The drive from New York, MO to Chaffee, MO covers 370.4 miles and takes about 7h 15m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, Avenue of the Saints for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 132.8 miles on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $57.91 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
185.2 miles from New York, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 41m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 15m. Total distance: 370.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from New York, MO to Chaffee, MO covers 370.4 miles and takes about 7h 15m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 132.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 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 21 significant decision points across 370.4 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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...
7
361.1 mi into trip|~7h in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO AB: Cape Girardeau Regional Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 91
Toward MO AB: Cape Girardeau Regional Airport
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 Chaffee, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Memphis
243.6 mi in|~4h 51m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
132.8 mi
2h 33m
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
101 mi
1h 48m
Avenue of the Saints
98.7 mi
1h 57m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
V.F.W. Memorial Highway
5.8 mi
6m
Nash Road
5.6 mi
7m
MO B
3.5 mi
8m
MO 77
2.9 mi
5m
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 Chaffee, 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
101 mi·1 hr 48 min·Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 91Toward MO AB: Cape Girardeau Regional Airport
19
Keep slight right at fork
160 ft·3 sec
Exit 91Toward MO AB: Cape Girardeau Regional Airport
20
Turn right onto MO AB
5.6 mi·7 min·Nash Road
21
Enter roundabout onto MO 77
325 ft·6 sec·MO 77
Toward MO 77 South: Chaffee
22
Continue on MO 77
2.8 mi·4 min·MO 77
Toward MO 77 South: Chaffee
23
Turn left onto MO A
0.4 mi·48 sec·West Yoakum Avenue
24
Enter roundabout onto MO A
406 ft·9 sec·West Yoakum Avenue
25
Continue on MO A
0.2 mi·29 sec·West Yoakum Avenue
26
Turn left onto MO M
34 ft·0 sec·North Main Street
27
Arrive at destination
MO M
Trip Plan
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 185.2 miles from New York, MO, or about 3h 41m 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 81 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.2 miles or 3h 41m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chaffee, 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 370.4 miles and 7h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 185.2 mi from New York, MO
· 3h 41m into the drive
The midpoint is around 185.2 miles from New York, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Chaffee, MO
The final approach into Chaffee, MO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Chaffee, MO.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 306.5
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
$19
near mile 255.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.91 one way
$115.82 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$63.58
$127.16
premium
$4.89
$71.28
$142.56
diesel
$5.61
$81.78
$163.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.1
1
$38.89
$17.78
Efficient EV
92.6
1
$32.41
$14.82
EV Truck/SUV
148.2
1
$51.86
$23.71
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
43 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
New York, MO
Afternoon
in New York on Thursday
Local time
1:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chaffee, MO
Afternoon
in Chaffee on Thursday
Local time
1:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Chesterfield, MO
185 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
7 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
7h 15m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from New York, MO to Chaffee, MO covers 370.4 miles and takes about 7h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, Avenue of the Saints. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 185.2 miles from New York, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $57.91 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 370.4 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.
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.
On the drive from New York, MO to Chaffee, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
