This 114.6-mile drive from Bethel Acres, OK, to Muskogee, OK, will take you about 2 hours and 10 minutes. Primarily using the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway and US 69, with a portion on Hardesty Road, this route stays within the Great Plains region. With a fuel cost estimate of $18, it's an economical single-day trip. The road profile suggests a turn-heavy local drive, so don't expect a high-speed interstate experience. It's a straightforward journey perfectly suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.3 miles from Bethel Acres, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
77.9 mi
1h 17m
US 69
20.9 mi
22m
Hardesty Road
4.6 mi
8m
North Kickapoo Street
2.6 mi
5m
US 177
2.4 mi
2m
US 64 Business
1.7 mi
3m
Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
1.4 mi
1m
West Hancock Road
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
— 77.9 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethel Acres, OK and Muskogee, OK.
1
Start on this road
116 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Thomas Glenn
0.3 mi·1 min·Thomas Glenn
3
Turn left onto Hardesty Road
4.6 mi·8 min·Hardesty Road
4
Turn left onto US 177; US 270
2.4 mi·2 min·US 177; US 270
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
6
Turn straight onto US 270 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·Kickapoo Spur
7
Turn left onto North Kickapoo Street
2.6 mi·5 min·North Kickapoo Street
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto West Interstate Parkway
451 ft·14 sec·West Interstate Parkway
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 40 East: Fort Smith
10
Merge onto I 40
55 mi·54 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 40
1.4 mi·1 min·Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
Toward I 40 East: Fort SmithUse the straight lane.
12
Continue on I 40
23 mi·23 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 264BToward US 69 North: MuskogeeUse the sharp right lane.
14
Merge onto US 69
21 mi·22 min·US 69
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto West Hancock Road
1.0 mi·2 min·West Hancock Road
16
Turn left onto US 64 Business
1.7 mi·3 min·US 64 Business
17
Turn left onto US 62 Business; US 64 Business
74 ft·2 sec·West Okmulgee Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
US 62 Business; US 64 Business
Trip Plan
For this relatively short, 2-hour, 10-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour in Bethel Acres and arrive in Muskogee with ample daylight. With only 114.6 miles, you likely won't need extensive planned stops, but be mindful of the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route and keep an eye on your navigation. The estimated fuel cost is $18, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing, as services might be spaced out on some of the local road segments.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57.3 miles from Bethel Acres, OK, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.9 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 25 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.3 miles or 1h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Muskogee, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bethel Acres, 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 Bethel Acres, OK
This is one driving day of about 114.6 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Bethel Acres, OK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway for about 77.9 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 8.5 and 91 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
8.5 mi into trip|~15m in|North Kickapoo Street
Turn left onto North Kickapoo Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
11.2 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the ramp toward I 40 East: Fort Smith
Navigation decision point
Toward I 40 East: Fort Smith
5
11.3 mi into trip|~21m in|I 40 / Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 40 / Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
90.7 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward US 69 North: Muskogee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the sharp right lane.
Exit 264B
Toward US 69 North: Muskogee
5
91 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|US 69
Merge onto US 69
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.92 one way
$35.83 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.67
$39.34
premium
$4.89
$22.05
$44.11
diesel
$5.61
$25.30
$50.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.4
0
$12.03
$5.50
Efficient EV
28.7
0
$10.03
$4.58
EV Truck/SUV
45.8
0
$16.04
$7.33
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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
Bethel Acres, OK
Night
in Bethel Acres on Saturday
Local time
9:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Muskogee, OK
Night
in Muskogee on Saturday
Local time
9:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
3 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
2h 10m 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?
Expect a driving experience that involves frequent turns and local road navigation, as indicated by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. While 22% of the route is on highways, the longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 77.9 miles on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. This suggests a drive that blends some faster-paced sections with more winding, community-focused roads as you progress toward Muskogee. Be prepared to adjust your speed and attention more frequently than on a pure interstate journey.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.9 mi on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 8.5 miles in near North Kickapoo Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 114.6 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.5 miles (North Kickapoo Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 11.3 miles (I 40 / Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 114.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.9 miles on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Muskogee, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.5 miles (North Kickapoo Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 11.3 miles (I 40 / Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Muskogee, OK before heading back.
