Spanning 273.3 miles, this drive from Broken Bow to Stillwater takes approximately 4 hours and 55 minutes, making it a manageable day trip if you get an early start. You will travel through the heart of the Great Plains, navigating a mix of roads including the Indian Nation Turnpike, the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, and the Wayne Crusoe Memorial Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $42, it is a budget-friendly trek across Oklahoma. Since the entire trip sits within the Great Plains region, you can expect a consistent landscape throughout your journey. While you could technically make this trek in one go, planning for at least one stop will help keep you refreshed for the nearly five-hour duration.
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
136.7 miles from Broken Bow, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Indian Nation Turnpike
104.5 mi
1h 43m
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
58.7 mi
59m
Wayne Crusoe Memorial Highway
43.6 mi
49m
Gaddy Road
41 mi
48m
South Perkins Road
9 mi
11m
Washington Street
4 mi
4m
US 70
3.7 mi
4m
North Park Drive
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Indian Nation Turnpike
— 104.5 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Broken Bow, OK and Stillwater, OK.
1
Start on West 3rd Street
145 ft·11 sec·West 3rd Street
2
Turn left onto US 259
2.5 mi·3 min·North Park Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn slight right onto OK 3; US 70; US 259
0.5 mi·32 sec·OK 3; US 70; US 259
4
Continue on US 70; US 259; OK 3
3.7 mi·4 min·US 70; US 259; OK 3
5
Continue on OK 3; US 70; US 259
1.4 mi·1 min·Northeast Lincoln Road
6
Turn right onto US 70
4.0 mi·4 min·Washington Street
7
Turn right onto US 70
1.4 mi·1 min·Northwest Texas Avenue
8
Continue on US 70
44 mi·49 min·Wayne Crusoe Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on OK 375
104 mi·1 hr 43 min·Indian Nation Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 40 West, US 62 West, US 75 South: Oklahoma CityUse the sharp right lane.
11
Merge onto I 40
198 ft·2 sec·Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 40
59 mi·59 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 181Toward US 177, OK 3W East, US 270 East: Shawnee, TecumsehUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
126 ft·4 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Merge onto US 177
41 mi·48 min·Gaddy Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 177
1.2 mi·2 min·South Main Street
17
Turn left onto OK 33; CR EW71; US 177
0.9 mi·1 min·East 116th Street
18
Turn slight right
265 ft·9 sec
Use the right lane.
19
Turn straight onto US 177
9.0 mi·11 min·South Perkins Road
20
Turn left onto OK 51
0.4 mi·1 min·East 6th Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
OK 51
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth arrival in Stillwater, plan your departure for the early morning to avoid midday fatigue. Since the route includes only one recommended stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs, especially given the lengthy 104.5-mile turnpike segment. Keep your $42 fuel budget in mind, and consider topping off your tank before hitting the more remote stretches of the Indian Nation Turnpike. Because this is a sub-five-hour drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your itinerary based on traffic or weather conditions. Always double-check your route markers when transitioning between the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway and the Wayne Crusoe Memorial Highway to stay on track.
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 136.7 miles from Broken Bow, OK, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 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 60 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.7 miles or 2h 25m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stillwater, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Broken Bow, 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 Broken Bow, OK
This is one driving day of about 273.3 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Broken Bow, 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 Indian Nation Turnpike for about 104.5 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 272.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 259 / North Park Drive
Turn left onto US 259 / North Park Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
161.5 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 40 West, US 62 West, US 75 South: Oklahoma City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the sharp right lane.
Toward I 40 West, US 62 West, US 75 South: Okla...
8
220.5 mi into trip|~3h 49m in
Take the exit toward US 177, OK 3W East, US 270 East: Shawnee, Tecumseh
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 181
Toward US 177, OK 3W East, US 270 East: Shawnee...
7
220.8 mi into trip|~3h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
272.9 mi into trip|~4h 54m in|OK 51 / East 6th Avenue
Turn left onto OK 51 / East 6th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.73 one way
$85.45 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$46.91
$93.83
premium
$4.89
$52.59
$105.19
diesel
$5.61
$60.34
$120.68
Estimated Tolls: $7.31
Indian Nation Turnpike
(104.5 mi)$7.31
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
$43
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82
1
$28.70
$13.12
Efficient EV
68.3
0
$23.91
$10.93
EV Truck/SUV
109.3
1
$38.26
$17.49
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Broken Bow, OK
Evening
in Broken Bow on Saturday
Local time
8:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Stillwater, OK
Evening
in Stillwater on Saturday
Local time
8:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°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
17 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 55m 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...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
$18
near mile 226.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing high-speed transit with local road navigation. About 40% of your time will be spent on highways, providing a reliable pace for the majority of the journey. You should prepare for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 104.5 miles while cruising along the Indian Nation Turnpike, where consistent speeds are the norm. The character of the road shifts as you transition between the various memorials and turnpikes, requiring you to stay alert as you move from major thoroughfares onto secondary stretches. Expect a blend of open highway focus and the more varied attention required for navigating local segments.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.5 mi on Indian Nation Turnpike.
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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 259 / North Park Drive.
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 273.3 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (US 259 / North Park Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 161.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 220.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,002 ft468 ft
Total Climb
575 ft
Total Descent
53 ft
Highest Point
1,002 ft
~214.8 mi in
Elevation Range
534 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 Broken Bow, OK to Stillwater, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Tecumseh along the way.
Tecumseh
220.5 mi in|~3h 49m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 273.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.5 miles on Indian Nation Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.31 in tolls one way, starting with Indian Nation 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 Stillwater, 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: near the start (US 259 / North Park Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 161.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 220.5 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Stillwater, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
