This 153.3-mile drive from Midwest City, OK to Chelsea, OK will take you approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes, making it a perfectly manageable day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, it's an economical option for exploring the Great Plains region of Oklahoma. The route involves a turn-heavy local drive, so be prepared for frequent adjustments rather than long stretches of highway. You'll be sticking to local roads for the entirety of this journey, with 0% highway share. This trip is best suited for a single day, offering a straightforward journey through the heart of Oklahoma.
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
76.7 miles from Midwest City, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
105.1 mi
1h 46m
Skelly Bypass
14.3 mi
17m
Clem McSpadden Highway
10.2 mi
11m
Admiral Joe "Jocko" Clark Trailways
5.7 mi
6m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
4.6 mi
5m
Honorable Hannah Diggs Atkins, Secretary of State, Memorial Highway
2.9 mi
3m
North Sioux Avenue
1.9 mi
3m
Southeast 15th Street
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 105.1 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Midwest City, OK and Chelsea, 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
1.7 mi·2 min·Tinker Diagonal
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 153Toward I 35 North, US 62 East: Wichita
9
Merge onto I 35; US 62
1.7 mi·2 min·Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35
2.9 mi·3 min·Honorable Hannah Diggs Atkins, Secretary of State, Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 35
4.6 mi·5 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward I 35 North, I 44 East, OK 66 EastUse the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto I 44
88 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 44
Exit 138AToward I 44 East: TulsaUse the slight right lane.
13
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.
14
Continue on I 44; US 412; OK 66
4.3 mi·5 min·I 44; US 412; OK 66
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
13 mi·13 min·I 44
Toward I 44 East: Joplin, ClaremoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 255Toward OK 20: Claremore, Pryor CreekUse the slight right lane.
17
At end of road, turn left onto OK 20
0.3 mi·38 sec·East Will Rogers Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto North Dorothy Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·North Dorothy Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto East 9th Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·East 9th Street
20
At end of road, turn left onto Maiden Lane
359 ft·6 sec·Maiden Lane
21
Continue on CR S4160
1.9 mi·3 min·North Sioux Avenue
22
Turn right onto OK 66; US Historic 66
10 mi·11 min·Clem McSpadden Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on OK 66; US Historic 66
5.7 mi·6 min·Admiral Joe "Jocko" Clark Trailways
24
Continue on OK 66; OK 28; US Historic 66
0.5 mi·57 sec·Walnut Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn left onto OK 28
0.2 mi·33 sec·West 6th Street
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
OK 28
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour 50-minute duration and 153.3-mile distance, you can easily complete this trip to Chelsea, OK in a single day. Consider leaving Midwest City in the morning to enjoy the drive without feeling rushed. With only one planned stop and a manageable fuel cost of $23, you have plenty of flexibility. Pay close attention to your navigation, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be making frequent changes in direction. Ensure your GPS is set correctly before you depart to smoothly navigate Felix Place and other local roads.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.7 miles from Midwest City, OK, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.1 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 34 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.7 miles or 1h 21m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chelsea, 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 153.3 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 I 44 for about 105.1 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.9 and 133.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.9 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward I 35 North, US 62 East: Wichita
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 153
Toward I 35 North, US 62 East: Wichita
7
13.8 mi into trip|~19m in|I 44
Take the exit onto I 44 toward I 44 East: Tulsa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 138A
Toward I 44 East: Tulsa
8
101.5 mi into trip|~1h 46m 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
120 mi into trip|~2h 9m 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
8
133.1 mi into trip|~2h 22m in
Take the exit toward OK 20: Claremore, Pryor Creek
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 255
Toward OK 20: Claremore, Pryor Creek
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.97 one way
$47.93 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$26.31
$52.63
premium
$4.89
$29.50
$59.00
diesel
$5.61
$33.85
$67.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46
0
$16.10
$7.36
Efficient EV
38.3
0
$13.41
$6.13
EV Truck/SUV
61.3
0
$21.46
$9.81
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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 18, 2026
Origin
Midwest City, OK
Night
in Midwest City on Saturday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
N 14 to 18 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 18 at 8:53AM CDT until April 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 8:30AM CDT until April 21 at 5:41PM CDT by NWS Tulsa OK
Destination
Chelsea, OK
Night
in Chelsea on Saturday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°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
8 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
2h 50m 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
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 turn-heavy local drive for the entire 153.3 miles between Midwest City and Chelsea. With no highway segments, this route emphasizes navigating local roads, including Felix Place, Southeast 15th Street, and Tinker Diagonal. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests you'll be making frequent turns and adjustments rather than covering long distances at high speeds. This driving experience will keep you engaged with the immediate surroundings as you traverse the landscape.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.1 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and Skelly Bypass. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.9 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 153.3 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 3.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.8 miles (I 44): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.5 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.
Between Midwest City, OK and Chelsea, OK, road signs point toward Claremore and Pryor Creek.
Claremore
120 mi in|~2h 9m|via I 44
Pryor Creek
133.1 mi in|~2h 22m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 50m. Total distance: 153.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.1 miles on I 44. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Chelsea, 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 3.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.8 miles (I 44): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.5 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Chelsea, OK before heading back.
