Origin
University City, MO
Afternoon in University City on Sunday
Local time
3:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from University City, MO to New York, MO
Drive Time
5h 6m
Distance
253.7 mi
408 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
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.
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 .
Drive Character
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.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 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. 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.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
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 0.3 miles (North Big Bend Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North Big Bend Boulevard
Turn left onto North Big Bend Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
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
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
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
Use the none lane.
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 80 miles or 1h 38m 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 80 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 126.8 mi from University City, MO · 2h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before Chicago-Kansas City Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.8 miles.
Arriving in New York, MO
The final approach into New York, 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 New York, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.53 one way
$77.07 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $42.48 | $84.96 |
| premium | $4.80 | $47.89 | $95.79 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $56.36 | $112.73 |
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: 88.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
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.
Destination
New York, MO
Afternoon in New York on Sunday
Local time
3:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°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
14 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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from University City, MO to New York, MO covers 253.7 miles and takes about 5h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, Avenue of the Saints, V.F.W. Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 126.8 miles from University City, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.53 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
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.
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 0.3 miles (North Big Bend Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from University City, MO to New York, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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