Carthage, MO to New York, MO is 209.4 miles and takes about 3h 56m via Purple Heart Trail, Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, and I 435, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region for its entirety. Expect a mixed driving experience that's manageable for a single day. It's a straightforward trip connecting two points within the same state, making it a convenient option for local travel or a segment of a larger journey.
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
104.7 miles from Carthage, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage, MO and New York, MO.
1
Start on South Grant Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·South Grant Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto US Historic 66; MO 96
0.2 mi·39 sec·East Central Avenue
3
Turn right onto North Garrison Avenue
1.7 mi·3 min·North Garrison Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·26 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
5
Continue on I 49; US 71
10 mi·11 min·Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
6
Continue on I 49; US 71
116 mi·2 hr 5 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 435 North: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 435
18 mi·20 min·I 435
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi·1 min·I435 N
10
Continue on I 435
0.1 mi·9 sec·I 435
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 52B I35Toward I 35: Kansas City, Des MoinesUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit I35 NToward I 35 North, MO 110 East: Des MoinesUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 35; MO 110
6.3 mi·7 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; MO 110
35 mi·37 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
15
Take the exit onto MO 110
0.2 mi·33 sec·MO 110
Exit 54Toward US 36, MO 110 East, I 35 Business: Cameron, Hamilton
16
Turn right onto US 36; MO 110
16 mi·18 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
17
Turn right onto MO B
3.5 mi·8 min·MO B
18
Arrive at destination
MO B
Trip Plan
Given the drive's manageable duration of under 4 hours, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, perhaps in the morning to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, consider planning it around the halfway point or where you anticipate needing fuel, as the estimated fuel cost is $33. A key consideration for this route is the 116.2-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail; ensure your fuel tank is adequately filled before embarking on this longer segment to avoid any unnecessary detours. Arriving in New York, MO, with plenty of daylight left will allow for a relaxed conclusion to your trip.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 104.7 miles from Carthage, MO, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.2 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 46 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.7 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Carthage, 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 Carthage, MO
This is one driving day of about 209.4 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Carthage, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 116.2 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 189.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US Historic 66; MO 96 / East Central Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto US Historic 66; MO 96 / East Central Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
129.2 mi into trip|~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward I 435 North: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 435 North: Des Moines
9
148.5 mi into trip|~2h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 35: Kansas City, Des Moines
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 52B I35
Toward I 35: Kansas City, Des Moines
9
148.6 mi into trip|~2h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35 North, MO 110 East: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit I35 N
Toward I 35 North, MO 110 East: Des Moines
6
189.8 mi into trip|~3h 29m in|MO 110
Take the exit onto MO 110 toward US 36, MO 110 East, I 35 Business: Cameron, Hamilton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 54
Toward US 36, MO 110 East, I 35 Business: Camer...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.74 one way
$65.47 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$35.94
$71.89
premium
$4.89
$40.30
$80.59
diesel
$5.61
$46.23
$92.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.8
0
$21.99
$10.05
Efficient EV
52.4
0
$18.32
$8.38
EV Truck/SUV
83.8
1
$29.32
$13.40
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 15, 2026
Origin
Carthage, MO
Night
in Carthage on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New York, MO
Night
in New York on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Garden City, MO
105 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
10 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 56m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
George Washington Carver National Monument
National Monument
The young child known as the "Plant Doctor" tended his secret garden while observing the day-to-day operations of a 19th century farm. Nature and nurture ultimately influenced George on his quest for...
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 mixed drive experience, with 36% of it on highways. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, covering 116.2 miles. This suggests a substantial portion of the journey will involve more direct highway travel before transitioning to other main roads like the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and I 435. The character of the drive will likely shift, offering both faster highway sections and potentially more varied local road conditions as you progress through Missouri.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116.2 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US Historic 66; MO 96 / East Central Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 209.4 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 0.1 miles (US Historic 66; MO 96 / East Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 129.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Carthage, MO and New York, MO, road signs point toward Des Moines and Hamilton.
Des Moines
148.5 mi in|~2h 44m
Hamilton
189.8 mi in|~3h 29m|via MO 110
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 56m. Total distance: 209.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 116.2 miles on Purple Heart Trail. 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 New York, 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 0.1 miles (US Historic 66; MO 96 / East Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 129.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — George Washington Carver National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at New York, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
