New York, MO to Sunset Hills, MO is 253.5 miles and takes about 5h 7m via Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, Avenue of the Saints, and I 270, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region and connecting two points within the state. Given its relatively short duration and moderate distance, it's a straightforward drive suitable for a single day. The route primarily utilizes major roadways, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
126.7 miles from New York, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m 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
I 270
6.3 mi
7m
V.F.W. Memorial Highway
5.8 mi
6m
MO B
3.5 mi
8m
Veterans Road
2.1 mi
3m
Rott Road
0.8 mi
2m
Robyn Road
0.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
— 132.8 mi, about 2h 33m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,536 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,317
Quietest
2 AM
~187 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
24.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 New York, MO and Sunset Hills, 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
6.3 mi·7 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Exit 5AToward I 44 East, US 50 East, MO 366 East: Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on US Historic 66
0.2 mi·12 sec·US Historic 66
Toward I 44 East, US 50 East, MO 366 East: Saint Louis
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US Historic 66
0.6 mi·1 min·US Historic 66
Toward MO 366 East: Watson RoadUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn right
150 ft·4 sec
Toward Rott Road
17
Turn straight onto South Geyer Road
456 ft·15 sec·South Geyer Road
18
Turn right onto Rott Road
0.8 mi·2 min·Rott Road
19
Continue on Robyn Road
0.8 mi·2 min·Robyn Road
20
Turn left onto Robyn Hills Drive
0.1 mi·27 sec·Robyn Hills Drive
21
Arrive at destination
Robyn Hills Drive
Trip Plan
This 5-hour drive is easily manageable in one day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to allow ample daylight for the entire trip. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to push through or make a brief pause as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 132.8-mile stretch on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, as services might be less frequent. Budgeting around $40 for fuel should cover the 253.5 miles.
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 126.7 miles from New York, MO, or about 2h 30m 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 56 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.7 miles or 2h 30m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sunset Hills, 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 253.5 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 145 and 251 — 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
250.6 mi into trip|~5h in
Take the exit toward I 44 East, US 50 East, MO 366 East: Saint Louis
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 5A
Toward I 44 East, US 50 East, MO 366 East: Sain...
7
251 mi into trip|~5h 1m in|US Historic 66
Keep slight right at fork onto US Historic 66 toward MO 366 East: Watson Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward MO 366 East: Watson Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.30 one way
$78.60 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$43.10
$86.19
premium
$4.93
$49.18
$98.37
diesel
$5.60
$55.88
$111.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.1
0
$26.62
$12.17
Efficient EV
63.4
0
$22.18
$10.14
EV Truck/SUV
101.4
1
$35.49
$16.22
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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 Aug 7, 2026
Origin
New York, MO
Late night
in New York on Wednesday
Local time
3:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Partly Cloudy
ESE 3 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 6 at 7:34PM CDT until August 8 at 7:30PM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 6 at 7:33PM CDT until August 8 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Destination
Sunset Hills, MO
Late night
in Sunset Hills on Wednesday
Local time
3:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 5 mph37% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 6 at 7:34PM CDT until August 8 at 7:30PM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 6 at 7:33PM CDT until August 8 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill 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
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 7m 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 253.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 55% of this 253.5-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 132.8 miles, mainly on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, with the character changing as you transition between these. The profile suggests you'll notice a shift in traffic density and speed limits as you move from the expressway sections to more local roads.
55% 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: 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 145 miles in near US 61 / Avenue of the Saints.
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 14 significant decision points across 253.5 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 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
838 ft462 ft
Total Climb
586 ft
Total Descent
775 ft
Highest Point
838 ft
~90.5 mi in
Elevation Range
376 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 253.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m 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 4 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 Sunset Hills, 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 4 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. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sunset Hills, MO before the return drive.
