Cherokee, OK to Copeland, OK is 250.5 miles and takes about 4h 39m via I 44 and Cimarron Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, crossing Oklahoma entirely. Expect a mostly highway experience, which generally means smoother sailing and fewer stops. Given the relatively short duration and single day recommendation, this route is best suited for those looking for a straightforward connection between these two points without a need for overnight stays.
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
125.3 miles from Cherokee, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
65.3 mi
1h 6m
Cimarron Turnpike
59 mi
56m
US 64
26.8 mi
35m
Trooper Chris Van Krevelen Memorial Highway
24.1 mi
25m
Staff Sargeant Chris Hake Memorial Highway
15 mi
17m
Sand Springs Expressway
14.9 mi
16m
Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
10.3 mi
12m
Keystone Expressway
8.6 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 65.3 mi, about 1h 6m
Traffic on I-244
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,380 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,130
Quietest
1 AM
~184 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Cherokee, OK and Copeland, OK.
1
Start on East 4th Street
99 ft·7 sec·East 4th Street
2
Turn left onto OK 8; OK 58; US 64
6.2 mi·7 min·South Grand Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 64; OK 58
17 mi·25 min·US 64; OK 58
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
4
Continue on US 64; OK 132
9.4 mi·10 min·US 64; OK 132
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
Turn right onto US 60; US 64; US 81
15 mi·17 min·Staff Sargeant Chris Hake Memorial Highway
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto East Phillips Avenue
0.5 mi·55 sec·East Phillips Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Turn right onto Crestwood
1.0 mi·1 min·Crestwood
8
At end of road, turn left onto CR E0400
1.5 mi·2 min·Breckinridge Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
9
Continue on CR E0400
2.0 mi·2 min·Breckenridge Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Turn right onto North 54th Street
2.5 mi·4 min·North 54th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Turn left onto US 64; US 412
2.0 mi·2 min·East Owen K. Garriott Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on US 64; US 412; CR E0425
24 mi·25 min·Trooper Chris Van Krevelen Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 412
15 mi·14 min·Cimarron Turnpike
Toward US 412 East: TulsaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·7 sec
Exit 15Toward US 177: Stillwater, Ponca CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·12 sec
Exit 15Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Merge onto US 412
44 mi·41 min·Cimarron Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 412
5.0 mi·5 min·Keystone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 64; US 412
1.2 mi·1 min·Jerald Warden Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 64; US 412
3.6 mi·3 min·Keystone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 64; US 412
15 mi·16 min·Sand Springs Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 244; US 412
10 mi·12 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on I 44; US 412; OK 66
4.3 mi·5 min·I 44; US 412; OK 66
Use the straight lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
61 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 44
Toward I 44 East: Joplin, ClaremoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 302Toward US 59, US 60: Fairland, Grove, AftonUse the right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Cash OnlyUse the straight lane.
26
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·20 sec·this road
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward US 59 South, US 60 West, US 69 South: Afton, GroveUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn straight onto US 59; US 60; US 69; US Historic 66
0.6 mi·56 sec·US 59; US 60; US 69; US Historic 66
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
29
Turn left onto US 59
7.8 mi·10 min·US 59
Toward US 69 South: Grove
30
Turn sharp right onto East 250 Road
303 ft·5 sec·East 250 Road
31
Arrive at destination
East 250 Road
Trip Plan
For this 250.5-mile drive, consider leaving mid-morning to allow for a relaxed start and ensure you have plenty of daylight to reach Copeland. The route is estimated to take just under 4.5 hours of driving time, so one planned stop should be sufficient for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $44 estimate is based on current prices and the 250.5-mile distance. Since this is a single-day trip, you'll have flexibility if you encounter any minor delays on the Cimarron Turnpike or US 64.
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 125.3 miles from Cherokee, OK, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.3 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 55 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.3 miles or 2h 24m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Copeland, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cherokee, 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 Cherokee, OK
This is one driving day of about 250.5 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Cherokee, 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 I 44 for about 65.3 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 96.6 and 241.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
96.6 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward US 177: Stillwater, Ponca City
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 15
Toward US 177: Stillwater, Ponca City
8
96.7 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 15
8
180.3 mi into trip|~3h 24m in|I 44
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 toward I 44 East: Joplin, Claremore
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 East: Joplin, Claremore
8
241.3 mi into trip|~4h 25m in
Take the exit toward US 59, US 60: Fairland, Grove, Afton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 302
Toward US 59, US 60: Fairland, Grove, Afton
9
241.8 mi into trip|~4h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 59 South, US 60 West, US 69 South: Afton, Grove
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 59 South, US 60 West, US 69 South: Af...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.99 one way
$73.99 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$40.84
$81.68
premium
$4.72
$46.51
$93.02
diesel
$4.80
$47.30
$94.60
Estimated Tolls: $2.94
Cimarron Turnpike
(59 mi)$2.94
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
$37
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.2
0
$26.30
$12.02
Efficient EV
62.6
0
$21.92
$10.02
EV Truck/SUV
100.2
1
$35.07
$16.03
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Cherokee, OK
Evening
in Cherokee on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
S 7 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Copeland, OK
Evening
in Copeland on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
0 mph20% 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 39m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on highways, with 77% of the 250.5 miles on interstates and turnpikes. You'll experience a longest stretch of 65.3 miles on I 44 before transitioning to other roads. Expect a fairly continuous highway experience for most of the 4h 39m duration, with the potential for dense exits as you approach your destination in Copeland.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.3 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and Cimarron Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 96.6 miles in.
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 20 significant decision points across 250.5 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 96.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 180.3 miles (I 44): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,221 ft657 ft
Total Climb
336 ft
Total Descent
724 ft
Highest Point
1,221 ft
~53.7 mi in
Elevation Range
564 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cherokee, OK and Copeland, OK, road signs point toward Ponca City and Claremore.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 39m. Total distance: 250.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.3 miles on I 44. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.94 in tolls one way, starting with Cimarron 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 11 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 Copeland, 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 96.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 180.3 miles (I 44): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Copeland, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
