Midwest City, OK to Buffalo, OK is 180.9 miles and takes about 3h 31m via OK 3, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and US 183, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Oklahoma, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. With nearly half the drive on highways, you'll experience a mix of faster travel and potentially slower surface roads. It's a straightforward, single-day trip for anyone looking to cover this distance efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
90.4 miles from Midwest City, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
OK 3
43.6 mi
49m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
38.5 mi
40m
US 183
27.5 mi
34m
North Broadway Avenue
13.5 mi
14m
Northwest Highway
12.1 mi
13m
West Russworm Street
9.6 mi
11m
42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway
8.4 mi
9m
Crosstown Expressway
5.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
OK 3
— 43.6 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Midwest City, OK and Buffalo, OK.
1
Start on this road
34 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn left
34 ft·8 sec
3
Turn left onto Felix Place
115 ft·12 sec·Felix Place
4
Turn left onto Southeast 15th Street
1.9 mi·3 min·Southeast 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn slight right onto Tinker Diagonal
0.1 mi·15 sec·Tinker Diagonal
6
Continue on this road
526 ft·13 sec·this road
Toward I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma CityUse the straight lane.
7
Merge onto I 40; US 270
2.9 mi·3 min·Tinker Diagonal
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 35; I 40; US 62; US 270
0.9 mi·1 min·Crosstown Expressway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 270
4.7 mi·5 min·Crosstown Expressway
Exit 126Toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma Health Center, State Capitol, Edmond, AmarilloUse the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 40; US 270
39 mi·40 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward I 40 West, US 270 West: AmarilloUse the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 108Toward US 281 Spur North: Geary, WatongaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto US 281 Spur
483 ft·11 sec·US 281 Spur
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
13
Continue on US 281 Spur
4.1 mi·4 min·US 281 Spur
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on OK 8; US 281
4.6 mi·5 min·OK 8; US 281
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on OK 8; US 270; US 281
14 mi·14 min·North Broadway Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on OK 8; US 270; US 281
0.9 mi·54 sec·OK 8; US 270; US 281
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 270; US 281; OK 8
2.0 mi·2 min·South Clarence Nash Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto OK 3; OK 33; US 270; US 281
9.6 mi·11 min·West Russworm Street
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on US 270; US 281; OK 3
1.9 mi·2 min·US 270; US 281; OK 3
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on OK 3; US 270; US 281
9.8 mi·11 min·OK 3; US 270; US 281
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto OK 3; US 270; US 281
0.5 mi·36 sec·OK 3; US 270; US 281
22
Keep slight right at fork onto OK 3; US 270; US 281
0.6 mi·41 sec·OK 3; US 270; US 281
23
Keep slight right at fork onto OK 3; US 270; US 281
0.6 mi·42 sec·OK 3; US 270; US 281
24
Keep slight right at fork onto OK 3; US 270; US 281
0.9 mi·59 sec·OK 3; US 270; US 281
25
Keep slight right at fork onto OK 3; US 270; US 281
0.4 mi·23 sec·OK 3; US 270; US 281
26
Keep slight right at fork onto OK 3; US 270; US 281
0.8 mi·56 sec·OK 3; US 270; US 281
27
Keep slight right at fork onto OK 3; US 270; US 281
4.2 mi·4 min·OK 3; US 270; US 281
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on OK 3; OK 51; US 270; US 281
8.4 mi·9 min·42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on OK 3; OK 51; US 270; US 281
0.7 mi·49 sec·South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on OK 3; US 270
0.4 mi·26 sec·OK 3; US 270
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on OK 3; US 270
1.8 mi·2 min·OK 3; US 270
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
32
Continue on OK 3; US 183; US 270
24 mi·26 min·OK 3; US 183; US 270
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Continue on US 183; US 270; OK 3
7.1 mi·9 min·US 183; US 270; OK 3
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Continue on US 183; US 270; OK 3; OK 34
0.5 mi·1 min·9th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Turn left onto US 183; US 270; US 412; OK 3
2.1 mi·4 min·Oklahoma Avenue
Use the left lane.
36
Take the exit onto US 183; US 270; US 412; OK 3
167 ft·4 sec·US 183; US 270; US 412; OK 3
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Merge onto US 183; US 270; US 412; OK 3
12 mi·13 min·Northwest Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Continue on US 183; US 270; US 412; OK 3
1.6 mi·2 min·US 183; US 270; US 412; OK 3
Use the straight lane.
39
Take the exit onto US 183
11 mi·13 min·US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on US 183
3.4 mi·3 min·US 183
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
41
Continue on US 183
3.9 mi·5 min·US 183
Use the straight / left lanes.
42
Arrive at destination
US 64; US 183
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over three and a half hours, this is a comfortable one-day trip. You can easily depart Midwest City in the morning and arrive in Buffalo by midday. The route has one recommended stop, so plan for a brief break to stretch your legs, perhaps around the halfway point. Given the relatively short distance, you have flexibility if you encounter unexpected delays. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you approach Buffalo, as services might be more spaced out in the Great Plains region.
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 90.4 miles from Midwest City, OK, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.6 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 40 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.4 miles or 1h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buffalo, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Midwest City, 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 Midwest City, OK
This is one driving day of about 180.9 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Midwest City, 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 OK 3 for about 43.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
$10 to $20
mile 142.1
Woodward, Oklahoma
Hours: 11 am–2 pm
+15802905052
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.9 and 146.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
5.9 mi into trip|~9m in|I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma Health Center, State Capitol, Edmond, Amarillo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 126
Toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US...
8
49.1 mi into trip|~55m in
Take the exit toward US 281 Spur North: Geary, Watonga
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 108
Toward US 281 Spur North: Geary, Watonga
6
49.4 mi into trip|~56m in|US 281 Spur
Turn right onto US 281 Spur
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
99.6 mi into trip|~1h 53m in|OK 3; US 270; US 281
Keep slight right at fork onto OK 3; US 270; US 281
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
146.3 mi into trip|~2h 48m in|US 183; US 270; US 412; OK 3 / Oklahoma Avenue
Turn left onto US 183; US 270; US 412; OK 3 / Oklahoma Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.28 one way
$56.56 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$31.05
$62.10
premium
$4.89
$34.81
$69.63
diesel
$5.61
$39.94
$79.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
29 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Homeland - Tesla Supercharger
Oklahoma City, OK
Tesla
16 DCFC
Crest - 23rd St
Oklahoma City, OK
FCN
8 DCFC
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma City, OK
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE
8 DCFC
Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City - Tesla Supercharger
Oklahoma City, OK
Tesla
8 DCFC
Crest - Yukon
Yukon, OK
FCN
8 DCFC
Cherokee Trading Post - Tesla Supercharger (Francis Energy)
Calumet, OK
Tesla
8 DCFC
Gore's Travel Plaza - Tesla Supercharger (Francis Energy)
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.3
0
$18.99
$8.68
Efficient EV
45.2
0
$15.83
$7.24
EV Truck/SUV
72.4
0
$25.33
$11.58
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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 15, 2026
Origin
Midwest City, OK
Night
in Midwest City on Saturday
Local time
11:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Buffalo, OK
Night
in Buffalo on Saturday
Local time
11:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°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
3 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
3h 31m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 about 49% of the 180.9 miles on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 43.6 miles on OK 3. Expect to transition between more open highway cruising and surface roads, as the profile is listed as mixed highway and surface. The frequent highway share suggests periods of faster travel interspersed with sections that may have more local traffic or lower speed limits.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.6 mi on OK 3.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 5.9 miles in near I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 180.9 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 5.9 miles (I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.4 miles (US 281 Spur): Lane positioning matters here.
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 Midwest City, OK to Buffalo, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Watonga along the way.
Watonga
49.1 mi in|~55m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 180.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.6 miles on OK 3. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Buffalo, 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 5.9 miles (I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.4 miles (US 281 Spur): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Buffalo, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
