Spanning 186.1 miles through the heart of the Great Plains, this drive from Blackwell to Lawton is a straightforward journey that takes approximately 3 hours and 18 minutes. You will primarily navigate via the World War II Veterans Memorial Highway, the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, and the Will Rogers Expressway. Because the entire trip stays within Oklahoma, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Budgeting around $28 for fuel should comfortably cover your transit between these two cities. Whether you are heading south for business or a change of pace, this route offers a reliable, no-nonsense path across the state.
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
93 miles from Blackwell, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
85 mi
1h 25m
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
60.9 mi
1h 1m
Will Rogers Expressway
23.5 mi
28m
Pioneer Expressway
5 mi
5m
Shannon Miller Parkway
4.1 mi
4m
West Doolin Avenue
3.4 mi
5m
Bill W. Burgess, Junior Highway
2.5 mi
2m
US 281 Business
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
— 85 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blackwell, OK and Lawton, OK.
1
Start on US 177
0.5 mi·55 sec·North Main Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
2
Turn left onto OK 11
3.4 mi·5 min·West Doolin Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Turn left
0.3 mi·38 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 35
80 mi·1 hr 20 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 35; US 77
4.1 mi·4 min·Shannon Miller Parkway
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on I 35; OK 66
5.0 mi·5 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44; OK 66
16 mi·19 min·Will Rogers Expressway
Exit 133Toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Lawton, AmarilloUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
7.9 mi·8 min·Will Rogers Expressway
Toward I 44 West, US 62 West: LawtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 44
61 mi·1 hr 1 min·Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Toward I 44 West: Chickasha, LawtonUse the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
5.0 mi·5 min·Pioneer Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
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.
13
Turn left onto Southwest Gore Boulevard
38 ft·0 sec·Southwest Gore Boulevard
14
Arrive at destination
Southwest Gore Boulevard
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable three-hour haul, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though hitting the road early helps you avoid peak traffic. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, as the 186.1-mile distance is just long enough to warrant a mid-trip break. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $28, so it is wise to monitor your gauge before hopping onto the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike. Because the route relies heavily on major expressways, stay alert for toll requirements when transitioning onto the turnpike sections. Use the single recommended stop to break up the drive, ensuring you arrive in Lawton feeling refreshed rather than fatigued.
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 93 miles from Blackwell, OK, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85 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 41 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93 miles or 1h 37m 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 42m
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 Blackwell, 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 Blackwell, OK
This is one driving day of about 186.1 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Blackwell, 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 85 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 185.1 — 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|~0m in|OK 11 / West Doolin Avenue
Turn left onto OK 11 / West Doolin Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
3.9 mi into trip|~6m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
9
93.3 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|I 44; OK 66 / Will Rogers Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44; OK 66 / Will Rogers Expressway toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Lawton, Amarillo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 133
Toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Lawton, Amarillo
8
108.8 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway toward I 44 West, US 62 West: Lawton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 44 West, US 62 West: Lawton
7
185.1 mi into trip|~3h 16m 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
$29.09 one way
$58.19 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$31.94
$63.89
premium
$4.89
$35.81
$71.63
diesel
$5.61
$41.09
$82.18
Estimated Tolls: $4.27
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
(60.9 mi)$4.27
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
$29
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.8
0
$19.54
$8.93
Efficient EV
46.5
0
$16.28
$7.44
EV Truck/SUV
74.4
0
$26.05
$11.91
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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 Apr 21, 2026
Origin
Blackwell, OK
Late night
in Blackwell on Tuesday
Local time
4:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Partly Cloudy
S 12 to 18 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lawton, OK
Late night
in Lawton on Tuesday
Local time
4:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 6 to 10 mph26% 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 18m 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 trip features a mixed drive profile, with highways accounting for 51% of your total travel time. You will spend a significant portion of your journey on the World War II Veterans Memorial Highway, which hosts the longest uninterrupted stretch of the route at 85 miles. Expect a transition between high-speed turnpikes and secondary expressways that keep the pace moving steadily. The road environment remains consistent with the flat, expansive character of the Great Plains region throughout the drive. While you will encounter varying road types, the experience is designed for efficiency rather than technical maneuvers, allowing you to settle into a comfortable rhythm behind the wheel.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85 mi on World War II Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near OK 11 / West Doolin Avenue.
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 186.1 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.5 miles (OK 11 / West Doolin Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 93.3 miles (I 44; OK 66 / Will Rogers Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,329 ft941 ft
Total Climb
642 ft
Total Descent
547 ft
Highest Point
1,329 ft
~159.5 mi in
Elevation Range
388 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 Blackwell, OK to Lawton, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Amarillo along the way.
Blackwell is in the Red Carpet Country region of Oklahoma. A Cherokee Outlet land run town from 1893, and regrettably a rather sordid sundown town for a good while after. Its big money-maker, a zinc smelter, would later come back to haunt the town with long-lasting environmental damage.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 18m. Total distance: 186.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85 miles on World War II Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.27 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.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (OK 11 / West Doolin Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 93.3 miles (I 44; OK 66 / Will Rogers 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 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Lawton, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
