Spanning 175.9 miles, this drive from Copeland to Harrah takes you across the Great Plains of Oklahoma in approximately 3 hours and 5 minutes. Given the manageable duration, you can easily complete this journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Your route utilizes a combination of US 59 North and I-44, so keep in mind that portions of this path are PIKEPASS-only. Budgeting roughly $27 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since the entire drive stays within the Great Plains region, you can expect consistent terrain throughout your trek.
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
87.9 miles from Copeland, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
72.7 mi
1h 11m
Will Rogers Turnpike
60.2 mi
1h
Skelly Bypass
15 mi
18m
Kickapoo Turnpike
10.2 mi
9m
US 59
8.6 mi
11m
I 44
5.1 mi
6m
Northeast 23rd Street
1.3 mi
2m
Church Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
— 72.7 mi, about 1h 11m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,460 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~198 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.4×
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 Copeland, OK and Harrah, OK.
1
Start on East 250 Road
303 ft·13 sec·East 250 Road
2
Turn sharp left onto US 59
8.4 mi·11 min·US 59
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Continue on US 59; US 69; US Historic 66
0.2 mi·19 sec·US 59; US 69; US Historic 66
Toward US 59 North, US 69 North: MiamiUse the straight lane.
4
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·44 sec
Toward I 44: Tulsa, JoplinUse the sharp right lane.
5
Turn straight onto US 60
512 ft·8 sec·US 60
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 44: Tulsa, JoplinUse the straight / sharp right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward PIKEPASS OnlyUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 44
60 mi·1 hr·Will Rogers Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
5.1 mi·6 min·I 44
Exit 34Toward I 44 West, US 412 West, OK 66 West: TulsaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 44; OK 66
14 mi·17 min·Skelly Bypass
Toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Sapulpa, Oklahoma CityUse the slight left lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 44; OK 66
1.1 mi·1 min·Skelly Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 44
73 mi·1 hr 11 min·Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
Toward I 44 West: Oklahoma CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 149Toward Kickapoo TurnpikeUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 335
10 mi·9 min·Kickapoo Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 138Toward US 62: Harrah, ChoctawUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto US 62
1.3 mi·2 min·Northeast 23rd Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Continue on US 62
0.3 mi·30 sec·Church Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
OK 270
Trip Plan
Planning your departure for early in the day is a smart move to navigate the local roads while visibility is at its best. Since the route requires only one stop, you have plenty of flexibility to pace yourself according to your own schedule. Be sure to check your PIKEPASS status before heading out, as the toll requirements on I-44 are strictly enforced. Given the turn-heavy nature of the drive, stay alert for changing road conditions that require frequent adjustments. Taking advantage of the short 3-hour duration allows you to arrive in Harrah with plenty of time left to settle in.
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 87.9 miles from Copeland, OK, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.7 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 39 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.9 miles or 1h 37m 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 Harrah, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Copeland, 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 Copeland, OK
This is one driving day of about 175.9 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Copeland, 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 Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike for about 72.7 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 174 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 59
Turn sharp left onto US 59
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
9.3 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PIKEPASS Only
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PIKEPASS Only
9
70.2 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|I 44
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 toward I 44 West, US 412 West, OK 66 West: Tulsa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 34
Toward I 44 West, US 412 West, OK 66 West: Tuls...
8
75.3 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|I 44; OK 66 / Skelly Bypass
Keep slight left at fork onto I 44; OK 66 / Skelly Bypass toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Sapulpa, Oklahoma City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Sapulpa, Oklahoma...
8
174 mi into trip|~3h 2m in
Take the exit toward US 62: Harrah, Choctaw
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 138
Toward US 62: Harrah, Choctaw
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.25 one way
$58.49 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$31.86
$63.71
premium
$5.18
$35.89
$71.79
diesel
$5.35
$37.05
$74.10
Estimated Tolls: $7.36
Turner Turnpike
(72.7 mi)$3.64
Will Rogers Turnpike
(60.2 mi)$3.01
Kickapoo Turnpike
(10.2 mi)$0.71
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
$29
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.8
0
$18.47
$8.44
Efficient EV
44
0
$15.39
$7.04
EV Truck/SUV
70.4
0
$24.63
$11.26
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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 May 26, 2026
Origin
Copeland, OK
Afternoon
in Copeland on Wednesday
Local time
3:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Clear
E 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Harrah, OK
Afternoon
in Harrah on Wednesday
Local time
3:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 7 mph0% 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 5m 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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
$18
near mile 169.8
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 driving experience as you navigate your way between these two points. Because the highway share is 0%, you will spend your time navigating local roads rather than high-speed interstate corridors. The journey demands your full attention behind the wheel due to the winding nature of the path. Unlike a monotonous highway slog, this route keeps you engaged with its technical profile from start to finish. You should prepare for a steady, hands-on driving experience as you transition from Copeland toward Harrah.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.7 mi on Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike and Will Rogers Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 59.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 175.9 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 0.1 miles (US 59): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.2 miles (I 44): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,105 ft591 ft
Total Climb
731 ft
Total Descent
418 ft
Highest Point
1,105 ft
~175.9 mi in
Elevation Range
514 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Copeland, OK and Harrah, OK, road signs point toward Joplin, Pikepass Only, Oklahoma City and Kickapoo Turnpike.
Joplin
9 mi in|~12m
Pikepass Only
9.3 mi in|~13m
Oklahoma City
75.3 mi in|~1h 21m|via I 44; OK 66
Kickapoo Turnpike
163 mi in|~2h 51m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 175.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.7 miles on Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.36 in tolls one way, starting with Turner 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 9 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 Harrah, 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 59): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.2 miles (I 44): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 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 Harrah, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
