A 12-year-old boy who drove 1300 kilometres across NSW on his own in the family car was involved in a crash before he was eventually stopped by highway patrol officers.

The boy was en-route to Perth when he was pulled over at Broken Hill in far west New South Wales on Saturday morning - some 1300 kilometres into his journey.

He had earlier left his home in Kendall on the state's east coast about 11.10am on Friday.

"He'd taken the family car," Detective Inspector Kim Fehon said.

Highway patrol officers stopped the car when they noticed its damaged bumper. (9NEWS)

"His parents reported him missing immediately after he left home, so they were looking for him.”

Officers are still investigating why the boy took the car and attempted to cross the country.

Highway patrol officers stopped him at Broken Hill about 11am on Saturday after they noticed the car's bumper dragging on the ground.

The car had suffered some damage, Det Insp Fehon confirmed.

"So it appears (the boy) did have an accident while driving," she said.

The boy was arrested and taken to Broken Hill police station and has since been released to his parents, police said.

He is currently being questioned by detectives on the mid-north coast.

The boy was pulled over some 1300 kilometres into his journey. (9NEWS)

There is a possibility it could be dealt with under with under the Young Offenders Act, a NSW Police spokesperson told 9news.com.au.

Some people on social media have praised the illegal driver's efforts, calling him a "pretty clever kid" who deserved a "gold star for effort".

"Clearly he's a top driver. No ticket in 1300km," Lou Steer wrote on Facebook.

But Det. Insp Fehon says the boy should not be commended.

"Not only was the child's life at risk but all the people he went past and came in contact with," she said.

"He was lucky he had an escape (after his accident).

"But so did all the motorists on the way from Kendall to Cobar. They all had a lucky day as well."