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Trip from McAlester, OK to Moore, OK

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 18m

Distance

131.4 mi

211 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 9m ★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 13m

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

city in Oklahoma, United States

McAlester, OK

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Moore, OK, OK

Moore, OK

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 131.4-mile drive from McAlester, OK to Moore, OK, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 18 minutes. You'll primarily be navigating the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, Indian Nation Turnpike, and Southeast Expressway. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Great Plains region of Oklahoma. The mixed drive profile suggests a varied experience on the road, making it a practical option for a quick transit between these two points. Plan for a comfortable day trip without the need for an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

65.7 miles from McAlester, OK

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway 75.3 mi 1h 16m
Indian Nation Turnpike 34.6 mi 32m
Southeast Expressway 12.3 mi 13m
Trooper David ‘Rocky’ Eales Memorial Highway 3.5 mi 5m
Helen Cole Memorial Highway 1.7 mi 2m
East Carl Albert Parkway 0.9 mi 1m
North Interstate Highway 35 Frontage Road 0.8 mi 1m
West Service Road 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway — 75.3 mi, about 1h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between McAlester, OK and Moore, OK.

1

Start on US 69 Business

16 ft · 4 sec · North Main Street
2

Turn right onto US 270; OK 1; OK 31

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Carl Albert Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Continue on US 270; OK 1

3.5 mi · 5 min · Trooper David ‘Rocky’ Eales Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward Indian Nation Turnpike Northbound Use the right lane.
5

Merge onto OK 375

35 mi · 32 min · Indian Nation Turnpike
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward I 40 West, US 62 West, US 75 South: Oklahoma City Use the sharp right lane.
7

Merge onto I 40

198 ft · 2 sec · Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
8

Continue on I 40

75 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 240; OK 3

12 mi · 13 min · Southeast Expressway
Toward OK 3 West, I 240 West: Lawton, Dallas Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 4A Toward I 35 South, US 77 South: Dallas Use the right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Use the straight lane.
12

Merge onto I 35; US 77

0.1 mi · 8 sec · World War I Veterans Memorial Highway
13

Continue on I 35; US 77

1.7 mi · 2 min · Helen Cole Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
14

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Exit 118 Toward North 12th Street, Main Street, North 5th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Turn straight onto North Interstate Highway 35 Frontage Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Interstate Highway 35 Frontage Road
16

Continue on West Service Road

489 ft · 9 sec · West Service Road
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
17

Continue on North Moore Avenue

0.3 mi · 30 sec · North Moore Avenue
18

Continue on West Service Road

0.4 mi · 44 sec · West Service Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
19

Turn left onto West Main Street

0.3 mi · 37 sec · West Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
20

Turn left onto North Broadway Street

486 ft · 15 sec · North Broadway Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
21

Arrive at destination

North Broadway Street

Trip Plan

For this 131.4-mile trip, departing in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. Since the drive is just over two hours, you won't need to split it, and there are no specific stops noted, so you can decide on breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 75.3-mile stretch on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. The estimated fuel cost is $21, so factor that into your budget. This route is straightforward, making it ideal for a spontaneous drive or a planned quick journey.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 65.7 miles from McAlester, OK, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.3 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 29 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 65.7 miles or 1h 7m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 50m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving McAlester, 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 McAlester, OK

This is one driving day of about 131.4 miles and 2h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from McAlester, OK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway for about 75.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Okemah, OK, OK

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Okemah, OK

66 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

Henryetta, OK

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Okemah, OK

Meal break

The midpoint is around 65.7 miles from McAlester, 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 75.3 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 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 39.2 and 129.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
39.2 mi into trip | ~40m in

Take the exit toward I 40 West, US 62 West, US 75 South: Oklahoma City

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

Use the sharp right lane. Toward I 40 West, US 62 West, US 75 South: Okla...
8
114.8 mi into trip | ~1h 57m 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
127.1 mi into trip | ~2h 11m in

Take the exit toward I 35 South, US 77 South: Dallas

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

Use the right lane. Exit 4A Toward I 35 South, US 77 South: Dallas
7
127.3 mi into trip | ~2h 11m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
129.3 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in

Take the exit toward North 12th Street, Main Street, North 5th Street

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 118 Toward North 12th Street, Main Street, North 5t...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.54 one way

$41.09 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 46 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $22.56 $45.11
premium $4.89 $25.29 $50.57
diesel $5.61 $29.01 $58.02

Estimated Tolls: $2.42

Indian Nation Turnpike (34.6 mi) $2.42

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

$21

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 46 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 39.4 0 $13.80 $6.31
Efficient EV 32.9 0 $11.50 $5.26
EV Truck/SUV 52.6 0 $18.40 $8.41

Gas CO2

46 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (67% 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 Apr 17, 2026

Origin

McAlester, OK

Late night in McAlester on Tuesday

Local time

5:48 AM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Moore, OK

Late night in Moore on Tuesday

Local time

5:48 AM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Partly Cloudy

S 14 mph 9% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 12:40AM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Norman OK

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 11:33PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM 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

11 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

2h 18m 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.

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 ~14 min detour $18 near mile 126.9
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

The character of this drive is best described as a mixed experience, with 37% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 75.3 miles along the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, offering a chance for steady progress. As you transition between the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, Indian Nation Turnpike, and Southeast Expressway, anticipate changes in road type and speed. This route isn't a monotonous interstate grind but rather a blend that keeps the driving experience engaging.

37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.3 mi on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 39.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 131.4 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 39.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.8 miles (I 240; OK 3 / Southeast Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 McAlester, OK to Moore, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Dallas along the way.

Dallas

114.8 mi in | ~1h 57m | via I 240; OK 3

About the Cities

Starting in McAlester, OK

Full guide →

McAlester is in the Choctaw Country region of Oklahoma and home to the Oklahoma State Penitentiary.

Arriving in Moore, OK

Full guide →

Founded 1889

Moore is in the Frontier Country region of Oklahoma and a suburb of Oklahoma City.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 131.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (37%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 75.3 miles on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $2.42 in tolls one way, starting with Indian Nation 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.

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 Moore, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 39.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.8 miles (I 240; OK 3 / Southeast Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Moore, OK before heading back.

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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