New York, MO to Des Peres, MO is 247.6 miles and takes about 4h 58m via Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, Avenue of the Saints, and V.F.W. Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, offering a straightforward drive between two points in Missouri. The route is mostly highway, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a direct connection rather than an extended scenic tour. With a single recommended day of travel and a relatively short duration, it's a manageable drive for most.
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 New York, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
132.8 mi
2h 33m
Avenue of the Saints
98.7 mi
1h 57m
V.F.W. Memorial Highway
5.8 mi
6m
MO B
3.5 mi
8m
Veterans Road
2.1 mi
3m
I 270
1.6 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 New York, MO and Des Peres, MO.
1
Start on MO B
3.5 mi·8 min·MO B
2
Turn right onto US 36; MO 110
133 mi·2 hr 33 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
3
Continue on US 24; US 36; MO 110
5.8 mi·6 min·V.F.W. Memorial Highway
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward Veterans Road
5
Turn right onto Veterans Road
2.1 mi·3 min·Veterans Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto County Road 422
279 ft·6 sec·County Road 422
7
Continue on Paris Gravel Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Paris Gravel Road
8
Take the ramp
120 ft·3 sec
9
Merge onto US 61
99 mi·1 hr 57 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 25Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward I 270 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 270
1.6 mi·2 min·I 270
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Exit 9Toward MO 100: Manchester RoadUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·51 sec
Toward MO 100 East: Manchester Road EastUse the slight left lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
285 ft·9 sec
Toward MO 100 East: Manchester Road
16
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·17 sec·this road
Exit 9Toward MO 100 East: Manchester Road
17
Turn slight left onto MO 100
0.9 mi·1 min·Manchester Road
18
Arrive at destination
MO 100
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 58-minute drive time, starting your trip in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive in Des Peres with plenty of daylight. This route is recommended for a single day, so you won't need to plan for an overnight stop. The estimated fuel cost is $39, so factor that into your budget. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to take a break. Keep an eye on the transition from highway to surface roads around the 132.8-mile mark to prepare for a change in driving pace.
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 New York, MO, or about 2h 27m 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 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.8 miles or 2h 27m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Peres, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New York, 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 New York, MO
This is one driving day of about 247.6 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from New York, 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 243.6 and 246.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
243.6 mi into trip|~4h 51m 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
7
244 mi into trip|~4h 52m 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
7
245.9 mi into trip|~4h 54m in
Take the exit toward MO 100: Manchester Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9
Toward MO 100: Manchester Road
8
246.2 mi into trip|~4h 55m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MO 100 East: Manchester Road East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward MO 100 East: Manchester Road East
6
246.5 mi into trip|~4h 55m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MO 100 East: Manchester Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward MO 100 East: Manchester Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.17 one way
$82.33 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$44.84
$89.68
premium
$5.18
$50.52
$101.05
diesel
$5.35
$52.15
$104.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.3
0
$26.00
$11.88
Efficient EV
61.9
0
$21.67
$9.90
EV Truck/SUV
99
1
$34.66
$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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
New York, MO
Afternoon
in New York on Wednesday
Local time
2:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Partly Cloudy
ESE 3 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 2:30PM CDT until June 3 at 2:00PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 2:17PM CDT until June 4 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Destination
Des Peres, MO
Afternoon
in Des Peres on Wednesday
Local time
2:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Clear
E 2 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 2:30PM CDT until June 3 at 2:00PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 2:17PM CDT until June 4 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
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
2 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 58m 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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$19
near mile 247.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a 54% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of the 4-hour 58-minute drive on major expressways. The longest stretch without exiting is 132.8 miles on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. Expect a mixed highway and surface road profile, transitioning from high-speed cruising to more local road conditions as you approach your destination. You'll notice the change from consistent highway speeds to more frequent intersections and potentially slower traffic as you leave the main expressways.
54% 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: 132.8 mi on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 243.6 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
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 247.6 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 243.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 244 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 245.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 247.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m 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 Des Peres, 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 243.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 244 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 245.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Des Peres, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
