This approximately 213-mile drive from Duncan, OK, to Muskogee, OK, will take you about 3 hours and 54 minutes. It's a manageable distance, perfect for completing in a single day, with a projected fuel cost of around $33. The journey primarily utilizes the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, US 81, and the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, offering a mixed driving experience. You'll traverse the Great Plains region throughout this trip, so expect a consistent landscape. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two Oklahoma cities without needing an overnight stop.
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
106.4 miles from Duncan, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
98.6 mi
1h 40m
US 81
36.9 mi
48m
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
26.5 mi
24m
US 69
20.9 mi
22m
Southeast Expressway
13 mi
14m
Will Rogers Expressway
7.7 mi
8m
Southwest Expressway
3.3 mi
4m
US 64 Business
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
— 98.6 mi, about 1h 40m
Traffic on I-240
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,662 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~256 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.3×
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 Duncan, OK and Muskogee, OK.
1
Start on North 9th Street
154 ft·10 sec·North 9th Street
2
Turn right onto OK 7A
0.6 mi·1 min·West Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 81
1.6 mi·2 min·US 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on US 81
0.1 mi·10 sec·US 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on US 81
0.6 mi·55 sec·US 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 81
21 mi·28 min·US 81
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 81
13 mi·16 min·US 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 44 East: Oklahoma CityUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 44
26 mi·24 min·Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 44; US 62
7.7 mi·8 min·Will Rogers Expressway
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 62
0.3 mi·42 sec·US 62
Exit 115Toward I 240 East, US 62 East, OK 3 East: Fort SmithUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 240; US 62; OK 3
3.3 mi·4 min·Southwest Expressway
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on I 240; US 62; OK 3
13 mi·14 min·Southeast Expressway
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on I 40; US 270; OK 3
75 mi·1 hr 17 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on I 40
1.4 mi·1 min·Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
Toward I 40 East: Fort SmithUse the straight lane.
16
Continue on I 40
23 mi·23 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 264BToward US 69 North: MuskogeeUse the sharp right lane.
18
Merge onto US 69
21 mi·22 min·US 69
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto West Hancock Road
1.0 mi·2 min·West Hancock Road
20
Turn left onto US 64 Business
1.7 mi·3 min·US 64 Business
21
Turn left onto US 62 Business; US 64 Business
74 ft·2 sec·West Okmulgee Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
US 62 Business; US 64 Business
Trip Plan
With a duration of under 4 hours, this trip offers flexibility; you can depart at your leisure. Plan for one main stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest uninterrupted stretch is nearly 100 miles, so be sure to take advantage of opportunities before that point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 98.6-mile segment on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, as services can be spaced out. The total fuel cost is estimated at $33, so budget accordingly.
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 106.4 miles from Duncan, OK, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.6 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 47 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.4 miles or 2h 1m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Muskogee, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Duncan, 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 Duncan, OK
This is one driving day of about 212.7 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Duncan, 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 Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway for about 98.6 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 188.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|US 81
Turn right onto US 81
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
37.5 mi into trip|~49m in
Take the exit toward I 44 East: Oklahoma City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 44 East: Oklahoma City
5
37.9 mi into trip|~50m in|I 44 / Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Merge onto I 44 / Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
72.1 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|US 62
Take the exit onto US 62 toward I 240 East, US 62 East, OK 3 East: Fort Smith
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 115
Toward I 240 East, US 62 East, OK 3 East: Fort...
7
188.8 mi into trip|~3h 25m in
Take the exit toward US 69 North: Muskogee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the sharp right lane.
Exit 264B
Toward US 69 North: Muskogee
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.41 one way
$62.82 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$34.68
$69.35
premium
$4.72
$39.49
$78.98
diesel
$4.80
$40.16
$80.32
Estimated Tolls: $1.85
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
(26.5 mi)$1.85
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
$31
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.8
0
$22.33
$10.21
Efficient EV
53.2
0
$18.61
$8.51
EV Truck/SUV
85.1
1
$29.78
$13.61
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Duncan, OK
Late night
in Duncan on Sunday
Local time
2:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
S 8 to 13 mph63% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Muskogee, OK
Late night
in Muskogee on Sunday
Local time
2:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph28% chanceLive forecast
77°F
Shawnee, OK
106 mi in
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
1 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
3h 54m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll encounter a mixed drive on this route, with 52% of the journey on highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll experience is 98.6 miles along the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, providing a good opportunity to settle in. While much of the drive involves efficient travel on main roads, the 'mixed' profile suggests you might also navigate some varied road conditions or types as you progress toward Muskogee. This isn't a monotonous interstate crawl, but rather a blend of highway cruising and potentially some more local road segments.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.6 mi on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway.
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 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near US 81.
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 212.7 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.6 miles (US 81): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.9 miles (I 44 / Harry E. Bailey Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Duncan is in the Great Plains Country region of southwest Oklahoma, known as the "Crepe Myrtle Capital of Oklahoma" and as the place of origin of the petrochemical giant Halliburton. This article also covers the nearby town of Marlow.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 212.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.6 miles on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.85 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 14 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 Muskogee, 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (US 81): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.9 miles (I 44 / Harry E. Bailey Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Muskogee, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
