Spanning 132.9 miles across the Oklahoma Great Plains, this drive between Altus and Norman typically takes about 2 hours and 31 minutes. It functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. With a modest estimated fuel cost of $20, it remains an affordable trek for solo drivers or families alike. You will travel primarily via the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, the Colonel Aaron C. "Burley" Burleson Memorial Highway, and the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike Spur. Because both cities are located within the Great Plains region, the landscape remains consistent throughout your journey. This route is ideal if you want a reliable, no-fuss connection between these two Oklahoma hubs.
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
66.5 miles from Altus, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
52.7 mi
54m
Colonel Aaron C. "Burley" Burleson Memorial Highway
45 mi
50m
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike Spur
7.8 mi
7m
US 62
7.4 mi
8m
Southeast 44th Street
5.6 mi
7m
Pioneer Expressway
4.6 mi
4m
West Main Street
2.6 mi
6m
East Broadway Street
2.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
— 52.7 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altus, OK and Norman, 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
53 mi·54 min·Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Toward I 44 East: Chickasha, Oklahoma CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·51 sec
Toward OK 4 Toll, H. E. Bailey Spur: Blanchard, NormanUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto OK 4 Toll
7.8 mi·7 min·Harry E. Bailey Turnpike Spur
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on OK 9
5.5 mi·7 min·Southeast 44th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn slight right onto West Adkins Hill Road
0.2 mi·10 sec·West Adkins Hill Road
13
Continue on OK 9
470 ft·9 sec·Southeast 44th Street
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
15
Merge onto OK 9; I 35
1.8 mi·2 min·World War I Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on I 35
0.5 mi·35 sec·Doctor James E. and Representative Mina M. Hibdon Memorial Highway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 109Toward Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
407 ft·7 sec
Use the right lane.
19
Turn straight onto West Main Street
2.6 mi·6 min·West Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While the route is manageable in one go, budgeting for at least one stop will help you break up the 2.5-hour duration effectively. Keep in mind that your fuel expenses should hover around the $20 mark, so it is a good idea to ensure your tank is topped off before hitting the turnpike sections. Because you are navigating a mix of turnpike and memorial highway infrastructure, keep your toll pass or payment method handy to avoid delays at interchanges. Taking that single planned stop midway will keep you refreshed for the final stretch into Norman.
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 66.5 miles from Altus, OK, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.7 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 29 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.5 miles or 1h 16m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norman, 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 132.9 miles and 2h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 52.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 66.5 miles from Altus, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Elmer Thomas Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
mile 57
Lawton, Oklahoma
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+15805813400
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 130.2 — 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
7
113.4 mi into trip|~2h 5m in
Take the exit toward OK 4 Toll, H. E. Bailey Spur: Blanchard, Norman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward OK 4 Toll, H. E. Bailey Spur: Blanchard,...
7
130.1 mi into trip|~2h 24m in
Take the exit toward Main Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 109
Toward Main Street
7
130.2 mi into trip|~2h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.78 one way
$41.55 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.81
$45.63
premium
$4.89
$25.58
$51.15
diesel
$5.61
$29.34
$58.69
Estimated Tolls: $4.24
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
(52.7 mi)$3.69
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike Spur
(7.8 mi)$0.55
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
$21
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.9
0
$13.95
$6.38
Efficient EV
33.2
0
$11.63
$5.32
EV Truck/SUV
53.2
0
$18.61
$8.51
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (65% 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
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Norman, OK
Night
in Norman on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
11 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 31m 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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
$18
near mile 132.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances highway efficiency with regional transit. Roughly 55% of your total mileage is spent on highways, providing a steady pace for the majority of the trip. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, where you will cover 52.7 miles of open road. The transition between these specific highway segments keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. You will find that the road surface and traffic patterns shift as you move from the Turnpike onto the Memorial Highway, requiring you to stay alert and adjust your speed accordingly.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.7 mi on Harry E. Bailey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 early in the drive near US 62 / East Broadway Street.
Driving Effort8/10
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 132.9 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 113.4 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 ft1,128 ft
Total Climb
312 ft
Total Descent
534 ft
Highest Point
1,397 ft
Elevation Range
269 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Altus, OK and Norman, OK, road signs point toward Oklahoma City and H. E. Bailey Spur: Blanchard.
Norman is a city in the Frontier Country region of Oklahoma and in Cleveland County. With a population of 128,000 (2020), it is the third largest city in the state and is home to the University of Oklahoma (popularly known as OU), the state's largest and flagship university.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 31m. Total distance: 132.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (55%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.7 miles on Harry E. Bailey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.24 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 Norman, 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 113.4 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 Norman, OK before heading back.
