Des Peres, MO to New York, MO is 247.7 miles and takes about 4h 57m via Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Midwest region, offering a straightforward drive between two points in Missouri. With a recommended single day for travel, it's a good option if you're looking for a relatively quick trip without extensive planning. The majority of the drive is on highways, making it efficient for covering distance. Consider this if you prefer a direct path and minimal overnight stops.
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
123.8 miles from Des Peres, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
132.8 mi
2h 33m
Avenue of the Saints
98.8 mi
1h 57m
V.F.W. Memorial Highway
5.8 mi
6m
MO B
3.5 mi
8m
Veterans Road
2.2 mi
3m
I 270
1.9 mi
2m
Manchester Road
0.9 mi
1m
Paris Gravel Road
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
— 132.8 mi, about 2h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Peres, MO and New York, MO.
1
Start on MO 100
0.9 mi·1 min·Manchester Road
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 270 North
3
Merge onto I 270
1.9 mi·2 min·I 270
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
6
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·9 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
7
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
99 mi·1 hr 57 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
249 ft·14 sec
9
Turn left onto Paris Gravel Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Paris Gravel Road
10
Keep slight right at fork onto County Road 422
279 ft·8 sec·County Road 422
11
Turn right onto Veterans Road
2.2 mi·3 min·Veterans Road
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Monroe City
13
Merge onto US 36; MO 110
5.8 mi·6 min·V.F.W. Memorial Highway
14
Continue on US 24; US 36; MO 110
133 mi·2 hr 33 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
15
Turn left onto MO B
3.5 mi·8 min·MO B
16
Arrive at destination
MO B
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour 57 minute estimated drive time, leaving in the morning from Des Peres will allow you to reach New York with plenty of daylight to spare. The single recommended day means you can be flexible with your departure time. While there's only one recommended stop, you might want to take a short break around the halfway point to stretch your legs, especially as the longest continuous stretch on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway is over 130 miles. Keep your fuel tank topped up, as the estimated cost is $39, and plan for the shift from highway to surface roads towards the end of your drive.
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 123.8 miles from Des Peres, MO, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.8 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 54 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.8 miles or 2h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 1m
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 Des Peres, 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 Des Peres, MO
This is one driving day of about 247.7 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Des Peres, 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 Chicago-Kansas City Expressway for about 132.8 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 105.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.1 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
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 12
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Lo...
8
3.2 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Went...
5
3.7 mi into trip|~5m in|I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
102.5 mi into trip|~2h 3m in|Paris Gravel Road
Turn left onto Paris Gravel Road
Navigation decision point
6
105.3 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Take the ramp toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Monroe City
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Monroe City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.73 one way
$77.45 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$42.52
$85.04
premium
$4.89
$47.67
$95.34
diesel
$5.61
$54.69
$109.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.3
0
$26.01
$11.89
Efficient EV
61.9
0
$21.67
$9.91
EV Truck/SUV
99.1
1
$34.68
$15.85
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 20, 2026
Origin
Des Peres, MO
Late night
in Des Peres on Tuesday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New York, MO
Late night
in New York on Tuesday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
66°F
Bowling Green, MO
124 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
29 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
4h 57m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed highway and surface road profile, with 54% of the route on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 132.8 miles on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, which is a good amount of uninterrupted highway cruising. After that, expect the road type to change, indicating more surface roads with potentially more intersections and slower speeds. Keep an eye out for the transition as you move from the expressway system to local routes.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.8 mi on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 247.7 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.7 miles (I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 57m. Total distance: 247.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 132.8 miles on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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 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. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.7 miles (I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at New York, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
