New York, MO to Sparta, MO is 222.5 miles and takes about 4h 48m via MO 13 and MO 7, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, connecting two points in the Midwest region. With 89% of the route on highways, expect a fairly efficient trip. This is a straightforward, single-day option for travelers looking to cover ground without extensive detours.
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
111.3 miles from New York, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MO 13
100.4 mi
2h 12m
MO 7
86.6 mi
1h 42m
Schoolcraft Freeway
10.7 mi
13m
East South Street
6.1 mi
9m
American Legion Memorial Highway
5.9 mi
6m
MO U
5.5 mi
13m
Payne Stewart Highway
4.3 mi
5m
US 65 Bus
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
MO 13
— 100.4 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New York, MO and Sparta, MO.
1
Start on MO B
155 ft·6 sec·MO B
2
Turn right onto MO U
5.5 mi·13 min·MO U
3
At end of road, turn left onto MO 13
66 mi·1 hr 30 min·MO 13
4
Enter roundabout onto MO 13
206 ft·3 sec·MO 13
5
Continue on MO 13
5.1 mi·6 min·MO 13
6
Keep slight right at fork onto MO 13
1.9 mi·2 min·MO 13
7
Enter roundabout onto MO 13
124 ft·1 sec·MO 13
Toward MO 13 South: Clinton
8
Continue on MO 13
3.9 mi·4 min·MO 13
Toward MO 13 South: Clinton
9
Enter roundabout onto MO 13
133 ft·1 sec·MO 13
Toward MO 13 South: Clinton
10
Continue on MO 13
8.0 mi·9 min·MO 13
Toward MO 13 South: Clinton
11
Turn straight onto MO 13
15 mi·19 min·MO 13
12
Turn left onto MO 7; MO 13
87 mi·1 hr 42 min·MO 7; MO 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
14
Merge onto I 44
4.3 mi·5 min·Payne Stewart Highway
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 82AToward US 65 South: Branson
16
Merge onto US 65
11 mi·13 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 65
5.9 mi·6 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward US 65 Business, MO F: Sparta
19
Turn left onto US 65 Bus
1.4 mi·2 min·US 65 Bus
20
Continue on MO 14
6.1 mi·9 min·East South Street
21
Continue on MO 14
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
MO 14; MO 125
Trip Plan
You can comfortably complete this 222.5-mile drive in a single day, so consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour. The total drive time is under 5 hours, with a fuel cost estimated around $35. Since it's a relatively short trip, you have flexibility with your departure time. Plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs. Keep an eye out for the transition from highway to surface roads as you get closer to Sparta, as this might be the best place to find a rest stop or quick bite.
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 111.3 miles from New York, MO, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.4 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 49 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.3 miles or 2h 32m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sparta, 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 222.5 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 MO 13 for about 100.4 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 5.5 and 192.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.5 mi into trip|~13m in|MO 13
At end of road, turn left onto MO 13
Navigation decision point
5
71.9 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|MO 13
Enter roundabout onto MO 13
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
78.9 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|MO 13
Enter roundabout onto MO 13 toward MO 13 South: Clinton
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward MO 13 South: Clinton
6
82.8 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|MO 13
Enter roundabout onto MO 13 toward MO 13 South: Clinton
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward MO 13 South: Clinton
5
192.6 mi into trip|~4h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.75 one way
$69.50 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.33
$37.93
$75.86
premium
$4.69
$41.07
$82.13
diesel
$5.99
$52.50
$105.00
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: 77.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.8
0
$23.36
$10.68
Efficient EV
55.6
0
$19.47
$8.90
EV Truck/SUV
89
1
$31.15
$14.24
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
New York, MO
Morning
in New York on Saturday
Local time
8:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Cloudy
NNW 13 to 18 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 1:51AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Destination
Sparta, MO
Morning
in Sparta on Saturday
Local time
8:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
NW 18 to 22 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 1:51AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
55°F
Lincoln, MO
111 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 48m 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.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 207.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 89% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 100.4 miles on MO 13. You’ll transition to surface roads later in the drive, so be prepared for more local traffic and potential slowdowns as you approach Sparta.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.4 mi on MO 13.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 13 and MO 7. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.5 miles in near MO 13.
Driving Effort5/10
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 222.5 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 5.5 miles (MO 13): Navigation decision point; at 71.9 miles (MO 13): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 78.9 miles (MO 13): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,408 ft748 ft
Total Climb
1,137 ft
Total Descent
530 ft
Highest Point
1,408 ft
~222.5 mi in
Elevation Range
660 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 Sparta, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Louis along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 222.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 100.4 miles on MO 13. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.5 miles (MO 13): Navigation decision point; at 71.9 miles (MO 13): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 78.9 miles (MO 13): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Sparta, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
