Enid, OK to Salina, OK is 168.3 miles and takes about 3h 7m via Cimarron Turnpike and I 44, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Oklahoma. With most of the route on highways, you'll find it efficient for getting from point A to point B. It's a solid one-day option for those looking to cover ground without a lengthy commitment. You can expect a predictable pace for the majority of this drive.
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
84.1 miles from Enid, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cimarron Turnpike
59 mi
56m
Trooper Chris Van Krevelen Memorial Highway
24.1 mi
25m
I 44
17.4 mi
18m
OK 20
15.5 mi
21m
Sand Springs Expressway
14.9 mi
16m
Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
10.3 mi
12m
East Will Rogers Boulevard
9.4 mi
11m
Keystone Expressway
8.6 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Cimarron Turnpike
— 59 mi, about 56m
Traffic on I-244
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,380 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,130
Quietest
1 AM
~184 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.4×
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 Enid, OK and Salina, OK.
1
Start on South Grand Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·South Grand Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 412; CR E0430
6.4 mi·9 min·East Owen K. Garriott Road
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on US 64; US 412; CR E0425
24 mi·25 min·Trooper Chris Van Krevelen Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 412
15 mi·14 min·Cimarron Turnpike
Toward US 412 East: TulsaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi·7 sec
Exit 15Toward US 177: Stillwater, Ponca CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·12 sec
Exit 15Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Merge onto US 412
44 mi·41 min·Cimarron Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 412
5.0 mi·5 min·Keystone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 64; US 412
1.2 mi·1 min·Jerald Warden Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 64; US 412
3.6 mi·3 min·Keystone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 64; US 412
15 mi·16 min·Sand Springs Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 244; US 412
10 mi·12 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on I 44; US 412; OK 66
4.3 mi·5 min·I 44; US 412; OK 66
Use the straight lane.
14
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.
15
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 255Toward OK 20: Claremore, Pryor CreekUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn slight right
284 ft·7 sec
Toward OK 20 East: Pryor Creek
17
Turn right onto OK 20
9.4 mi·11 min·East Will Rogers Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
18
Continue on OK 20
1.4 mi·1 min·OK 20
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on OK 20
14 mi·20 min·OK 20
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn right onto South Cherokee Avenue
12 ft·0 sec·South Cherokee Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
21
Arrive at destination
South Cherokee Avenue
Trip Plan
Given this drive takes just over 3 hours, you have plenty of flexibility for your departure time. Leaving Enid in the morning allows you to reach Salina with ample time to spare. The single recommended stop suggests you can easily manage your breaks. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, it's wise to fill up before departing Enid or at one of the services along the Cimarron Turnpike to ensure you don't have to search for gas in more rural stretches. Keep an eye out for the transition points between the turnpike and interstates to maintain your flow.
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 84.1 miles from Enid, OK, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59 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 37 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.1 miles or 1h 27m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salina, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Enid, 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 Enid, OK
This is one driving day of about 168.3 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Enid, 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 Cimarron Turnpike for about 59 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 142.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|US 412; CR E0430 / East Owen K. Garriott Road
Turn left onto US 412; CR E0430 / East Owen K. Garriott Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
45.8 mi into trip|~51m in
Take the exit toward US 177: Stillwater, Ponca City
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 15
Toward US 177: Stillwater, Ponca City
8
45.9 mi into trip|~51m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 15
8
129.5 mi into trip|~2h 18m 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
142.6 mi into trip|~2h 31m 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
$27.98 one way
$55.96 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$30.48
$60.96
premium
$5.18
$34.34
$68.68
diesel
$5.35
$35.45
$70.90
Estimated Tolls: $2.94
Cimarron Turnpike
(59 mi)$2.94
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
$28
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.5
0
$17.67
$8.08
Efficient EV
42.1
0
$14.73
$6.73
EV Truck/SUV
67.3
0
$23.56
$10.77
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 May 28, 2026
Origin
Enid, OK
Afternoon
in Enid on Wednesday
Local time
3:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 8 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 28 at 3:28PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Destination
Salina, OK
Afternoon
in Salina on Wednesday
Local time
3:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SE 5 to 10 mph64% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 28 at 3:28PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
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 7m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 75% of the 168.3 miles on major roads like the Cimarron Turnpike and I 44. You'll experience a longest stretch of 59 miles on the Cimarron Turnpike before transitioning to other highways. Expect a consistent cruising speed for a significant portion of your travel. The transition from turnpike to interstate offers a smooth continuation of highway travel.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59 mi on Cimarron Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Cimarron Turnpike and Trooper Chris Van Krevelen Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 412; CR E0430 / East Owen K. Garriott Road.
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 10 significant decision points across 168.3 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 0.3 miles (US 412; CR E0430 / East Owen K. Garriott Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 45.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,240 ft613 ft
Total Climb
77 ft
Total Descent
678 ft
Highest Point
1,240 ft
Elevation Range
627 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Enid, OK and Salina, OK, road signs point toward Ponca City, Claremore and Pryor Creek.
Enid is the county seat of Garfield County, Oklahoma. The population was 47,045 at the 2000 census. It is in the Red Carpet Country region of Oklahoma. Enid was founded during the opening of the Cherokee Outlet by land run in 1893 and was originally a stop along the Chisolm Trail. It has also been the home of Vance Air Force Base since 1941.
Top landmarks
•Broadway Tower — building in Enid, Oklahoma, USA
•Enid Cemetery — cemetery in Enid, Oklahoma
•Enid Downtown Historic District — historic district in Oklahoma, United States
Salina is a town in Green Country Oklahoma. It was founded in 1796 and is the oldest permanent settlement in Oklahoma. The name was given due to the salt wells in the local area. It is quite hilly in the area and is located at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 168.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59 miles on Cimarron Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.94 in tolls one way, starting with Cimarron 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 8 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 Salina, 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 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 412; CR E0430 / East Owen K. Garriott Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 45.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Salina, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
