Edmond, OK to Poteau, OK is 204 miles and takes about 3h 46m via Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, US 59, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, mostly on surface roads with a small portion on highways. It's a straightforward, single-day drive, making it a good option if you're looking for a direct route without extensive highway time. Plan for about 36 dollars in fuel costs to cover the 204 miles.
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
102 miles from Edmond, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
141.4 mi
2h 23m
Kerr Boulevard
20 mi
23m
US 59
12.3 mi
19m
Tinker Diagonal
11.8 mi
13m
Broadway Extension
6.7 mi
7m
Centennial Expressway
4.5 mi
5m
South Broadway
2.6 mi
5m
Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
1.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
— 141.4 mi, about 2h 23m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 27 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,678 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~226 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.8×
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 Poteau, 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
66 mi·1 hr 6 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto I 40 Business
0.2 mi·31 sec·I 40 Business
Exit 308Toward I 40 Business East, US 59: Sallisaw, PoteauUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto US 59
20 mi·23 min·Kerr Boulevard
Use the right lane.
13
Turn right onto US 59; US 271
359 ft·7 sec·US 59; US 271
14
Continue on US 59; US 271
0.1 mi·10 sec·US 59; US 271
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Continue on US 59; US 271
12 mi·19 min·US 59; US 271
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Turn right onto Circle Drive
0.1 mi·12 sec·Circle Drive
17
Continue on Paul Mathies Drive
0.9 mi·1 min·Paul Mathies Drive
18
Turn left onto Beard Avenue
0.4 mi·41 sec·Beard Avenue
19
At end of road, turn left onto US 59 Business; US 271 Business
114 ft·6 sec·South Broadway Street
20
Turn right onto Dewey Avenue
56 ft·1 sec·Dewey Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Dewey Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 46m duration, this route is easily completed in a single day, so you can leave anytime. With only one recommended stop and a focus on surface roads, flexibility is key. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $36 budget is an estimate and stops for gas might be less frequent than on a pure highway trip. The longest stretch on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway is 141.4 miles, so be sure you have enough fuel before starting that segment. Poteau is your destination, so enjoy the drive without feeling rushed.
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 102 miles from Edmond, OK, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141.4 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 45 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102 miles or 1h 51m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Poteau, 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 204 miles and 3h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 141.4 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 0.2 and 170.1 — 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
170.1 mi into trip|~2h 59m in|I 40 Business
Take the exit onto I 40 Business toward I 40 Business East, US 59: Sallisaw, Poteau
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 308
Toward I 40 Business East, US 59: Sallisaw, Pot...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.13 one way
$60.25 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$33.26
$66.52
premium
$4.72
$37.88
$75.75
diesel
$4.80
$38.52
$77.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.2
0
$21.42
$9.79
Efficient EV
51
0
$17.85
$8.16
EV Truck/SUV
81.6
1
$28.56
$13.06
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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 10, 2026
Origin
Edmond, OK
Late night
in Edmond on Sunday
Local time
3:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Clear
SSW 9 to 13 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Poteau, OK
Late night
in Poteau on Sunday
Local time
3:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 to 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
96°F
Eufaula, OK
102 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 46m 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 spend about 9% of the 204 miles on highways, with the remaining 91% on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 141.4 miles on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. Expect the transition from highway cruising to surface roads to be quite noticeable as you move through the landscape. The drive profile is mostly surface roads, so be prepared for varied speed limits and more local traffic.
Only 9% 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: 141.4 mi on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 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 Effort5/10
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 204 miles you will encounter 14 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 ft489 ft
Total Climb
33 ft
Total Descent
749 ft
Highest Point
1,204 ft
Elevation Range
715 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 Poteau, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Smith along the way.
Poteau is a town in the Choctaw Country of Oklahoma and near Cavanal Hill, also known as "The World's Highest Hill". Poteau was selected as one of "The 100 Best Small Towns in America" in Norman Crapton's book by the same title.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 46m. Total distance: 204 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (9%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 141.4 miles on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Poteau, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
