New York, MO to Ladue, MO is 248.8 miles and takes about 5h 1m via Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing Missouri for its entirety. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface roads, so expect a varied driving experience. With only one recommended stop and a duration under six hours, this route is well-suited for a single-day drive, offering a straightforward connection between these two Missouri locations.
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
124.4 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
101.3 mi
2h 1m
V.F.W. Memorial Highway
5.8 mi
6m
MO B
3.5 mi
8m
Veterans Road
2.1 mi
3m
Clayton Road
1.5 mi
3m
Barnes Road
0.6 mi
2m
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 Ladue, 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
101 mi·2 hr 1 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the right lane.
10
Take the exit onto US 61
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 61
Exit 28AToward US 67, US 61: Lindbergh BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 61
0.2 mi·23 sec·US 61
Toward US 67 South, US 61 South: Lindbergh BoulevardUse the left / right lanes.
12
Turn left onto Clayton Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Clayton Road
13
Turn left onto Barnes Road
0.6 mi·2 min·Barnes Road
14
Arrive at destination
Barnes Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving in the morning from New York, MO, allows plenty of daylight to reach Ladue, MO, without needing an overnight stay. Plan for your single recommended stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point, to break up the 132.8-mile stretch on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $39, and be aware of the shift from highway to surface roads as you get closer to Ladue. This route's manageable length means you have flexibility if you decide to linger longer at your stop.
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 124.4 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 55 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.4 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ladue, 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 248.8 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 246.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
3.5 mi into trip|~8m in|US 36; MO 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Turn right onto US 36; MO 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Navigation decision point
4
142.1 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward Veterans Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Veterans Road
5
145 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|US 61 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge onto US 61 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
246.3 mi into trip|~4h 54m in|US 61
Take the exit onto US 61 toward US 67, US 61: Lindbergh Boulevard
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 28A
Toward US 67, US 61: Lindbergh Boulevard
9
246.5 mi into trip|~4h 55m in|US 61
Keep slight right at fork onto US 61 toward US 67 South, US 61 South: Lindbergh Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward US 67 South, US 61 South: Lindbergh Boul...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.74 one way
$73.48 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$40.56
$81.12
premium
$4.72
$46.19
$92.39
diesel
$4.80
$46.98
$93.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.6
0
$26.12
$11.94
Efficient EV
62.2
0
$21.77
$9.95
EV Truck/SUV
99.5
1
$34.83
$15.92
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
New York, MO
Night
in New York on Saturday
Local time
10:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Ladue, MO
Night
in Ladue on Saturday
Local time
10:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
W 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
3 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
5h 1m 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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$19
near mile 248.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 54% of this drive is on highways, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and V.F.W. Memorial Highway. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 132.8 miles on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. After that, expect a shift to more mixed highway and surface driving, which can mean more frequent exits and local traffic as you approach your destination. This transition from higher-speed to more varied road conditions is something to be aware of.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
14 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?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in near US 36; MO 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 1m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles (US 36; MO 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Navigation decision point; at 142.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 145 miles (US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
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 3.5 miles (US 36; MO 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Navigation decision point; at 142.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 145 miles (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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ladue, MO before the return drive.
