This 146.4-mile drive from Edmond, OK to Chelsea, OK is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 42 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike and I-44, making it a highway-focused journey. With a fuel cost estimated at $22, this route offers an efficient way to travel within the Great Plains region. The directness of this path makes it ideal for those looking to maximize their time at their destination rather than on the road. Consider this a straightforward connection between two points in Oklahoma.
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
73.2 miles from Edmond, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
86.1 mi
1h 25m
I 44
17.4 mi
18m
Skelly Bypass
15.5 mi
18m
Clem McSpadden Highway
10.2 mi
11m
Admiral Joe "Jocko" Clark Trailways
5.7 mi
6m
East 2nd Street
3 mi
5m
Shannon Miller Parkway
2.8 mi
3m
North Sioux Avenue
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
— 86.1 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Edmond, OK and Chelsea, OK.
1
Start on US Historic 66; US 77
3.0 mi·5 min·East 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the ramp onto OK 66
0.3 mi·35 sec·OK 66
Toward I 35 South: Oklahoma CityUse the straight / right lanes.
3
Merge onto I 35; OK 66
2.8 mi·3 min·Shannon Miller Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Continue on I 35; OK 66
0.6 mi·41 sec·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·41 sec
Exit 138AToward I 44 East: TulsaUse the sharp right lane.
6
Merge onto I 344
0.4 mi·32 sec·John Kilpatrick Turnpike
7
Continue on I 44
86 mi·1 hr 25 min·Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 44; OK 66
1.2 mi·1 min·Skelly Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44; OK 66
14 mi·17 min·Skelly Bypass
Toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: JoplinUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 44; US 412; OK 66
4.3 mi·5 min·I 44; US 412; OK 66
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
13 mi·13 min·I 44
Toward I 44 East: Joplin, ClaremoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 255Toward OK 20: Claremore, Pryor CreekUse the slight right lane.
13
At end of road, turn left onto OK 20
0.3 mi·38 sec·East Will Rogers Boulevard
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto North Dorothy Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·North Dorothy Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto East 9th Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·East 9th Street
16
At end of road, turn left onto Maiden Lane
359 ft·6 sec·Maiden Lane
17
Continue on CR S4160
1.9 mi·3 min·North Sioux Avenue
18
Turn right onto OK 66; US Historic 66
10 mi·11 min·Clem McSpadden Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on OK 66; US Historic 66
5.7 mi·6 min·Admiral Joe "Jocko" Clark Trailways
20
Continue on OK 66; OK 28; US Historic 66
0.5 mi·57 sec·Walnut Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto OK 28
0.2 mi·33 sec·West 6th Street
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
OK 28
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 42-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. You could depart in the morning and arrive in Chelsea by lunchtime. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $22, planning is minimal. The longest stretch on the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike is substantial, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on it. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as services can be spaced out on turnpikes. This direct route allows for flexibility; you can leave whenever suits you best and still have plenty of daylight.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.2 miles from Edmond, OK, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.1 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 32 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.2 miles or 1h 17m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chelsea, 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 146.4 miles and 2h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike for about 86.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 126.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3 mi into trip|~5m in|OK 66
Take the ramp onto OK 66 toward I 35 South: Oklahoma City
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 35 South: Oklahoma City
7
6.6 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward I 44 East: Tulsa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the sharp right lane.
Exit 138A
Toward I 44 East: Tulsa
8
94.6 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|I 44; OK 66 / Skelly Bypass
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44; OK 66 / Skelly Bypass toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: Joplin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: Joplin
8
113.1 mi into trip|~2h 1m 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
126.2 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Take the exit toward OK 20: Claremore, Pryor Creek
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 255
Toward OK 20: Claremore, Pryor Creek
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.89 one way
$45.78 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$25.13
$50.26
premium
$4.89
$28.17
$56.35
diesel
$5.61
$32.32
$64.65
Estimated Tolls: $4.33
Turner Turnpike
(86.1 mi)$4.31
Kilpatrick Turnpike
(0.4 mi)$0.02
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
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.9
0
$15.37
$7.03
Efficient EV
36.6
0
$12.81
$5.86
EV Truck/SUV
58.6
0
$20.50
$9.37
Gas CO2
51 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
Edmond, OK
Night
in Edmond on Saturday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chelsea, OK
Night
in Chelsea on Saturday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°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
13 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
2h 42m 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 drive that is predominantly highway, with 73% of the route utilizing major interstates and turnpikes. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 86.1 miles on the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike. This means a good portion of your journey will involve consistent speeds and relatively straightforward navigation. While the Skelly Bypass adds a bit of variation, the overall character is that of a focused, high-speed transit between destinations within the familiar landscape of the Great Plains.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.1 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 I 44. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in near OK 66.
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 14 significant decision points across 146.4 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 3 miles (OK 66): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.6 miles (I 44; OK 66 / Skelly Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,204 ft598 ft
Total Climb
257 ft
Total Descent
741 ft
Highest Point
1,204 ft
Elevation Range
606 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Edmond, OK and Chelsea, OK, road signs point toward Claremore and Pryor Creek.
Claremore
113.1 mi in|~2h 1m|via I 44
Pryor Creek
126.2 mi in|~2h 14m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 42m. Total distance: 146.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.1 miles on Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.33 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.
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 Chelsea, 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 3 miles (OK 66): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.6 miles (I 44; OK 66 / Skelly Bypass): 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Chelsea, OK before heading back.
