Lawton, OK to Arkoma, OK is 263 miles and takes about 4h 38m via Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, and Southeast Expressway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Oklahoma. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, making it a manageable one-day excursion. The route is designed for efficiency, allowing you to reach your destination without extensive planning.
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
131.5 miles from Lawton, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
158.6 mi
2h 41m
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
61.2 mi
1h 2m
Southeast Expressway
13 mi
14m
Will Rogers Expressway
7.7 mi
8m
West Ray Fine Boulevard
5.9 mi
8m
Pioneer Expressway
4.6 mi
4m
Southwest Expressway
3.3 mi
4m
Bill W. Burgess, Junior Highway
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
— 158.6 mi, about 2h 41m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~752 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,016
Quietest
2 AM
~94 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
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 Lawton, OK and Arkoma, OK.
1
Start on Southwest Gore Boulevard
447 ft·13 sec·Southwest Gore Boulevard
2
Turn left onto Northwest 1st Street
183 ft·13 sec·Northwest 1st Street
3
Turn left onto Southwest Gore Boulevard
481 ft·12 sec·Southwest Gore Boulevard
4
Turn right onto US 281 Business
0.5 mi·44 sec·Northwest 2nd Street
5
Take the ramp onto US 281 Business
0.2 mi·28 sec·US 281 Business
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 281 Business
0.4 mi·49 sec·US 281 Business
Toward I 44 East, US 277 North, US 281 North: Oklahoma CityUse the straight lane.
7
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281
2.4 mi·2 min·Bill W. Burgess, Junior Highway
8
Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
4.6 mi·4 min·Pioneer Expressway
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on I 44
61 mi·1 hr 2 min·Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Toward I 44 East: Chickasha, Oklahoma CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 44; US 62
7.7 mi·8 min·Will Rogers Expressway
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 62
0.3 mi·42 sec·US 62
Exit 115Toward I 240 East, US 62 East, OK 3 East: Fort SmithUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 240; US 62; OK 3
3.3 mi·4 min·Southwest Expressway
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on I 240; US 62; OK 3
13 mi·14 min·Southeast Expressway
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on I 40; US 270; OK 3
75 mi·1 hr 17 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on I 40
1.4 mi·1 min·Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
Toward I 40 East: Fort SmithUse the straight lane.
16
Continue on I 40
83 mi·1 hr 24 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 325Toward US 64: Roland, Fort SmithUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto US 64
5.9 mi·8 min·West Ray Fine Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto AR 255
0.2 mi·23 sec·South 5th Street
20
Turn slight left onto AR 255
477 ft·13 sec·Garland Avenue
21
Continue on AR 255
0.1 mi·13 sec·South 6th Street
22
Continue on AR 255
1.6 mi·2 min·Wheeler Avenue
23
Turn right onto South Y Street
0.4 mi·45 sec·South Y Street
24
Turn left onto State Line Road
0.5 mi·50 sec·State Line Road
25
Turn right onto Blocker Avenue
404 ft·9 sec·Blocker Avenue
26
Turn right
63 ft·4 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 38m drive time, starting in the morning allows ample time to reach Arkoma, OK within daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, your pacing will be largely up to you, but consider a break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially before reaching the surface road sections, as services may be more spread out. The fuel cost is estimated at $41, so factor that into your budget. Since this is a single-day trip, flexibility with your departure time is a key advantage.
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 131.5 miles from Lawton, OK, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.6 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 58 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.5 miles or 2h 18m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arkoma, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lawton, 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 Lawton, OK
This is one driving day of about 263 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Lawton, 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 158.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Home stretch
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
$1 to $10
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+14797631047
Taste & See Cafe
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
$10 to $20
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm
+14797557414
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Littlefield Express
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1 mi from route
QuikTrip
2 mi from route
Elmer Thomas Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Lawton, Oklahoma
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+15805813400
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 253.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Northwest 1st Street
Turn left onto Northwest 1st Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Southwest Gore Boulevard
Turn left onto Southwest Gore Boulevard
Navigation decision point
8
0.9 mi into trip|~1m in|US 281 Business
Keep slight right at fork onto US 281 Business toward I 44 East, US 277 North, US 281 North: Oklahoma City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 44 East, US 277 North, US 281 North: O...
8
77.1 mi into trip|~1h 20m in|US 62
Take the exit onto US 62 toward I 240 East, US 62 East, OK 3 East: Fort Smith
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 115
Toward I 240 East, US 62 East, OK 3 East: Fort...
8
253.8 mi into trip|~4h 23m in
Take the exit toward US 64: Roland, Fort Smith
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 325
Toward US 64: Roland, Fort Smith
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.73 one way
$87.45 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$47.63
$95.26
premium
$5.18
$53.67
$107.33
diesel
$5.35
$55.40
$110.79
Estimated Tolls: $4.28
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
(61.2 mi)$4.28
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
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.9
0
$27.62
$12.62
Efficient EV
65.8
0
$23.01
$10.52
EV Truck/SUV
105.2
1
$36.82
$16.83
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Lawton, OK
Afternoon
in Lawton on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 3 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Arkoma, OK
Afternoon
in Arkoma on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph2% 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 38m 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
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 34% of your time on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 158.6 miles along the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. After this, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of your trip. Expect a significant portion of the drive to involve rural cruising with fewer exits.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 158.6 mi on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Northwest 1st Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 263 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.1 miles (Northwest 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Southwest Gore Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (US 281 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 263 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 158.6 miles on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.28 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.
Yes — we found about 35 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 Arkoma, 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 35 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Northwest 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Southwest Gore Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (US 281 Business): 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Arkoma, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
