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Trip from University City, MO to New York, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 6m

Distance

253.7 mi

408 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 53m ★
6 AM
5h 7m
8 AM
5h 34m
10 AM
5h 16m
12 PM
5h 13m
3 PM
5h 17m
5 PM
5h 32m
8 PM
4h 59m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States

University City, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown New York, MO, MO

New York, MO

Ian Ramírez

Trip Overview

Traveling from University City to New York, Missouri, spans 253.7 miles across the heart of the Midwest. You should plan for a total drive time of approximately 5 hours and 6 minutes, making this a very manageable single-day trip. With a fuel budget of about $39, the journey is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. You will navigate a variety of corridors, including the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, the Avenue of the Saints, and the V.F.W. Memorial Highway. Since the entire route stays within the state of Missouri, you can expect a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery, the straightforward nature of this route makes it an easy addition to your travel calendar.

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

126.8 miles from University City, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway 132.8 mi 2h 33m
Avenue of the Saints 101.2 mi 2h
V.F.W. Memorial Highway 5.8 mi 6m
Daniel Boone Expressway 4.9 mi 6m
MO B 3.5 mi 8m
Veterans Road 2.2 mi 3m
North Big Bend Boulevard 1.9 mi 3m
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 University City, MO and New York, MO.

1

Start on Kingsland Avenue

173 ft · 14 sec · Kingsland Avenue
2

Continue on Kingsland Avenue

98 ft · 11 sec · Kingsland Avenue
3

Turn left onto Delmar Boulevard

525 ft · 12 sec · Delmar Boulevard
4

Enter roundabout onto Delmar Boulevard

93 ft · 1 sec · Delmar Boulevard
5

Continue on Delmar Boulevard

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Delmar Boulevard
6

Turn left onto North Big Bend Boulevard

1.9 mi · 3 min · North Big Bend Boulevard
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West Use the right lane.
8

Merge onto I 64; US 40

4.9 mi · 6 min · Daniel Boone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
9

Continue on I 64; US 40; US 61

101 mi · 2 hr · Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
10

Take the exit

249 ft · 14 sec
11

Turn left onto Paris Gravel Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Paris Gravel Road
12

Keep slight right at fork onto County Road 422

279 ft · 8 sec · County Road 422
13

Turn right onto Veterans Road

2.2 mi · 3 min · Veterans Road
14

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 16 sec
Toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Monroe City
15

Merge onto US 36; MO 110

5.8 mi · 6 min · V.F.W. Memorial Highway
16

Continue on US 24; US 36; MO 110

133 mi · 2 hr 33 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
17

Turn left onto MO B

3.5 mi · 8 min · MO B
18

Arrive at destination

MO B

Trip Plan

Because this is a 5-hour trek, leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic and arrive with plenty of daylight to spare. You only need one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, which keeps your momentum high throughout the day. Given the $39 fuel estimate, topping off your tank before departing University City will help you avoid unnecessary stops along the way. Keep a close eye on the transition points between the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and the local highways, as navigating these shifts is the most critical part of your transit. Flexibility is on your side here, so feel free to adjust your pace if you prefer a more relaxed schedule.

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 126.8 miles from University City, MO, or about 2h 35m 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 126.8 miles or 2h 35m 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 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving University City, 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 University City, MO

This is one driving day of about 253.7 miles and 5h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from University City, 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.

city in St. Charles County, Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wentzville, MO

127 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Wentzville, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Monroe City, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 126.8 miles from University City, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Chicago-Kansas City Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Havana's Cuisine Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St. Louis, Missouri

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13143125005

Visit website

Havana's Cuisine Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13143125005

Visit website

Slim Chickens

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13149327723

Visit website

Chuck-A-Burger Drive-In Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13144279524

Visit website

Russell's on Macklind

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 5–9 pm

+13145539994

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 36.2

Wentzville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 108.7

Hannibal, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Francis Energy Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 108.7

Hannibal, Missouri

+18004891588

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 36.2

Wentzville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 36.2

Lake St Louis, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006635633

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 54.4

Troy, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 111.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Delmar Boulevard

Turn left onto Delmar Boulevard

Navigation decision point

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Delmar Boulevard

Enter roundabout onto Delmar Boulevard

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
2.2 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the ramp toward I 64 West, US 40 West

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward I 64 West, US 40 West
5
2.5 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 64; US 40 / Daniel Boone Expressway

Merge onto I 64; US 40 / Daniel Boone Expressway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
111.3 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in

Take the ramp toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Monroe City

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Monroe City

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.66 one way

$79.33 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 89 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $43.55 $87.10
premium $4.89 $48.82 $97.64
diesel $5.61 $56.01 $112.03

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 88.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 76.1 0 $26.64 $12.18
Efficient EV 63.4 0 $22.20 $10.15
EV Truck/SUV 101.5 1 $35.52 $16.24

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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

University City, MO

Night in University City on Saturday

Local time

11:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New York, MO

Night in New York on Saturday

Local time

11:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live 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

12 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

5h 6m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between different highway systems. Roughly 54% of your journey will be spent on highways, providing a blend of fast-paced travel and more localized road conditions. Your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 132.8 miles along the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, where you can settle into a steady rhythm. The road's personality shifts from major expressway segments to the more varied character of the Avenue of the Saints and the V.F.W. Memorial Highway. This profile offers a balanced pace, keeping you alert while allowing for stretches of focused highway driving as you progress toward your destination.

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?

5/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Delmar Boulevard.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 253.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.1 miles (Delmar Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Delmar Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 253.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (54%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

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.

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.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Delmar Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Delmar Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at New York, MO before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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