Traveling from Edmond to Arkoma covers 196.6 miles and takes approximately 3 hours and 33 minutes. Because this journey stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Oklahoma, you can easily complete it in a single day. You will navigate via the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, the Tinker Diagonal, and the Broadway Extension. Budgeting around $30 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since you only need one stop along the way, this route is highly efficient for those looking to reach their destination without a lengthy overnight commitment.
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
98.3 miles from Edmond, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
158.6 mi
2h 41m
Tinker Diagonal
11.8 mi
13m
Broadway Extension
6.7 mi
7m
West Ray Fine Boulevard
5.9 mi
8m
Centennial Expressway
4.5 mi
5m
South Broadway
2.6 mi
5m
Wheeler Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
1.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
— 158.6 mi, about 2h 41m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 35 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,065 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,409
Quietest
2 AM
~186 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Edmond, OK and Arkoma, OK.
1
Start on US Historic 66; US 77
0.2 mi·42 sec·East 2nd Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
2
Turn left onto US Historic 66; US 77
2.6 mi·5 min·South Broadway
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on US 77
6.7 mi·7 min·Broadway Extension
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on I 235; US 77
4.5 mi·5 min·Centennial Expressway
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 1AToward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichita, Fort SmithUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 40; US 270
1.3 mi·1 min·Crosstown Expressway
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40; US 270
12 mi·13 min·Tinker Diagonal
Exit 128Toward I 240 East, US 270 East: Fort SmithUse the slight left lane.
8
Continue on I 40; US 270; OK 3
75 mi·1 hr 17 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on I 40
1.4 mi·1 min·Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
Toward I 40 East: Fort SmithUse the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 40
83 mi·1 hr 24 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 325Toward US 64: Roland, Fort SmithUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto US 64
5.9 mi·8 min·West Ray Fine Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn right onto AR 255
0.2 mi·23 sec·South 5th Street
14
Turn slight left onto AR 255
477 ft·13 sec·Garland Avenue
15
Continue on AR 255
0.1 mi·13 sec·South 6th Street
16
Continue on AR 255
1.6 mi·2 min·Wheeler Avenue
17
Turn right onto South Y Street
0.4 mi·45 sec·South Y Street
18
Turn left onto State Line Road
0.5 mi·50 sec·State Line Road
19
Turn right onto Blocker Avenue
404 ft·9 sec·Blocker Avenue
20
Turn right
63 ft·4 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 196.6-mile trek, plan your departure to account for the single stop recommended to break up the drive. Since the route involves several local road transitions, stay alert for changing speed limits and signage as you move through different segments. You have plenty of flexibility with a drive of this duration, so consider leaving early to avoid peak local traffic on the Tinker Diagonal. Keep your $30 fuel budget in mind, and ensure your tank is topped off before hitting the 158.6-mile stretch on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway to avoid any mid-route stress.
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 98.3 miles from Edmond, OK, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.6 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 43 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.3 miles or 1h 47m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arkoma, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Edmond, 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 Edmond, OK
This is one driving day of about 196.6 miles and 3h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Edmond, 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 158.6 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 187.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US Historic 66; US 77 / South Broadway
Turn left onto US Historic 66; US 77 / South Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
14 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichita, Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichi...
5
14.2 mi into trip|~19m in|I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway
Merge onto I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
15.5 mi into trip|~21m in|I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal toward I 240 East, US 270 East: Fort Smith
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 128
Toward I 240 East, US 270 East: Fort Smith
8
187.4 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
Take the exit toward US 64: Roland, Fort Smith
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 325
Toward US 64: Roland, Fort Smith
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.69 one way
$65.37 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$35.60
$71.21
premium
$5.18
$40.12
$80.23
diesel
$5.35
$41.41
$82.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59
0
$20.64
$9.44
Efficient EV
49.2
0
$17.20
$7.86
EV Truck/SUV
78.6
0
$27.52
$12.58
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Edmond, OK
Afternoon
in Edmond on Wednesday
Local time
2:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
SSW 7 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Arkoma, OK
Afternoon
in Arkoma on Wednesday
Local time
2:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph2% 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 33m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While about 3% of your journey utilizes major highways, the experience is defined by the transitions between local connectors. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, which accounts for a substantial 158.6-mile stretch of the trip. The road personality shifts from urban-adjacent thoroughfares to more localized transit as you progress. This mix keeps the drive engaging, moving away from the monotony of a purely interstate-focused route.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 158.6 mi on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US Historic 66; US 77 / South Broadway.
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 196.6 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 0.2 miles (US Historic 66; US 77 / South Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 14 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.2 miles (I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,204 ft475 ft
Total Climb
72 ft
Total Descent
753 ft
Highest Point
1,204 ft
Elevation Range
729 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 Edmond, OK to Arkoma, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Smith along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 33m. Total distance: 196.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 158.6 miles on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 Arkoma, 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US Historic 66; US 77 / South Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 14 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.2 miles (I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway): 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 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Arkoma, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
