Neosho to New York is 234.5 miles and takes about 4h 29m via Purple Heart Trail, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, single-day trip entirely within Missouri, moving you from one part of the Midwest to another. With a 42% highway share, expect a mix of faster travel and more local cruising. The recommended single day of travel makes this a convenient option for a quick transit between these two points.
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
117.3 miles from Neosho, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,673 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,095
Quietest
1 AM
~208 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Neosho, MO and New York, MO.
1
Start on East Main Street
218 ft·15 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn left onto South Washington Street
0.3 mi·53 sec·South Washington Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto MO 86
0.2 mi·26 sec·East Coler Street
4
Turn right onto US 60 Business
1.3 mi·2 min·North College Street
5
Continue on US 60 Business
3.1 mi·4 min·Elwood Junction Road
6
Turn left
0.3 mi·50 sec
7
Turn straight onto MO 59
22 mi·28 min·MO 59
8
Continue on I 49; US 71
10 mi·11 min·Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
9
Continue on I 49; US 71
116 mi·2 hr 5 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 435 North: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 435
18 mi·20 min·I 435
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi·1 min·I435 N
13
Continue on I 435
0.1 mi·9 sec·I 435
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 52B I35Toward I 35: Kansas City, Des MoinesUse the slight right lane.
15
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.
16
Merge onto I 35; MO 110
6.3 mi·7 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; MO 110
35 mi·37 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
18
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
19
Turn right onto US 36; MO 110
16 mi·18 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
20
Turn right onto MO B
3.5 mi·8 min·MO B
21
Arrive at destination
MO B
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 29m estimated drive time, starting your day in Neosho will allow ample time to reach New York before dark. Plan for one stop to break up the 234.5 miles; the longest stretch without a major road change is 116.2 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, which might be a good point to consider a brief pause. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $41, and it's always wise to top off before embarking on longer segments. This is a manageable drive, so you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient for you.
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 117.3 miles from Neosho, MO, or about 2h 14m 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 52 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.3 miles or 2h 14m 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 37m
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 Neosho, 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 Neosho, MO
This is one driving day of about 234.5 miles and 4h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Neosho, 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 215 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|MO 86 / East Coler Street
At end of road, turn left onto MO 86 / East Coler Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
154.4 mi into trip|~2h 54m 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
173.6 mi into trip|~3h 16m 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
173.7 mi into trip|~3h 16m 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
215 mi into trip|~4h 1m 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
$34.63 one way
$69.26 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$38.23
$76.46
premium
$4.72
$43.54
$87.08
diesel
$4.80
$44.28
$88.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.4
0
$24.62
$11.26
Efficient EV
58.6
0
$20.52
$9.38
EV Truck/SUV
93.8
1
$32.83
$15.01
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Neosho, MO
Late night
in Neosho on Sunday
Local time
1:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
New York, MO
Late night
in New York on Sunday
Local time
1:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 5 to 9 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
72°F
Nevada, MO
117 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
4 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
4h 29m 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.
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?
You'll spend about 42% of this 234.5-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 116.2 miles along the Purple Heart Trail. After that, you'll transition to MO 59 and the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, offering varied driving experiences. Expect to see a mix of rural cruising and potentially some more urban merging as you approach your destination.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 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 0.3 miles in near MO 86 / East Coler Street.
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 13 significant decision points across 234.5 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 0.3 miles (MO 86 / East Coler Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 154.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 173.6 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
1,105 ft758 ft
Total Climb
616 ft
Total Descent
853 ft
Highest Point
1,105 ft
~16.8 mi in
Elevation Range
348 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Neosho, MO and New York, MO, road signs point toward Des Moines and Hamilton.
Neosho is a sizeable town in Southwest Missouri and has several monikers, among them "Gateway To The Ozarks," "City of Springs," and "Flower Box City". The latter two pertain to characteristics of the town, namely the source of numerous springs as well as a citywide initiative involving flower boxes. The name Neosho is derived from a Native American word meaning "clear, cold water".
Top landmarks
•Neosho Commercial Historic District — historic district in Neosho, Missouri
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 29m. Total distance: 234.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 29m 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.
Yes — we found about 14 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (MO 86 / East Coler Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 154.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 173.6 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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at New York, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
