Origin
Bartlesville, OK
Evening in Bartlesville on Saturday
Local time
8:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bartlesville, OK to Elk City, OK
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 44m
Distance
261.9 mi
421 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 31m
★
6 AM
4h 44m
8 AM
5h 11m
10 AM
4h 54m
12 PM
4h 51m
3 PM
4h 55m
5 PM
5h 10m
8 PM
4h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bartlesville, OK
Wikimedia Commons
Elk City, OK
Steve Burcham
Trip Overview
This 261.9-mile drive from Bartlesville to Elk City, Oklahoma, is a solid day trip, clocking in at around 4 hours and 44 minutes of pure driving time. You'll navigate primarily on the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and US 75, with 56% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost is about $40, and with just one recommended stop, it's an efficient journey across Oklahoma's Great Plains region. This route is straightforward, making it a manageable single-day adventure for most travelers.
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
130.9 miles from Bartlesville, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike | 86.6 mi | 1h 25m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 82.9 mi | 1h 25m |
| US 75 | 23.6 mi | 28m |
| John Kilpatrick Turnpike | 23.5 mi | 25m |
| Ira Lee Henderson Memorial Highway | 12.6 mi | 13m |
| Great Western Cattle Trail | 10.6 mi | 10m |
| Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway | 6.8 mi | 8m |
| US 60 | 5.1 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
— 86.6 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bartlesville, OK and Elk City, OK.
1
Start on this road
23 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
66 ft
·
10 sec
3
Turn left onto Southwest Jennings Avenue
123 ft
·
13 sec
·
Southwest Jennings Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 60
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Adams Boulevard
5
Continue on US 60
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Southeast Adams Boulevard
6
Take the ramp onto US 60
5.1 mi
·
8 min
·
US 60
Toward US 60 East, US 75 South: Nowata, Tulsa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 75
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Ira Lee Henderson Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 75
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 75
Toward US 75 South: Tulsa
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 75
22 mi
·
26 min
·
US 75
Toward US 75 South: Tulsa
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 244 West, US 412 West: Oklahoma City
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Merge onto I 244; US 412
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 244
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
Toward I 244 West, US 64 East, OK 51 East: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma City
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 244
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
Toward I 244 West: Oklahoma City
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 44; OK 66
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
·
Skelly Bypass
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on I 44
87 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
Toward I 44 West: Oklahoma City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 344
24 mi
·
25 min
·
John Kilpatrick Turnpike
Exit 138B
Toward Kilpatrick Turnpike West
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward Northwest 10th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on Northwest 10th Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Northwest 10th Street
Use the left lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Use the left lane.
20
Merge onto I 40; US 270
55 mi
·
55 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 40
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Senator Ed Berrong Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 40
24 mi
·
25 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 40
11 mi
·
10 min
·
Great Western Cattle Trail
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on I 40
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 40
Toward East 7th Street
Use the slight right lane.
26
Turn right onto North Eastern Avenue
244 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Eastern Avenue
27
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
East 3rd Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
28
Turn right
99 ft
·
7 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 44-minute drive, an early start from Bartlesville will give you ample time to reach Elk City without feeling rushed. Consider taking advantage of the longest stretch on the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike to make good time, but be mindful of the fuel cost, estimated at $40. With only one stop recommended, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to pause. A good tip is to check your fuel levels before you begin the 86.6-mile turnpike segment, as services can be spaced out.
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 130.9 miles from Bartlesville, OK, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.6 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 58 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.9 miles or 2h 24m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elk City, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bartlesville, 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 Bartlesville, OK
This is one driving day of about 261.9 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Bartlesville, 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 Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike for about 86.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
131 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 130.9 miles from Bartlesville, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 260.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 60
Take the ramp onto US 60 toward US 60 East, US 75 South: Nowata, Tulsa
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 60 East, US 75 South: Nowata, Tulsa
7
43.8 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Take the exit toward I 244 West, US 412 West: Oklahoma City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 244 West, US 412 West: Oklahoma City
8
45 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway toward I 244 West, US 64 East, OK 51 East: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 244 West, US 64 East, OK 51 East: Brok...
7
48.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway toward I 244 West: Oklahoma City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 244 West: Oklahoma City
7
260.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 39m in
Take the exit toward East 7th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 40
Toward East 7th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.95 one way
$81.89 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $44.96 | $89.91 |
| premium | $4.89 | $50.40 | $100.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $57.82 | $115.65 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.51
Turner Turnpike
(86.6 mi)
$4.33
Kilpatrick Turnpike
(23.5 mi)
$1.18
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
$41
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.6 | 0 | $27.50 | $12.57 |
| Efficient EV | 65.5 | 0 | $22.92 | $10.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.8 | 1 | $36.67 | $16.76 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Elk City, OK
Evening in Elk City on Saturday
Local time
8:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°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
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 44m 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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
$18
near mile 144.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, blending efficient highway travel with other road types. Over half the trip, 56%, will be on highways, offering the chance to cover ground quickly. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 86.6 miles, found on the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike, so plan your fuel and breaks accordingly. The road's character shifts as you progress, moving from the turnpike to other major arteries like the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway and US 75, providing a varied driving experience.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.6 mi on Governor Roy Joseph Turner 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 around 2.6 miles in near US 60.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 261.9 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: at 2.6 miles (US 60): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45 miles (I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bartlesville, OK and Elk City, OK, road signs point toward Oklahoma City and Kilpatrick Turnpike West.
Oklahoma City
45 mi in
|
~57m
|
via I 244
Kilpatrick Turnpike West
138.3 mi in
|
~2h 31m
|
via I 344
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 44m. Total distance: 261.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.6 miles on Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.51 in tolls one way, starting with Turner 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Elk 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: at 2.6 miles (US 60): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45 miles (I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Elk City, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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