New York, MO to Poplar Bluff, MO is 395.6 miles and takes about 7h 49m via Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and US 67, with a fuel budget near $63 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region. For a single-day drive, it’s a manageable distance, mostly on highways. You'll encounter a mix of road types, so keep an eye on your navigation as you transition. Plan for two stops to break up the nearly 8-hour drive.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
197.8 miles from New York, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
132.8 mi
2h 33m
US 67
113 mi
2h 10m
Avenue of the Saints
98.7 mi
1h 57m
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
18.3 mi
19m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
V.F.W. Memorial Highway
5.8 mi
6m
MO B
3.5 mi
8m
North Westwood Boulevard
2.9 mi
4m
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 Poplar Bluff, 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
11 mi·14 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 1AToward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
15
Merge onto I 55
1.5 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
16
Continue on I 55
1.8 mi·2 min·Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
17
Continue on I 55
18 mi·19 min·Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 174BToward US 67 South: Farmington, Poplar Bluff
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
20
Enter roundabout onto US 67
30 ft·0 sec·US 67
21
Continue on US 67
113 mi·2 hr 10 min·US 67
22
Turn straight onto US 60 Business; US 67 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·North Westwood Boulevard
23
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
0.3 mi·25 sec·State Street
24
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
1.3 mi·2 min·North Westwood Boulevard
25
Turn left onto US 60 Business
0.8 mi·1 min·West Pine Street
26
Arrive at destination
US 60 Business
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7h 49m drive, consider departing in the morning to ensure you have ample daylight. With two recommended stops, you can plan for a mid-drive break around the 4-hour mark. The route has a fuel cost estimate of $63, so factor that into your budget. Pay attention to the transition from the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway to US 67, as this is where road conditions and traffic might change. Breaking up the 395.6 miles with a stop about halfway can help keep you fresh.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 197.8 miles from New York, MO, or about 3h 56m 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 87 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 197.8 miles or 3h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Poplar Bluff, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from New York, MO
This is one driving day of about 395.6 miles and 7h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from New York, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 145 and 278.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
8
255.8 mi into trip|~5h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis...
6
278.2 mi into trip|~5h 32m in
Take the exit toward US 67 South: Farmington, Poplar Bluff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 174B
Toward US 67 South: Farmington, Poplar Bluff
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.50 one way
$123.01 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg138 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$67.16
$134.32
premium
$4.68
$72.84
$145.69
diesel
$6.01
$93.59
$187.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 138.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
118.7
1
$41.54
$18.99
Efficient EV
98.9
1
$34.62
$15.82
EV Truck/SUV
158.2
1
$55.38
$25.32
Gas CO2
138 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
New York, MO
Morning
in New York on Sunday
Local time
11:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Clear
S 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Poplar Bluff, MO
Morning
in Poplar Bluff on Sunday
Local time
11:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
34°F
Areas Of Frost
NE 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 49m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
$19
near mile 245.5
Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the B...
25 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 286.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 65% highway, meaning a good portion of your travel will be on higher-speed roads like the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. The longest continuous stretch on these highways is 132.8 miles. After the main highway segments, you'll transition to US 67 and other roads, which will likely have more local traffic and potentially more frequent exits. Expect a shift from open highway cruising to more varied driving conditions as you get closer to your destination.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and US 67. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 145 miles in near US 61 / Avenue of the Saints.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 395.6 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 145 miles (US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
856 ft691 ft
Total Climb
115 ft
Total Descent
224 ft
Highest Point
856 ft
~84.8 mi in
Elevation Range
165 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from New York, MO to Poplar Bluff, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 49m. Total distance: 395.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 49m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 6 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 Poplar Bluff, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 145 miles (US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park and Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Poplar Bluff, MO before the return drive.
