Spanning 214.4 miles across Oklahoma, this drive from Elk City to Jenks typically takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete. Because the entire journey remains within the Great Plains region, you can easily tackle this route in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $33 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for a weekend excursion. You will primarily utilize a combination of the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and the John Kilpatrick Turnpike. It is a straightforward, practical route that connects the western plains to the Jenks area efficiently.
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
107.2 miles from Elk City, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
82 mi
1h 21m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
81.7 mi
1h 23m
John Kilpatrick Turnpike
23.5 mi
25m
Great Western Cattle Trail
10.7 mi
10m
Creek Turnpike
7.1 mi
8m
Senator Ed Berrong Memorial Highway
2.6 mi
2m
East 3rd Street
2.6 mi
4m
Northwest 10th Street
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
— 82 mi, about 1h 21m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,288 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,531
Quietest
2 AM
~168 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.7×
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 Elk City, OK and Jenks, OK.
1
Start on this road
99 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto I 40 Business; US Historic 66
2.6 mi·4 min·East 3rd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the exit onto I 40 Business
0.3 mi·25 sec·J. Cooper West Memorial Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Merge onto I 40
3.0 mi·2 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
5
Continue on I 40
11 mi·10 min·Great Western Cattle Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 40
24 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 40
2.6 mi·2 min·Senator Ed Berrong Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 40
55 mi·54 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 137Toward Cornwell Drive, Czech Hall RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
117 ft·9 sec
11
Turn left onto North Czech Hall Road
0.2 mi·29 sec·North Czech Hall Road
12
Turn right onto Northwest 10th Street
1.8 mi·3 min·Northwest 10th Street
13
Continue on Northwest 10th Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·Northwest 10th Street
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 344 East
15
Merge onto I 344
24 mi·25 min·John Kilpatrick Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 44
82 mi·1 hr 21 min·Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit onto OK 364
7.1 mi·8 min·Creek Turnpike
Exit 218BToward OK 364 East: Jenks, Broken Arrow, JoplinUse the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Toward Peoria Avenue, Elm Street, JenksUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto South Elm Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Elm Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West Main Street
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
107 ft·4 sec·North 2nd Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
North 2nd Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 45-minute journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Since the route relies heavily on major turnpikes, ensure you have your toll payment method ready before you head out to avoid any delays at booths. Leaving early in the morning can help you bypass potential congestion as you approach the Jenks area. Given the $33 fuel estimate, it is wise to check your tank level before hitting the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, as fuel stops are most convenient near the major interchanges. Flexibility is a major advantage here, so feel free to adjust your pace based on traffic conditions on the turnpikes.
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 107.2 miles from Elk City, OK, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82 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 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.2 miles or 1h 54m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jenks, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elk City, 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 Elk City, OK
This is one driving day of about 214.4 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Elk City, 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 82 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 and 214 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|I 40 Business; US Historic 66 / East 3rd Street
Turn left onto I 40 Business; US Historic 66 / East 3rd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
97.9 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward Cornwell Drive, Czech Hall Road
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 137
Toward Cornwell Drive, Czech Hall Road
8
206.2 mi into trip|~3h 33m in|OK 364 / Creek Turnpike
Take the exit onto OK 364 / Creek Turnpike toward OK 364 East: Jenks, Broken Arrow, Joplin
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 218B
Toward OK 364 East: Jenks, Broken Arrow, Joplin
7
213.3 mi into trip|~3h 42m in
Take the exit toward Peoria Avenue, Elm Street, Jenks
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.
Toward Peoria Avenue, Elm Street, Jenks
6
214 mi into trip|~3h 44m in|West Main Street
Turn right onto West Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.65 one way
$71.29 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$38.83
$77.66
premium
$5.18
$43.75
$87.50
diesel
$5.35
$45.16
$90.32
Estimated Tolls: $5.77
Turner Turnpike
(82 mi)$4.10
Kilpatrick Turnpike
(23.5 mi)$1.18
Creek Turnpike
(7.1 mi)$0.49
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
$36
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.3
0
$22.51
$10.29
Efficient EV
53.6
0
$18.76
$8.58
EV Truck/SUV
85.8
1
$30.02
$13.72
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Elk City, OK
Afternoon
in Elk City on Wednesday
Local time
4:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Jenks, OK
Afternoon
in Jenks on Wednesday
Local time
4:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph3% 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
3 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 45m 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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
$18
near mile 118.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed drive profile, with highways accounting for 53% of your total time on the road. You can anticipate a blend of fast-paced turnpike travel and standard highway driving as you navigate toward your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike, where you will cover 82 miles of continuous road. While the route involves significant highway segments, the transition between different turnpikes and regional highways keeps the pace steady. Expect a functional, well-connected driving experience that prioritizes speed and directness over technical maneuvers.
53% 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: 82 mi on Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike.
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 early in the drive near I 40 Business; US Historic 66 / East 3rd Street.
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 214.4 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: near the start (I 40 Business; US Historic 66 / East 3rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 97.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.2 miles (OK 364 / Creek Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,918 ft616 ft
Total Climb
117 ft
Total Descent
1,418 ft
Highest Point
1,918 ft
Elevation Range
1,301 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Elk City is in the Great Plains Country region of southwest Oklahoma. It owes its existence to the railroad as well as to agriculture, oil extraction, and transportation services, being as it is on the busy interstate thoroughfare that is I-40. But perhaps what it is best known for is its location on the historic Route 66.
Jenks is in the Green Country region of Oklahoma. Jenks' landscape is very similar to Tulsa's (it is right next to it) which is green with lots of trees and hills. It is right next to the Arkansas River, Riverparks, and it is near to many of the attractions in Tulsa. Its people are very friendly too, they have that famous Southern charm.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 214.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82 miles on Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.77 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Jenks, 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: near the start (I 40 Business; US Historic 66 / East 3rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 97.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.2 miles (OK 364 / Creek Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Jenks, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
