Edmond, OK to Talihina, OK is 204.6 miles and takes about 3h 59m via Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway and US 270, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Great Plains region of Oklahoma to another part of the Great Plains, primarily utilizing highways for a significant portion of the drive. The route offers a mix of highway speeds and surface road cruising, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. Consider this an efficient way to cover ground within the state.
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
102.3 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
75.1 mi
1h 16m
US 270
35 mi
49m
Indian Nation Turnpike
34.2 mi
32m
West Main Street
14.2 mi
18m
OK 82
13.3 mi
19m
Tinker Diagonal
11.8 mi
13m
Broadway Extension
6.7 mi
7m
Centennial Expressway
4.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
— 75.1 mi, about 1h 16m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 54 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,699 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,174
Quietest
2 AM
~230 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Talihina, 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 16 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 240AToward Indian Nation Turnpike South: McAlester, DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto OK 375
34 mi·32 min·Indian Nation Turnpike
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 70Toward US 270, OK 1: McAlester, CalvinUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto US 270; OK 1
20 mi·32 min·US 270; OK 1
Use the left / right lanes.
13
Turn left onto US 270
4.9 mi·5 min·US 270
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on US 270
2.2 mi·2 min·US 270
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Continue on US 270
1.9 mi·2 min·US 270
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 270
2.3 mi·2 min·US 270
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 270
1.0 mi·1 min·US 270
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Continue on US 270
1.0 mi·1 min·US 270
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Continue on US 270
1.2 mi·1 min·US 270
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Turn slight right onto Brandy Road
362 ft·7 sec·Brandy Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
21
Turn slight left
0.1 mi·14 sec
22
Turn straight onto US 270; OK 2
14 mi·18 min·West Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
23
Turn right onto OK 82
4.2 mi·5 min·Southeast 2nd Street
24
Continue on OK 82
10 mi·13 min·OK 82
25
Continue on OK 82
2.8 mi·5 min·OK 82
Use the left / right lanes.
26
Turn left onto OK 1; OK 63
0.3 mi·28 sec·Talimena Scenic Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
27
Continue on OK 1; OK 63
0.2 mi·26 sec·Dallas Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
28
Arrive at destination
US 271; OK 63
Trip Plan
This is a manageable one-day drive, so leaving any time in the morning should work well, giving you ample daylight. With a total duration of under 4 hours, you'll likely only need one planned stop for fuel or a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach Talihina, as services can become less frequent in more rural areas. The longest stretch on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway is over 75 miles, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment.
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 102.3 miles from Edmond, OK, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.1 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 45 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.3 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 3h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Talihina, 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 204.6 miles and 3h 59m.
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 75.1 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 137.1 — 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...
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
102.4 mi into trip|~1h 51m in
Take the exit toward Indian Nation Turnpike South: McAlester, Dallas
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 240A
Toward Indian Nation Turnpike South: McAlester,...
8
137.1 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward US 270, OK 1: McAlester, Calvin
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 70
Toward US 270, OK 1: McAlester, Calvin
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.13 one way
$68.26 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$37.09
$74.19
premium
$5.26
$42.36
$84.72
diesel
$6.18
$49.77
$99.55
Estimated Tolls: $2.40
Indian Nation Turnpike
(34.2 mi)$2.40
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
$34
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.4
0
$21.48
$9.82
Efficient EV
51.2
0
$17.90
$8.18
EV Truck/SUV
81.8
1
$28.64
$13.09
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Edmond, OK
Morning
in Edmond on Tuesday
Local time
7:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Talihina, OK
Morning
in Talihina on Tuesday
Local time
7:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
81°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
3 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 59m 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?
About 43% of this 204.6-mile drive is on highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 75.1 miles on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway before transitioning to other roads. Expect a change from higher-speed highway travel to more varied surface road conditions as you progress. The route involves merging onto and exiting highways, with some sections of rural cruising.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.1 mi on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US Historic 66; US 77 / South Broadway.
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 15 significant decision points across 204.6 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 0.2 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 15.5 miles (I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,204 ft540 ft
Total Climb
204 ft
Total Descent
726 ft
Highest Point
1,204 ft
Elevation Range
664 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 Talihina, OK, road signs point toward Fort Smith, Indian Nation Turnpike South: Mcalester, Dallas and Calvin.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 204.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.1 miles on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.40 in tolls one way, starting with Indian Nation 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 Talihina, 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 0.2 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 15.5 miles (I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal): 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 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Talihina, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
