Buffalo, OK to Lawton, OK is 226.3 miles and takes about 4h 21m via Oklahoma Avenue, 9th Street, and Williams Avenue, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Oklahoma, traversing the Great Plains region from start to finish. Since it's entirely on surface roads, expect a more local pace compared to highway travel. With a single recommended stop and a duration under five hours, this route is a straightforward, one-day trip. It offers a chance to see more of Oklahoma's landscape at a relaxed speed.
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
113.1 miles from Buffalo, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
OK 3
53.2 mi
1h
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
34 mi
36m
US 183
33.7 mi
39m
OK 37
19.2 mi
21m
OK 8
19 mi
20m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
16.8 mi
16m
US 81
11.5 mi
13m
42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway
8.4 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
OK 3
— 53.2 mi, about 1h
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~743 veh/hr typical
· worst 979
Quietest
2 AM
~48 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, OK and Lawton, OK.
1
Start on US 64; US 183
3.9 mi·5 min·North Hoy Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
2
Continue on US 183
15 mi·17 min·US 183
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto US 183; US 270; US 412; OK 3
5.0 mi·6 min·US 183; US 270; US 412; OK 3
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Continue on US 183; US 270; US 412; OK 3
0.3 mi·21 sec·US 183; US 270; US 412; OK 3
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on US 183; US 270; US 412; OK 3
3.4 mi·3 min·US 183; US 270; US 412; OK 3
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 183; US 270; US 412; OK 3
1.5 mi·1 min·US 183; US 270; US 412; OK 3
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 183; US 270; US 412; OK 3
3.7 mi·4 min·US 183; US 270; US 412; OK 3
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
Turn left onto US 183; US 270; US 412; OK 3
2.1 mi·4 min·Oklahoma Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Turn right onto US 183; US 270; OK 3; OK 34
0.5 mi·1 min·9th Street
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on US 183; US 270; OK 3; OK 34
2.0 mi·3 min·Williams Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on US 183; US 270; OK 3; OK 34
5.0 mi·5 min·US 183; US 270; OK 3; OK 34
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
12
Continue on OK 3; US 183; US 270
24 mi·26 min·OK 3; US 183; US 270
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on OK 3; US 270
2.0 mi·2 min·OK 3; US 270
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on OK 3; US 60; US 270; US 281
0.7 mi·49 sec·North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on OK 3; OK 51; US 270; US 281
8.4 mi·9 min·42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Continue on OK 3; US 270; US 281
4.1 mi·4 min·OK 3; US 270; US 281
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto OK 3; US 270; US 281
14 mi·15 min·OK 3; US 270; US 281
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on US 270; US 281; OK 3
1.9 mi·2 min·US 270; US 281; OK 3
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
19
Continue on OK 3; OK 33; US 270; US 281
9.6 mi·11 min·OK 3; OK 33; US 270; US 281
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto US 270; US 281; OK 8
2.0 mi·2 min·South Clarence Nash Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on OK 8; US 270; US 281
0.5 mi·31 sec·OK 8; US 270; US 281
22
Continue on OK 8; US 270; US 281
0.4 mi·27 sec·OK 8; US 270; US 281
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
23
Continue on OK 8; US 270; US 281
15 mi·16 min·OK 8; US 270; US 281
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on OK 8; US 281
2.6 mi·2 min·OK 8; US 281
25
Continue on US 281 Spur
4.1 mi·4 min·US 281 Spur
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 281 Spur
0.2 mi·34 sec·US 281 Spur
Use the straight lane.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 40 East: Oklahoma CityUse the straight / left lanes.
28
Merge onto I 40
17 mi·16 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 125Toward I 40 Business West, US 81: El Reno, ChickasawUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward US 81 South: ChickasawUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Merge onto US 81
10 mi·11 min·US 81
32
Continue on US 81; OK 152
1.1 mi·1 min·US 81; OK 152
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
33
Continue on OK 37; US 81
19 mi·21 min·OK 37; US 81
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
34
At end of road, turn left onto OK 9; US 62; US 81
1.7 mi·2 min·OK 9; US 62; US 81
Use the left lane.
35
Turn right onto US 81; US 277
1.8 mi·2 min·North 4th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Turn left
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 44 West: LawtonUse the left lane.
37
Merge onto I 44
34 mi·36 min·Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
38
Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
5.0 mi·5 min·Pioneer Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
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.
40
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.
41
Turn left onto Southwest Gore Boulevard
38 ft·0 sec·Southwest Gore Boulevard
42
Arrive at destination
Southwest Gore Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 226.3-mile drive, starting in the morning is advisable to take full advantage of daylight. Since the route is entirely on surface roads and has a fuel cost estimate of $32, you can plan for a single stop. Consider breaking up the drive around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Given the direct nature of the route and its surface road profile, keep an eye out for local traffic patterns as you pass through smaller communities. You'll be able to complete this trip comfortably in one day without needing an overnight stay.
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 113.1 miles from Buffalo, OK, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.2 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 50 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.1 miles or 2h 14m 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 36m
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 Buffalo, 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 Buffalo, OK
This is one driving day of about 226.3 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Buffalo, 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 OK 3 for about 53.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First break
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
$10 to $20
Woodward, Oklahoma
Hours: 11 am–2 pm
+15802905052
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 34.7 and 225.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
34.7 mi into trip|~43m in|US 183; US 270; OK 3; OK 34 / 9th Street
Turn right onto US 183; US 270; OK 3; OK 34 / 9th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
9
131.7 mi into trip|~2h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 40 East: Oklahoma City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Oklahoma City
8
148.7 mi into trip|~2h 52m in
Take the exit toward I 40 Business West, US 81: El Reno, Chickasaw
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 125
Toward I 40 Business West, US 81: El Reno, Chic...
8
149 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 81 South: Chickasaw
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 81 South: Chickasaw
7
225.3 mi into trip|~4h 19m 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
$37.75 one way
$75.50 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$41.19
$82.38
premium
$5.25
$46.80
$93.60
diesel
$6.18
$55.05
$110.10
Estimated Tolls: $2.38
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
(34 mi)$2.38
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
$38
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.9
0
$23.76
$10.86
Efficient EV
56.6
0
$19.80
$9.05
EV Truck/SUV
90.5
1
$31.68
$14.48
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Buffalo, OK
Night
in Buffalo on Tuesday
Local time
10:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
SSE 7 to 14 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lawton, OK
Night
in Lawton on Tuesday
Local time
10:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Sunny
SSE 3 to 10 mph1% 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
2 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 21m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is entirely on surface roads, meaning you won't encounter any highway driving. The 226.3 miles will be covered on local streets like Oklahoma Avenue, 9th Street, and Williams Avenue. Since there's no highway share, anticipate navigating through towns and rural areas at posted speed limits. The longest stretch without a specific mention suggests a continuous, unsegmented drive on these surface roads.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.2 mi on OK 3.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on OK 3 and Harry E. Bailey Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 34.7 miles in near US 183; US 270; OK 3; OK 34 / 9th Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 226.3 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 34.7 miles (US 183; US 270; OK 3; OK 34 / 9th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 131.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.7 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
2,070 ft1,109 ft
Total Climb
506 ft
Total Descent
1,213 ft
Highest Point
2,070 ft
~16.2 mi in
Elevation Range
961 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 Buffalo, OK to Lawton, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Chickasaw along the way.
Buffalo is the county seat of Harper County, located in the Red Carpet Country of northwest Oklahoma, on the eastern tip of the Oklahoma Panhandle. A picturesque town, Buffalo is proud to be considered a 'certified community.'
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 21m. Total distance: 226.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.2 miles on OK 3. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.38 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.
Yes — we found about 18 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 34.7 miles (US 183; US 270; OK 3; OK 34 / 9th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 131.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.7 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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Lawton, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
