Spanning 373.7 miles across the Missouri landscape, this journey from Smithville to Cape Girardeau typically requires about 5 hours and 37 minutes of travel time. You will navigate a path that transitions from local roads like West Main Street onto I-435 East and I-70 to cover the distance. Because the total duration is under six hours, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, though your preference for pacing will dictate if you need an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $57 for fuel to complete the transit between these two Midwest locations. It is a straightforward route that moves you efficiently through the heart of the state.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
185.2 miles from Smithville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 28m 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 435
21.1 mi
23m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.6 mi
6m
US 169
5.4 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 135.3 mi, about 2h 34m
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 Smithville, MO and Cape Girardeau, MO.
1
Start on this road
67 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto MO DD
0.2 mi·40 sec·West Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 169
5.4 mi·7 min·US 169
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·52 sec
Toward I 435 East: Saint LouisUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 435
21 mi·23 min·I 435
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24
0.3 mi·23 sec·US 24
Exit 63Toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
7
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·1 min
Toward I 70 East: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
469 ft·11 sec
Toward I 70 East: Saint LouisUse the slight left / straight lanes.
32 mi·34 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi·24 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
16
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower 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
1.9 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
19
Continue on I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
20
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
21
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 25Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward I 270 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
24
Merge onto I 270
11 mi·14 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
25
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.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
27
Merge onto I 55
1.5 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
28
Continue on I 55
1.8 mi·2 min·Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
29
Continue on I 55
93 mi·1 hr 39 min·Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 99Toward US 61, MO 34, I 55 Business: Cape Girardeau, Jackson
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 99Toward I 55 Business, US 61 South, MO 34 East: Cape Girardeau
32
Continue on I 55 Bus; US 61; MO 34
3.6 mi·6 min·North Kingshighway
33
Turn left onto Broadway Street
2.0 mi·3 min·Broadway Street
34
Arrive at destination
Broadway Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 37-minute duration, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and potential traffic congestion on busier stretches. You only need to factor in about one main stop to keep your energy levels consistent throughout the 373.7-mile drive. Since the route involves navigating West Main Street and several interstate transitions, keep a close eye on your GPS to avoid missing critical turns during the local portions of the trip. With a fuel budget of $57, it is wise to monitor your gas gauge before leaving Smithville to ensure you have enough range for the initial segments. Embrace the flexibility of a one-day trip by planning your single rest break around the midpoint to make the time behind the wheel feel more productive.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 185.2 miles from Smithville, MO, or about 3h 28m 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 82 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.2 miles or 3h 28m 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 55m
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 Smithville, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Smithville, MO
This is one driving day of about 370.5 miles and 7h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Smithville, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 27.1 and 364.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
27.1 mi into trip|~33m in|US 24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24 toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 63
Toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Ka...
7
27.3 mi into trip|~33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
8
255 mi into trip|~4h 52m 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
267.2 mi into trip|~5h 7m 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
364.6 mi into trip|~6h 53m 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
$54.71 one way
$109.43 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$60.40
$120.81
premium
$4.72
$68.79
$137.58
diesel
$4.80
$69.96
$139.91
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: 129.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.2
1
$38.90
$17.78
Efficient EV
92.6
1
$32.42
$14.82
EV Truck/SUV
148.2
1
$51.87
$23.71
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
43 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Smithville, MO
Evening
in Smithville on Saturday
Local time
8:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Patchy Fog
S 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cape Girardeau, MO
Evening
in Cape Girardeau on Saturday
Local time
8:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
W 1 mph3% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
7h 3m 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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 319.4
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
$19
near mile 268.3
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 that demands your full attention as you transition between different road types. While the route utilizes major arteries like I-70, it lacks a high highway percentage, meaning you will spend significant time navigating local segments rather than just cruising on an interstate grind. The personality of this drive is defined by its mix of technical local maneuvering and broader highway stretches. You should be prepared for varying road conditions that shift as you move away from Smithville and head toward your destination. This is not a monotonous highway haul, but rather a more engaging, active driving experience.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
34 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 27.1 miles in near US 24.
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 20 significant decision points across 370.5 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 27.1 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 255 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
878 ft352 ft
Total Climb
378 ft
Total Descent
841 ft
Highest Point
878 ft
~158.8 mi in
Elevation Range
526 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Smithville, MO and Cape Girardeau, MO, road signs point toward Kansas City, Sports Complex and Memphis.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 3m. Total distance: 370.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 3m 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.
Yes — we found about 42 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 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 42 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 27.1 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 255 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 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 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.
