Lawton, OK to Pawhuska, OK is 231.5 miles and takes about 4h 13m via World War II Veterans Memorial Highway and Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward path across Oklahoma. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface roads, making it a manageable one-day trip if you're looking for a direct route between these two points. Plan for a relatively efficient drive with a predictable fuel cost.
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
115.7 miles from Lawton, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
77.1 mi
1h 17m
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
61.2 mi
1h 2m
US 60
38 mi
45m
Will Rogers Expressway
23.6 mi
28m
West South Avenue
18.8 mi
22m
Pioneer Expressway
4.6 mi
4m
Shannon Miller Parkway
4.1 mi
4m
Bill W. Burgess, Junior Highway
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
— 77.1 mi, about 1h 17m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,634 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,052
Quietest
2 AM
~130 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Pawhuska, 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
5.1 mi·5 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on I 35; OK 66
4.1 mi·4 min·Shannon Miller Parkway
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on I 35; US 77
72 mi·1 hr 12 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 214Toward US 60: Tonkawa, Ponca CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto US 60
19 mi·22 min·West South Avenue
Toward US 60 East: Tonkawa, Ponca CityUse the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 60
1.0 mi·1 min·US 60
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
18
Continue on US 60
5.8 mi·6 min·US 60
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 60
31 mi·37 min·US 60
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Kihekah Avenue
193 ft·5 sec·Kihekah Avenue
21
Continue on Kihekah Avenue
0.3 mi·37 sec·Kihekah Avenue
22
Turn right onto East 9th Street
246 ft·15 sec·East 9th Street
23
Turn left onto Leahy Avenue
268 ft·11 sec·Leahy Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Leahy Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 13m drive, aim to depart Lawton in the morning to allow ample daylight for your 231.5-mile trip to Pawhuska. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $36, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to surface roads, as services might be more spaced out. The longest stretch without a planned stop is 77.1 miles, so plan accordingly for any breaks before you hit that point.
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 115.7 miles from Lawton, OK, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.1 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 51 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.7 miles or 2h 5m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pawhuska, 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 231.5 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 World War II Veterans Memorial Highway for about 77.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 174.3 — 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
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
174.1 mi into trip|~3h 3m in
Take the exit toward US 60: Tonkawa, 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 214
Toward US 60: Tonkawa, Ponca City
7
174.3 mi into trip|~3h 4m in|US 60 / West South Avenue
Turn right onto US 60 / West South Avenue toward US 60 East: Tonkawa, Ponca City
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Toward US 60 East: Tonkawa, Ponca City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.47 one way
$72.95 round trip
$4.00/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$40.63
$81.26
premium
$4.75
$43.31
$86.62
diesel
$5.90
$53.77
$107.55
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
$36
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.5
0
$24.31
$11.11
Efficient EV
57.9
0
$20.26
$9.26
EV Truck/SUV
92.6
1
$32.41
$14.82
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Lawton, OK
Morning
in Lawton on Saturday
Local time
7:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Sunny
N 18 to 24 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 6:22AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 4:48AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Pawhuska, OK
Morning
in Pawhuska on Saturday
Local time
7:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live 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
1 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 13m 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?
About 57% of this 231.5-mile route is on highways, with the longest continuous stretch on the World War II Veterans Memorial Highway measuring 77.1 miles. You'll transition from highway cruising to surface roads for parts of the drive. Expect a mix of faster highway speeds and more rural cruising as you navigate between Lawton and Pawhuska. The change from highway to surface roads will be noticeable as you proceed.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.1 mi on World War II Veterans 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 around 0.1 miles in near Northwest 1st 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 13 significant decision points across 231.5 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 0.1 miles (Northwest 1st Street): 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; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,349 ft813 ft
Total Climb
515 ft
Total Descent
811 ft
Highest Point
1,349 ft
~16.5 mi in
Elevation Range
536 ft
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 Pawhuska, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Ponca City along the way.
Pawhuska is a city of 3,400 people (2019) in the Green Country region of Oklahoma. It is a good base for visiting the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve and its buffalo herds, plus it serves as the base for the Osage tribal government and is allegedly where the first Boy Scout troop started.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 13m. Total distance: 231.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.1 miles on World War II Veterans 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 32 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 Pawhuska, 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 32 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 0.9 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.
Yes — Oklahoma City National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Pawhuska, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
