Ardmore, OK to Ponca City, OK is 199.8 miles and takes about 3h 36m via World War II Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, moving from southern Oklahoma to the northern part of the state. Expect a local feel for much of the journey, with a good portion of the drive on main roads rather than interstates. Given the relatively short duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day, allowing for a relaxed pace and plenty of flexibility.
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
99.9 miles from Ardmore, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
77.4 mi
1h 18m
World War I Veterans Memorial Highway
71.3 mi
1h 14m
West South Avenue
12.1 mi
13m
Director Steven Stokes Memorial Highway
11 mi
11m
Helen Cole Memorial Highway
6.6 mi
7m
Doctor James E. and Representative Mina M. Hibdon Memorial Highway
5.7 mi
6m
Shannon Miller Parkway
4.1 mi
4m
Honorable Hannah Diggs Atkins, Secretary of State, Memorial Highway
2.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
— 77.4 mi, about 1h 18m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,005 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,646
Quietest
2 AM
~277 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
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 Ardmore, OK and Ponca City, OK.
1
Start on this road
51 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
58 ft·1 sec·West Broadway Street
3
Continue on West Broadway Street
1.2 mi·2 min·West Broadway Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 35: Oklahoma CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 35
32 mi·31 min·World War I Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on I 35
11 mi·11 min·Director Steven Stokes Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 35
34 mi·35 min·World War I Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35
5.7 mi·6 min·Doctor James E. and Representative Mina M. Hibdon Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·Helen Cole Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 35; US 77
5.3 mi·6 min·World War I Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 62
0.3 mi·25 sec·I 35; US 62
Toward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichita, Fort SmithUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 35; I 40; US 62; US 270
1.0 mi·1 min·Crosstown Expressway
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 62
2.4 mi·2 min·Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway
Toward I 35 North, US 62 East: WichitaUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 35
2.9 mi·3 min·Honorable Hannah Diggs Atkins, Secretary of State, Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on I 35
5.4 mi·5 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward I 35 North, I 44 East, OK 66 EastUse the straight lane.
16
Continue on I 35; OK 66
4.1 mi·4 min·Shannon Miller Parkway
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on I 35; US 77
72 mi·1 hr 12 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 214Toward US 60: Tonkawa, Ponca CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto US 60
12 mi·13 min·West South Avenue
Toward US 60 East: Tonkawa, Ponca CityUse the straight / left / right lanes.
20
Turn slight left onto US 60 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·US 60 Business
21
Turn left onto US 60 Business
0.6 mi·1 min·South Waverly Street
22
Turn right onto US 60 Business
0.8 mi·2 min·West Grand Avenue
23
Turn left onto North Oak Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·North Oak Street
24
Turn right onto West Broadway Avenue
0.1 mi·22 sec·West Broadway Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
West Broadway Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 36m estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart Ardmore in the morning to maximize daylight hours for your journey. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to decide when and where to pull over based on your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 77.4 miles on the World War II Veterans Memorial Highway, as services might be less frequent. The $31 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's always wise to have a bit extra budgeted for unexpected needs.
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 99.9 miles from Ardmore, OK, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.4 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 44 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.9 miles or 1h 47m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ponca City, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ardmore, 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 Ardmore, OK
This is one driving day of about 199.8 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Ardmore, 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 World War II Veterans Memorial Highway for about 77.4 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 184.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|West Broadway Street
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
8
96.2 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|I 35; US 62
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 62 toward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichita, Fort Smith
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichi...
8
97.5 mi into trip|~1h 44m in|I 35; US 62 / Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 62 / Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway toward I 35 North, US 62 East: Wichita
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35 North, US 62 East: Wichita
8
184.2 mi into trip|~3h 14m in
Take the exit toward US 60: Tonkawa, Ponca City
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 214
Toward US 60: Tonkawa, Ponca City
7
184.4 mi into trip|~3h 14m in|US 60 / West South Avenue
Turn right onto US 60 / West South Avenue toward US 60 East: Tonkawa, Ponca City
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Toward US 60 East: Tonkawa, Ponca City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.51 one way
$59.01 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$32.57
$65.15
premium
$4.72
$37.10
$74.19
diesel
$4.80
$37.73
$75.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.9
0
$20.98
$9.59
Efficient EV
50
0
$17.48
$7.99
EV Truck/SUV
79.9
0
$27.97
$12.79
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Ardmore, OK
Morning
in Ardmore on Sunday
Local time
6:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
S 1 to 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Ponca City, OK
Morning
in Ponca City on Sunday
Local time
6:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 7 mph10% 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 36m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 route offers a turn-heavy local drive experience. While it incorporates some highway sections, with a 3 highway share percentage, you'll find yourself navigating local roads for a significant portion. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 77.4 miles on the World War II Veterans Memorial Highway. Be prepared for a varied driving experience, transitioning between faster highway segments and more intricate local road navigation as you progress towards Ponca City. This isn't a monotonous interstate cruise, but rather a route that keeps you engaged.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.4 mi on World War II Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 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 13 significant decision points across 199.8 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 (West Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 96.2 miles (I 35; US 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.5 miles (I 35; US 62 / Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,218 ft872 ft
Total Climb
665 ft
Total Descent
528 ft
Highest Point
1,218 ft
~99.9 mi in
Elevation Range
346 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 Ardmore, OK to Ponca City, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Smith along the way.
Fort Smith
96.2 mi in|~1h 43m|via I 35; US 62
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Ardmore is in the Chickasaw Country region of Oklahoma. It is a regional center for the area and offers lodging and restaurants, as well as performing arts centers. Ardmore can serve as a base for exploring the nearby region and the Arbuckle Mountains.
Top landmarks
•Ardmore Historic Commercial District — United States historic place
•Ardmore Carnegie Library — United States historic place
Ponca City is in the Red Carpet Country region of Oklahoma. It's a city rich in oil lore, at least as it pertains to one person, E.W. Marland, who was like a titan of the plains, tapping into vast oil reserves with his Continental Oil Co. and largely building the town from the ground up single-handedly, with Spanish Colonial style structures and things that were to his liking. His company would go on to become Conoco and then ConocoPhillips after a merger with <ding> Phillips, which later split up.
But there were other inspirations in the history of Ponca City. For one, Bill Picket was an African American cowboy/Wildwest performer who gained fame for his 'bulldogging' theatrics, grabbing bulls by the horns basically to wrestle them to the ground, an activity that cost him his life one day.
Top landmarks
•Miller Brothers 101 Ranch — human settlement in Ponca City, Oklahoma, United States of America
•E. W. Marland Mansion — historic house in Oklahoma, United States
•Poncan Theatre — theater and movie theater in Ponca City, Oklahoma, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 36m. Total distance: 199.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.4 miles on World War II Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 Ponca 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. There are 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 96.2 miles (I 35; US 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.5 miles (I 35; US 62 / Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Oklahoma City National Memorial and Chickasaw National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Ponca City, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
