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Trip from Heavener, OK to Lawton, OK

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 9m

Distance

283.8 mi

457 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 56m ★
6 AM
5h 9m
8 AM
5h 36m
10 AM
5h 19m
12 PM
5h 16m
3 PM
5h 20m
5 PM
5h 35m
8 PM
5h 1m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Heavener, OK, OK

Heavener, OK

cottonbro CG studio

city and County seat of Comanche County, Oklahoma, United States

Lawton, OK

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking from Heavener, Oklahoma, this 283.8-mile journey to Lawton, Oklahoma, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 9 minutes of pure driving time. The route will cost an estimated $44 in fuel and predominantly follows the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, and US 59. Given its duration, this drive is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You'll be traversing within the Great Plains region for the entirety of this Oklahoma-based excursion. The mixed drive profile suggests a varied road experience, not just a monotonous highway crawl.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

141.9 miles from Heavener, OK

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway 141.2 mi 2h 23m
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike 60.9 mi 1h 1m
US 59 17.1 mi 22m
West 1st Street 15.2 mi 21m
Southeast Expressway 13.2 mi 14m
North Broadway Street 8.6 mi 12m
Will Rogers Expressway 7.6 mi 8m
Broadway 5.4 mi 6m
Longest stretch: Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway — 141.2 mi, about 2h 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Heavener, OK and Lawton, OK.

1

Start on East 1st Street

237 ft · 12 sec · East 1st Street
2

Turn right onto East Avenue D

422 ft · 19 sec · East Avenue D
3

Turn right onto Main Street

135 ft · 10 sec · Main Street
4

Turn left onto West Avenue C

384 ft · 20 sec · West Avenue C
5

Turn right onto US 59; US 270

15 mi · 21 min · West 1st Street
Use the straight lane.
6

Turn slight right onto US 59; US 271

0.2 mi · 40 sec · US 59; US 271
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Turn left onto US 59; US 271

8.6 mi · 12 min · North Broadway Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Continue on US 59; US 271

2.2 mi · 3 min · US 59; US 271
Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Continue on US 59; US 271

319 ft · 7 sec · US 59; US 271
Use the straight lane.
10

Turn left onto OK 9; US 59

5.4 mi · 6 min · Broadway
Use the straight / left lanes.
11

Continue on US 59

15 mi · 17 min · US 59
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Take the exit onto I 40 Business

0.3 mi · 35 sec · I 40 Business
Toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City Use the left lane.
13

Merge onto I 40

66 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on I 40

1.5 mi · 1 min · Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
15

Continue on I 40

75 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto I 240; OK 3

13 mi · 14 min · Southeast Expressway
Toward OK 3 West, I 240 West: Lawton, Dallas Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on I 240; US 62; OK 3

3.7 mi · 4 min · Southwest Expressway
Use the straight lane.
18

Take the exit onto US 62

0.6 mi · 41 sec · US 62
Exit 1A Toward I 44 West, US 62 West: Lawton Use the right lane.
19

Merge onto I 44; US 62

7.6 mi · 8 min · Will Rogers Expressway
Use the straight lane.
20

Continue on I 44

61 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Toward I 44 West: Chickasha, Lawton Use the straight lane.
21

Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281

5.0 mi · 5 min · Pioneer Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281

2.5 mi · 2 min · Bill W. Burgess, Junior Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Take the exit onto US 281 Business

0.9 mi · 1 min · US 281 Business
Exit 39A Toward US 281 Business South: Lawton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Turn left onto Southwest Gore Boulevard

38 ft · 0 sec · Southwest Gore Boulevard
25

Arrive at destination

Southwest Gore Boulevard

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5-hour, 9-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Heavener to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace your journey, but factor in a quick break during that 141.2-mile stretch on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. The estimated fuel cost of $44 is a good budget to keep in mind, and it's always wise to top off your tank before leaving Heavener. Pay attention to road signs as you transition between the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, and US 59 to ensure you stay on course.

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 141.9 miles from Heavener, OK, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141.2 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 62 miles or 1h 19m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 141.9 miles or 2h 40m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lawton, OK than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Heavener, 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 Heavener, OK

This is one driving day of about 283.8 miles and 5h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Heavener, 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 141.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Oklahoma, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Holdenville, OK

142 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Sallisaw, OK

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Holdenville, OK

Meal break

The midpoint is around 141.9 miles from Heavener, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 141.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 282.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Avenue D

Turn right onto East Avenue D

Navigation decision point

7
46.5 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in | I 40 Business

Take the exit onto I 40 Business toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City
8
189.4 mi into trip | ~3h 29m in | I 240; OK 3 / Southeast Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 240; OK 3 / Southeast Expressway toward OK 3 West, I 240 West: Lawton, Dallas

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward OK 3 West, I 240 West: Lawton, Dallas
8
206.3 mi into trip | ~3h 48m in | US 62

Take the exit onto US 62 toward I 44 West, US 62 West: Lawton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 1A Toward I 44 West, US 62 West: Lawton
7
282.9 mi into trip | ~5h 7m in | US 281 Business

Take the exit onto US 281 Business toward US 281 Business South: Lawton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 39A Toward US 281 Business South: Lawton

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.37 one way

$88.74 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 99 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $48.72 $97.43
premium $4.89 $54.61 $109.23
diesel $5.61 $62.66 $125.32

Estimated Tolls: $4.27

Harry E. Bailey Turnpike (60.9 mi) $4.27

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

$44

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 99.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 85.1 1 $29.80 $13.62
Efficient EV 71 0 $24.83 $11.35
EV Truck/SUV 113.5 1 $39.73 $18.16

Gas CO2

99 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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

Heavener, OK

Evening in Heavener on Saturday

Local time

8:11 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lawton, OK

Evening in Lawton on Saturday

Local time

8:11 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

S 13 to 16 mph 66% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:13PM CDT until April 14 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Norman OK

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 7:01PM 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

9 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

5h 9m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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

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...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour $18 near mile 205.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive offers a mixed experience, with 38% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant 141.2-mile stretch on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, which should provide a consistent pace for a considerable portion of your trip. Expect the road conditions to vary, blending faster highway segments with potentially more local road driving. This means you won't be stuck on one type of road for the entire 5 hours and 9 minutes, offering a dynamic driving experience. The profile suggests a comfortable, yet engaging, drive.

38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 141.2 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 early in the drive near East Avenue D.

Driving Effort 7/10

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 283.8 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 (East Avenue D): Navigation decision point; at 46.5 miles (I 40 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.4 miles (I 240; OK 3 / Southeast Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Heavener, OK to Lawton, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Dallas along the way.

Dallas

189.4 mi in | ~3h 29m | via I 240; OK 3

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 283.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 141.2 miles on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $4.27 in tolls one way, starting with Harry E. Bailey 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 Lawton, 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 (East Avenue D): Navigation decision point; at 46.5 miles (I 40 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.4 miles (I 240; OK 3 / Southeast Expressway): 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lawton, OK before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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