Saint Peters, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO is 136.6 miles and takes about 2h 37m via Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, I 270, and I 70, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, traveling from one Missouri location to another. Expect a drive that involves more turns and local road navigation rather than a pure interstate cruise. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll have plenty of time to reach your destination without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
68.3 miles from Saint Peters, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
93.1 mi
1h 39m
I 270
19 mi
23m
I 70
13 mi
16m
North Kingshighway
3.6 mi
6m
Broadway Street
2 mi
3m
Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Rosa Parks Highway
1.5 mi
1m
MO 79
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
— 93.1 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Peters, MO and Cape Girardeau, MO.
1
Start on I 70
1.2 mi·1 min·I 70
2
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 220Toward MO 79: Elsberry, LouisianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Keep slight left at fork
384 ft·14 sec
Toward MO 79
4
Turn left onto MO 79
0.1 mi·11 sec·MO 79
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 70 EastUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 70
12 mi·14 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·12 sec
Exit 232Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 270 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·10 sec·this road
Exit 232Toward I 270 South: Memphis
10
Merge onto I 270
19 mi·23 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
11
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.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
13
Merge onto I 55
1.5 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
14
Continue on I 55
1.8 mi·2 min·Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I 55
93 mi·1 hr 39 min·Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 99Toward US 61, MO 34, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau, Jackson
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 99Toward I 55 Business, US 61 South, MO 34 East: Cape Girardeau
18
Continue on I 55 Bus; US 61; MO 34
3.6 mi·6 min·North Kingshighway
19
Turn left onto Broadway Street
2.0 mi·3 min·Broadway Street
20
Arrive at destination
Broadway Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 37m duration and 136.6-mile distance, this is a straightforward same-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and allow for any unexpected delays. While a dedicated stop isn't listed, the drive's character suggests opportunities to pull over in towns along the way. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you move off the main highways, and plan your refueling stops accordingly to avoid any inconvenience.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.3 miles from Saint Peters, MO, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.1 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 30 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.3 miles or 1h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 7m
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 Saint Peters, 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 Saint Peters, MO
This is one driving day of about 136.6 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Saint Peters, 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 Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway for about 93.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 130.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
1.2 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the exit toward MO 79: Elsberry, Louisiana
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 220
Toward MO 79: Elsberry, Louisiana
8
13.6 mi into trip|~17m 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 232
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
7
13.8 mi into trip|~17m 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
33.3 mi into trip|~41m 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
130.7 mi into trip|~2h 27m 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
$21.36 one way
$42.71 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.45
$46.90
premium
$4.89
$26.29
$52.57
diesel
$5.61
$30.16
$60.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41
0
$14.34
$6.56
Efficient EV
34.2
0
$11.95
$5.46
EV Truck/SUV
54.6
0
$19.12
$8.74
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Saint Peters, MO
Night
in Saint Peters on Saturday
Local time
9:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Sunny
NW 10 to 16 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cape Girardeau, MO
Night
in Cape Girardeau on Saturday
Local time
9:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Arnold, MO
68 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
23 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
2h 37m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 80.1
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a "turn-heavy local drive" experience, meaning you'll navigate a mix of roads beyond just the main highways. While 24% of the drive is on highways, the majority involves more localized travel. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 93.1 miles on the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway. This suggests periods of faster travel interspersed with more frequent turns and changes in speed as you transition between different road types.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93.1 mi on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 1.2 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 14 significant decision points across 136.6 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 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.8 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 Saint Peters, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 37m. Total distance: 136.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93.1 miles on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.8 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cape Girardeau, MO before heading back.
