This 158.8-mile drive from Carnegie to Stillwater, Oklahoma, is a manageable one-day trip, taking about 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete. You'll navigate through familiar Great Plains landscapes in both your origin and destination states. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $24, and with just one recommended stop, it's a straightforward excursion. The route generally feels like a local drive, characterized by frequent turns rather than long stretches of highway. This makes it ideal for those who prefer a more varied driving experience over a day.
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
74.7 miles from Carnegie, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
24 mi
22m
Will Rogers Expressway
23.6 mi
28m
OK 33
22.1 mi
25m
4th Street
21.6 mi
36m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
19.7 mi
20m
OK 9
14 mi
20m
West Central Boulevard
9.3 mi
11m
South Perkins Road
9 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
— 24 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carnegie, OK and Stillwater, OK.
1
Start on West 2nd Street
104 ft·6 sec·West 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto OK 58
0.1 mi·20 sec·Carnegie Avenue
3
Turn left onto OK 9
22 mi·36 min·4th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on OK 9; US 62; US 281
3.1 mi·4 min·OK 9; US 62; US 281
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Turn left onto OK 9; US 62; US 281
1.0 mi·1 min·South Mission Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Turn right onto OK 9; US 62; US 281
9.3 mi·11 min·West Central Boulevard
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on OK 9; US 62
367 ft·6 sec·OK 9; US 62
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
Continue on OK 9; US 62
0.2 mi·16 sec·OK 9; US 62
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
9
Continue on OK 9; US 62
2.1 mi·3 min·OK 9; US 62
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Continue on OK 9; US 62
1.0 mi·1 min·OK 9; US 62
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Continue on OK 9; US 62
1.1 mi·1 min·OK 9; US 62
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
12
Continue on OK 9; US 62
1.4 mi·2 min·OK 9; US 62
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
13
Continue on OK 9; US 62
1.2 mi·1 min·OK 9; US 62
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
14
Continue on OK 9; US 62
3.8 mi·5 min·OK 9; US 62
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 44 East: Oklahoma CityUse the left lane.
16
Merge onto I 44
24 mi·22 min·Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on I 44; US 62
16 mi·18 min·Will Rogers Expressway
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
7.7 mi·9 min·Will Rogers Expressway
Toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: TulsaUse the right lane.
19
Merge onto I 35; I 44; OK 66
5.1 mi·5 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on I 35; OK 66
4.1 mi·4 min·Shannon Miller Parkway
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on I 35; US 77
15 mi·15 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 157Toward OK 33: Guthrie, Perkins, CushingUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto OK 33
0.9 mi·1 min·OK 33
Use the right lane.
24
Continue on OK 33
21 mi·24 min·OK 33
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn left onto US 177
9.0 mi·11 min·South Perkins Road
Use the left lane.
26
Turn left onto OK 51
0.4 mi·1 min·East 6th Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
OK 51
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes, you have plenty of flexibility for when you depart Carnegie. Aiming for a mid-morning start will allow you to make a single, unhurried stop along the way. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the $24 estimate is based on typical consumption for this distance. Since this is a local drive with no long highway stretches, pay close attention to your GPS for the frequent turns. This route is best tackled when you're ready for a steady, in-town navigation experience rather than high-speed travel.
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 74.7 miles from Carnegie, OK, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24 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 33 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.7 miles or 1h 39m 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 33m
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 Carnegie, 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 Carnegie, OK
This is one driving day of about 149.5 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Carnegie, 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 Harry E. Bailey Turnpike for about 24 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 117.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|OK 9 / 4th Street
Turn left onto OK 9 / 4th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
24.8 mi into trip|~42m in|OK 9; US 62; US 281 / South Mission Street
Turn left onto OK 9; US 62; US 281 / South Mission Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
46 mi into trip|~1h 10m in
Turn left toward I 44 East: Oklahoma City
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 44 East: Oklahoma City
8
86.2 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: Tulsa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: Tulsa
8
117.7 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward OK 33: Guthrie, Perkins, Cushing
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 157
Toward OK 33: Guthrie, Perkins, Cushing
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.37 one way
$46.75 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$25.66
$51.32
premium
$4.89
$28.77
$57.54
diesel
$5.61
$33.01
$66.02
Estimated Tolls: $1.68
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
(24 mi)$1.68
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
$23
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.9
0
$15.70
$7.18
Efficient EV
37.4
0
$13.08
$5.98
EV Truck/SUV
59.8
0
$20.93
$9.57
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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 15, 2026
Origin
Carnegie, OK
Night
in Carnegie on Saturday
Local time
11:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Stillwater, OK
Night
in Stillwater on Saturday
Local time
11:18 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 6m 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 'turn-heavy local drive' for this entire 158.8-mile journey, as indicated by the 0% highway share. You'll be following local roads like Carnegie Avenue, 4th Street, and South Mission Street for the majority of the time. Without any significant highway portions, the longest uninterrupted stretch is not a defining feature of this route. The character of the drive is consistent, focusing on navigating through communities and local thoroughfares rather than open highway cruising. This means you'll likely experience a more grounded, community-level perspective as you travel.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24 mi on Harry E. Bailey 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 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near OK 9 / 4th 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 149.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.1 miles (OK 9 / 4th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.8 miles (OK 9; US 62; US 281 / South Mission Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 46 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Carnegie, OK and Stillwater, OK, road signs point toward Perkins and Cushing.
Perkins
117.7 mi in|~2h 27m
Cushing
117.7 mi in|~2h 27m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 149.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 24 miles on Harry E. Bailey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.68 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 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: at 0.1 miles (OK 9 / 4th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.8 miles (OK 9; US 62; US 281 / South Mission Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 46 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Oklahoma City National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Stillwater, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
