6 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 25.7 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 15 significant decision points across 327.3 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 25.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212.2 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.
On the drive from Richmond, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 17m. Total distance: 327.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 17m 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 102.6 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 25.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212.2 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 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 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.
