This 191.6-mile journey from Alva to Lawton, Oklahoma, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 22 minutes. You'll navigate primarily through local roads, with no highway driving involved, making for a more connected experience with the landscape. With an estimated fuel cost of $29, this trip is budget-friendly. The drive stays within the Great Plains region of Oklahoma, offering a consistent feel throughout. Given its manageable length and turn-heavy profile, it's a perfect candidate for a day trip.
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
102.1 miles from Alva, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
OK 8
34.7 mi
42m
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
34 mi
36m
OK 51A
22.5 mi
26m
OK 37
19.2 mi
21m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
16.8 mi
16m
CR N2560
15.1 mi
25m
Oklahoma Boulevard
12 mi
17m
US 81
11.5 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
OK 8
— 34.7 mi, about 42m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~736 veh/hr typical
· worst 859
Quietest
1 AM
~47 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alva, OK and Lawton, OK.
1
Start on West Flynn Street
113 ft·7 sec·West Flynn Street
2
Turn right onto College Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·College Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 64; OK 14
12 mi·17 min·Oklahoma Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
4
Turn right onto CR N2560
14 mi·23 min·CR N2560
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
At end of road, turn left onto CR E0290
0.3 mi·36 sec·CR E0290
6
Turn right onto CR N2560
1.0 mi·1 min·CR N2560
7
Turn left onto OK 45
1.0 mi·1 min·OK 45
8
Turn right onto OK 8; OK 45
13 mi·18 min·OK 8; OK 45
9
Take the ramp onto OK 8
3.0 mi·3 min·OK 8
10
Turn left onto US 60; OK 8
4.1 mi·6 min·US 60; OK 8
11
Continue on OK 8; US 60
6.8 mi·11 min·North Main Street
12
Continue on OK 58
2.0 mi·3 min·OK 58
13
Turn left onto OK 51A
23 mi·26 min·OK 51A
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Turn straight
209 ft·9 sec
15
Turn straight onto OK 8
6.1 mi·8 min·Clarence Nash Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on OK 8; US 270; US 281
0.4 mi·27 sec·OK 8; US 270; US 281
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Continue on OK 8; US 270; US 281
15 mi·16 min·OK 8; US 270; US 281
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on OK 8; US 281
2.6 mi·2 min·OK 8; US 281
19
Continue on US 281 Spur
4.1 mi·4 min·US 281 Spur
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 281 Spur
0.2 mi·34 sec·US 281 Spur
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 40 East: Oklahoma CityUse the straight / left lanes.
22
Merge onto I 40
17 mi·16 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 125Toward I 40 Business West, US 81: El Reno, ChickasawUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward US 81 South: ChickasawUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto US 81
10 mi·11 min·US 81
26
Continue on US 81; OK 152
1.1 mi·1 min·US 81; OK 152
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
27
Continue on OK 37; US 81
19 mi·21 min·OK 37; US 81
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
28
At end of road, turn left onto OK 9; US 62; US 81
1.7 mi·2 min·OK 9; US 62; US 81
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto US 81; US 277
1.8 mi·2 min·North 4th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn left
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 44 West: LawtonUse the left lane.
31
Merge onto I 44
34 mi·36 min·Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
5.0 mi·5 min·Pioneer Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
2.5 mi·2 min·Bill W. Burgess, Junior Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit onto US 281 Business
0.9 mi·1 min·US 281 Business
Exit 39AToward US 281 Business South: LawtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Turn left onto Southwest Gore Boulevard
38 ft·0 sec·Southwest Gore Boulevard
36
Arrive at destination
Southwest Gore Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 191.6-mile trip, consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for the 3-hour, 22-minute drive and any spontaneous stops. Since it's a single-day excursion with a fuel cost of around $29, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests paying close attention to navigation, as you'll be making frequent adjustments. Make sure to fill up your tank before leaving Alva, as there's only one recommended stop along the way, ensuring you have plenty of fuel for the entire journey.
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 102.1 miles from Alva, OK, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.7 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 45 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.1 miles or 2h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lawton, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alva, 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 Alva, OK
This is one driving day of about 204.1 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Alva, 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 OK 8 for about 34.7 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 203.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|US 64; OK 14 / Oklahoma Boulevard
Turn left onto US 64; OK 14 / Oklahoma Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
9
109.5 mi into trip|~2h 28m in
Take the exit toward I 40 East: Oklahoma City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Oklahoma City
8
126.6 mi into trip|~2h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 40 Business West, US 81: El Reno, Chickasaw
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 125
Toward I 40 Business West, US 81: El Reno, Chic...
8
126.8 mi into trip|~2h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 81 South: Chickasaw
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 81 South: Chickasaw
7
203.2 mi into trip|~4h 12m in|US 281 Business
Take the exit onto US 281 Business toward US 281 Business South: Lawton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 39A
Toward US 281 Business South: Lawton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.14 one way
$60.28 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$33.27
$66.55
premium
$4.72
$37.90
$75.79
diesel
$4.80
$38.54
$77.08
Estimated Tolls: $2.38
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
(34 mi)$2.38
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
$30
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.2
0
$21.43
$9.80
Efficient EV
51
0
$17.86
$8.16
EV Truck/SUV
81.6
1
$28.57
$13.06
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Alva, OK
Morning
in Alva on Sunday
Local time
6:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
103°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lawton, OK
Morning
in Lawton on Sunday
Local time
6:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
S 3 to 16 mph37% chanceLive 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
31 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
4h 14m 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.
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
$18
near mile 118.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 191.6-mile route. With 0% highway share, you'll be on surface streets and local roads for the full 3 hours and 22 minutes. There isn't a 'longest stretch' to note because the route is characterized by frequent changes in direction rather than long, uninterrupted segments. This means you'll be actively navigating for most of the journey, with the road personality remaining consistent from Alva to Lawton.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.7 mi on OK 8.
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 around 0.5 miles in near US 64; OK 14 / Oklahoma Boulevard.
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 21 significant decision points across 204.1 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 0.5 miles (US 64; OK 14 / Oklahoma Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 109.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 126.6 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
1,616 ft1,107 ft
Total Climb
777 ft
Total Descent
1,016 ft
Highest Point
1,616 ft
~72.9 mi in
Elevation Range
509 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 Alva, OK to Lawton, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Chickasaw along the way.
Chickasaw
126.6 mi in|~2h 46m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Alva is in the Red Carpet Country region of Oklahoma. The town itself boasts a handful of sights, but its real attraction is as a convenient base for exploring three of Oklahoma's most interesting natural attractions: Little Sahara State Park, Alabaster Caverns State Park and the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 204.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 34.7 miles on OK 8. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.38 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.
Yes — we found about 17 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Lawton, 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. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (US 64; OK 14 / Oklahoma Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 109.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 126.6 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Lawton, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
