If you are planning to travel from Altus to Midwest City, you are looking at a straightforward 145-mile journey across the Oklahoma Great Plains. Expect roughly 2 hours and 42 minutes of drive time, making this a very manageable single-day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, the Colonel Aaron C. "Burley" Burleson Memorial Highway, and the Will Rogers Expressway. With a fuel budget of approximately $22, this is a budget-friendly route for those needing to cross the state. Because the entire trip stays within the Great Plains region, the landscape remains consistent throughout your transit. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that prioritizes efficiency over sightseeing.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
72.5 miles from Altus, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
61.2 mi
1h 2m
Colonel Aaron C. "Burley" Burleson Memorial Highway
45 mi
50m
Will Rogers Expressway
12.3 mi
14m
US 62
7.4 mi
8m
Crosstown Expressway
5.8 mi
7m
Pioneer Expressway
4.6 mi
4m
Tinker Diagonal
2.5 mi
3m
East Broadway Street
2.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
— 61.2 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altus, OK and Midwest City, OK.
1
Start on US 283; OK 6
97 ft·10 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 62
2.3 mi·5 min·East Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on US 62
45 mi·50 min·Colonel Aaron C. "Burley" Burleson Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 62
7.2 mi·8 min·US 62
Toward Rogers LaneUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto US 62
0.3 mi·32 sec·US 62
6
Merge onto I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
1.4 mi·1 min·Bill W. Burgess, Junior Highway
Toward I 44 East, US 62 East, US 277 North, US 281 North: Oklahoma City
7
Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
4.6 mi·4 min·Pioneer Expressway
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 44
61 mi·1 hr 2 min·Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Toward I 44 East: Chickasha, Oklahoma CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 44; US 62
12 mi·14 min·Will Rogers Expressway
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 120BToward I 40 East, US 270 East: Fort SmithUse the right lane.
11
Continue on I 40; US 270
5.8 mi·7 min·Crosstown Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40; US 270
2.5 mi·3 min·Tinker Diagonal
Exit 128Toward I 240 East, US 270 East: Fort SmithUse the slight left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 155BToward Del City, Midwest CityUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn slight left onto Southeast 15th Street
0.5 mi·58 sec·Southeast 15th Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Southeast 15th Street
1.5 mi·2 min·Southeast 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn right onto Felix Place
115 ft·7 sec·Felix Place
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn right
34 ft·4 sec
18
Turn right
34 ft·2 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid peak traffic near Midwest City. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the 145-mile trek, as the highway-heavy nature of the route can become monotonous. Budgeting around $22 for fuel is a safe estimate, but keep an eye on your gauge as you navigate the turnpike sections where service stations may be spaced out. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the toll requirements on the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike before you merge onto the highway. By pacing your drive with a single deliberate stop, you can easily complete this trip in one comfortable sitting without feeling rushed.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.5 miles from Altus, OK, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.2 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 32 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.5 miles or 1h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Midwest City, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Altus, OK 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 Altus, OK
This is one driving day of about 145 miles and 2h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Altus, OK.
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 Harry E. Bailey Turnpike for about 61.2 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 142.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 62 / East Broadway Street
Turn left onto US 62 / East Broadway Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
47.3 mi into trip|~55m in|US 62
Keep slight right at fork onto US 62 toward Rogers Lane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Rogers Lane
8
134.3 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 40 East, US 270 East: Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 120B
Toward I 40 East, US 270 East: Fort Smith
9
140.3 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal toward I 240 East, US 270 East: Fort Smith
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 128
Toward I 240 East, US 270 East: Fort Smith
8
142.8 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Take the exit toward Del City, Midwest City
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 155B
Toward Del City, Midwest City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.67 one way
$45.34 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.89
$49.78
premium
$4.89
$27.90
$55.81
diesel
$5.61
$32.01
$64.03
Estimated Tolls: $4.28
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
(61.2 mi)$4.28
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.5
0
$15.23
$6.96
Efficient EV
36.3
0
$12.69
$5.80
EV Truck/SUV
58
0
$20.30
$9.28
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Altus, OK
Night
in Altus on Saturday
Local time
9:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Midwest City, OK
Night
in Midwest City on Saturday
Local time
9:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
24 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
2h 42m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Oklahoma City National Memorial
National Memorial
The outdoor symbolic memorial is a place of quiet reflection, honoring victims, survivors, rescuers, and all who were changed forever on April 19, 1995. It encompasses the now sacred soil where the Al...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 63% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, which features the route's longest uninterrupted stretch at 61.2 miles. Behind the wheel, you should expect a steady pace that favors speed and direct navigation rather than technical maneuvers or winding turns. The transition between the Colonel Aaron C. "Burley" Burleson Memorial Highway and the Will Rogers Expressway keeps the drive feeling consistent as you head toward Midwest City. It is a reliable route for drivers who prefer high-speed transit and consistent road conditions.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.2 mi on Harry E. Bailey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Harry E. Bailey Turnpike and Colonel Aaron C. "Burley" Burleson Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 62 / East Broadway Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 145 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: near the start (US 62 / East Broadway Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 47.3 miles (US 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 134.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,397 ft1,139 ft
Total Climb
458 ft
Total Descent
603 ft
Highest Point
1,397 ft
Elevation Range
257 ft
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 Altus, OK to Midwest City, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Oklahoma City along the way.
Oklahoma City
60.7 mi in|~1h 11m|via I 44
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 42m. Total distance: 145 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.2 miles on Harry E. Bailey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.28 in tolls one way, starting with Harry E. Bailey Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Midwest City, OK 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 62 / East Broadway Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 47.3 miles (US 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 134.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Oklahoma City National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Midwest City, OK before heading back.
