Bray to Midwest City is 85 miles and takes about 1 hour 42 minutes via Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, US 81, and North Broadway, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Oklahoma, moving from the wide-open spaces of the Great Plains region to another part of the same region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip designed for efficient travel. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is best suited for a single-day journey where you can focus on getting to your destination without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.5 miles from Bray, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
26.5 mi
24m
US 81
13.4 mi
16m
North Broadway
13.3 mi
16m
Will Rogers Expressway
12.3 mi
14m
OK 29
8.3 mi
14m
Crosstown Expressway
5.8 mi
7m
Tinker Diagonal
2.5 mi
3m
Southeast 15th Street
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
— 26.5 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bray, OK and Midwest City, OK.
1
Start on OK 29
0.2 mi·20 sec·OK 29
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
2
Continue on OK 29
8.1 mi·14 min·OK 29
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Turn right onto US 81
13 mi·16 min·North Broadway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
4
Continue on US 81
13 mi·16 min·US 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 44 East: Oklahoma CityUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 44
26 mi·24 min·Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on I 44; US 62
12 mi·14 min·Will Rogers Expressway
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 120BToward I 40 East, US 270 East: Fort SmithUse the right lane.
9
Continue on I 40; US 270
5.8 mi·7 min·Crosstown Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40; US 270
2.5 mi·3 min·Tinker Diagonal
Exit 128Toward I 240 East, US 270 East: Fort SmithUse the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 155BToward Del City, Midwest CityUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn slight left onto Southeast 15th Street
0.5 mi·58 sec·Southeast 15th Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on Southeast 15th Street
1.5 mi·2 min·Southeast 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn right onto Felix Place
115 ft·7 sec·Felix Place
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right
34 ft·4 sec
16
Turn right
34 ft·2 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a drive time under two hours, this trip offers a lot of flexibility for when you decide to depart. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Midwest City well before evening. Your longest continuous stretch on the highway is 26.5 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly; you won't need to worry about running low if you fill up before hitting the turnpike. Given the short distance, you can easily make this a same-day trip without feeling rushed. Keep an eye out for the transition from the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike onto US 81 as you approach your destination.
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 42.5 miles from Bray, OK, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.5 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 19 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.5 miles or 54m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Midwest City, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bray, OK so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bray, OK
This is one driving day of about 85 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Bray, OK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Harry E. Bailey Turnpike for about 26.5 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.3 and 82.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
8.3 mi into trip|~14m in|US 81 / North Broadway
Turn right onto US 81 / North Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
35 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward I 44 East: Oklahoma City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 44 East: Oklahoma City
8
74.2 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 40 East, US 270 East: Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 120B
Toward I 40 East, US 270 East: Fort Smith
9
80.3 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal toward I 240 East, US 270 East: Fort Smith
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 128
Toward I 240 East, US 270 East: Fort Smith
8
82.8 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward Del City, Midwest City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 155B
Toward Del City, Midwest City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.29 one way
$26.58 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$14.59
$29.18
premium
$4.89
$16.36
$32.71
diesel
$5.61
$18.77
$37.53
Estimated Tolls: $1.85
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
(26.5 mi)$1.85
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
$13
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.5
0
$8.92
$4.08
Efficient EV
21.3
0
$7.44
$3.40
EV Truck/SUV
34
0
$11.90
$5.44
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Bray, OK
Late night
in Bray on Tuesday
Local time
3:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Midwest City, OK
Late night
in Midwest City on Tuesday
Local time
3:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 18 to 23 mph43% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 8:31AM CDT until April 21 at 3:35AM CDT by NWS Tulsa OK
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 7:31AM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
75°F
Newcastle, OK
43 mi in
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
26 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
1h 42m 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 is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 78% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, including a continuous stretch of 26.5 miles. While there are segments on US 81 and North Broadway, the overall character is one of steady progress on well-maintained roads. Expect a consistent driving experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads or frequent changes in scenery.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 26.5 mi on Harry E. Bailey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Harry E. Bailey Turnpike and US 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.3 miles in near US 81 / North Broadway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85 miles you will encounter 11 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 8.3 miles (US 81 / North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 35 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Midwest City is in the Frontier Country region of Oklahoma, a city that grew up around Tinker Air Force Base and the General Motors and Douglas Aircraft Company plants, though in some ways feels like OKC suburbia.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 85 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 26.5 miles on Harry E. Bailey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.85 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.
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 Midwest City, OK before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.3 miles (US 81 / North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 35 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.2 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Midwest City, OK before heading back.
