Traveling from Lawton to Copeland spans 273.6 miles across the Great Plains, a journey that takes approximately 4 hours and 50 minutes of driving time. Since this route is designed as a highway-focused drive, it is easily manageable as a one-day trip, though you should budget about $42 for fuel to cover the distance. You will rely heavily on major thoroughfares including I-44, the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, and the Will Rogers Expressway to complete the trek. Because both your origin and destination reside within the Great Plains, you can expect a consistent regional landscape throughout your travel. It is a straightforward, practical connection that avoids the complexity of smaller backroads, making it a reliable choice for those prioritizing efficiency over scenic meandering.
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
136.8 miles from Lawton, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
153 mi
2h 34m
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
61.2 mi
1h 2m
Will Rogers Expressway
23.6 mi
28m
Skelly Bypass
14.3 mi
17m
US 59
8.4 mi
11m
Pioneer Expressway
4.6 mi
4m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
4.2 mi
4m
Bill W. Burgess, Junior Highway
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 153 mi, about 2h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lawton, OK and Copeland, 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
16 mi·18 min·Will Rogers Expressway
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
7.7 mi·9 min·Will Rogers Expressway
Toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: TulsaUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 35; I 44; OK 66
4.2 mi·4 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit onto I 44
88 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 44
Exit 138AToward I 44 East: TulsaUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44; OK 66
14 mi·17 min·Skelly Bypass
Toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: JoplinUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 44; US 412; OK 66
4.3 mi·5 min·I 44; US 412; OK 66
Use the straight lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
61 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 44
Toward I 44 East: Joplin, ClaremoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 302Toward US 59, US 60: Fairland, Grove, AftonUse the right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Cash OnlyUse the straight lane.
19
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·20 sec·this road
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward US 59 South, US 60 West, US 69 South: Afton, GroveUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto US 59; US 60; US 69; US Historic 66
0.6 mi·56 sec·US 59; US 60; US 69; US Historic 66
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22
Turn left onto US 59
7.8 mi·10 min·US 59
Toward US 69 South: Grove
23
Turn sharp right onto East 250 Road
303 ft·5 sec·East 250 Road
24
Arrive at destination
East 250 Road
Trip Plan
To keep your drive comfortable, plan for at least one dedicated stop during your 4-hour and 50-minute journey to break up the monotony of the interstate. Since the route is highway-heavy, consider departing early in the morning to avoid peak traffic concentrations often found on major expressways like the Will Rogers Expressway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before entering the longer 153-mile stretch on I-44, as stopping early can save you from needing to refuel in potentially busier areas. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace if you feel fatigue setting in. Prioritize your rest breaks strategically to ensure you stay alert while navigating these high-speed segments.
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 136.8 miles from Lawton, OK, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153 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 60 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.8 miles or 2h 25m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Copeland, 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 273.6 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 I 44 for about 153 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 264.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
85.3 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: Tulsa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: Tulsa
8
184.9 mi into trip|~3h 13m in|I 44; OK 66 / Skelly Bypass
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44; OK 66 / Skelly Bypass toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: Joplin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: Joplin
8
203.4 mi into trip|~3h 36m 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
9
264.9 mi into trip|~4h 38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 59 South, US 60 West, US 69 South: Afton, Grove
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 59 South, US 60 West, US 69 South: Af...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.77 one way
$85.55 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$46.96
$93.93
premium
$4.89
$52.65
$105.30
diesel
$5.61
$60.41
$120.81
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
$43
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.1
1
$28.73
$13.13
Efficient EV
68.4
0
$23.94
$10.94
EV Truck/SUV
109.4
1
$38.30
$17.51
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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 13, 2026
Origin
Lawton, OK
Evening
in Lawton on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Copeland, OK
Evening
in Copeland on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 15 to 20 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 12 at 2:24PM CDT until April 13 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 2:19PM CDT until April 13 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
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
10 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
4h 50m 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?
Expect a highly efficient transit, as 92% of this journey is spent on highways. The road personality is defined by consistent, high-speed travel rather than technical turns, with a significant 153-mile stretch on I-44 serving as the longest uninterrupted portion of your trip. Behind the wheel, you will find the pace remains steady and predictable, allowing you to cover the total 273.6 miles without the need for frequent navigation adjustments. The transition through the turnpike and expressway sections keeps the flow of traffic moving smoothly across the plains. This is a classic interstate grind that favors time-saving road conditions over varied terrain.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 153 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and Harry E. Bailey Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near US 281 Business.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 273.6 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 0.9 miles (US 281 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.3 miles (I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 184.9 miles (I 44; OK 66 / Skelly Bypass): 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 Lawton, OK to Copeland, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Claremore along the way.
Claremore
203.4 mi in|~3h 36m|via I 44
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 50m. Total distance: 273.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 153 miles on I 44. 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.
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 Copeland, 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: at 0.9 miles (US 281 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.3 miles (I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 184.9 miles (I 44; OK 66 / Skelly Bypass): 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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Copeland, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
