This 251.2-mile drive from Muldrow, OK to Lawton, OK will take approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes, making it a feasible single-day trip. You'll navigate primarily via the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, and Southeast Expressway, with 37% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $39. As you travel within the Great Plains region of Oklahoma, expect a mixed driving experience. This route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
125.6 miles from Muldrow, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
154.3 mi
2h 37m
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
60.9 mi
1h 1m
Southeast Expressway
13.2 mi
14m
Will Rogers Expressway
7.6 mi
8m
Pioneer Expressway
5 mi
5m
Southwest Expressway
3.7 mi
4m
Bill W. Burgess, Junior Highway
2.5 mi
2m
Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
1.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
— 154.3 mi, about 2h 37m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~752 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,016
Quietest
2 AM
~94 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Muldrow, OK and Lawton, OK.
1
Start on OK 64B
0.8 mi·1 min·South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 40 West: Oklahoma CityUse the straight / right lanes.
3
Merge onto I 40
79 mi·1 hr 20 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on I 40
1.5 mi·1 min·Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on I 40
75 mi·1 hr 16 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 240; OK 3
13 mi·14 min·Southeast Expressway
Toward OK 3 West, I 240 West: Lawton, DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 240; US 62; OK 3
3.7 mi·4 min·Southwest Expressway
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit onto US 62
0.6 mi·41 sec·US 62
Exit 1AToward I 44 West, US 62 West: LawtonUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 44; US 62
7.6 mi·8 min·Will Rogers Expressway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 44
61 mi·1 hr 1 min·Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Toward I 44 West: Chickasha, LawtonUse the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
5.0 mi·5 min·Pioneer Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
2.5 mi·2 min·Bill W. Burgess, Junior Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto US 281 Business
0.9 mi·1 min·US 281 Business
Exit 39AToward US 281 Business South: LawtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto Southwest Gore Boulevard
38 ft·0 sec·Southwest Gore Boulevard
15
Arrive at destination
Southwest Gore Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 20-minute drive time, starting your journey in the morning from Muldrow, OK, allows ample time to reach Lawton, OK, without feeling rushed. You'll have one recommended stop along the way, which is a good opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel. With a fuel cost estimated at $39, it's wise to ensure your tank is full before departing. Pay attention to the transition points between the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, and Southeast Expressway, as these can indicate changes in speed limits and road conditions.
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 125.6 miles from Muldrow, OK, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 154.3 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 55 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.6 miles or 2h 8m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lawton, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Muldrow, 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 Muldrow, OK
This is one driving day of about 251.2 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Muldrow, 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 Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway for about 154.3 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 250.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City
5
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|I 40 / Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 40 / Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
156.8 mi into trip|~2h 40m 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
173.7 mi into trip|~2h 59m in|US 62
Take the exit onto US 62 toward I 44 West, US 62 West: Lawton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 44 West, US 62 West: Lawton
7
250.2 mi into trip|~4h 19m in|US 281 Business
Take the exit onto US 281 Business toward US 281 Business South: Lawton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 39A
Toward US 281 Business South: Lawton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.10 one way
$74.19 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$40.95
$81.91
premium
$4.72
$46.64
$93.28
diesel
$4.80
$47.43
$94.86
Estimated Tolls: $4.27
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
(60.9 mi)$4.27
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
$37
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: 87.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.4
0
$26.38
$12.06
Efficient EV
62.8
0
$21.98
$10.05
EV Truck/SUV
100.5
1
$35.17
$16.08
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Muldrow, OK
Night
in Muldrow on Saturday
Local time
9:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
S 0 to 5 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lawton, OK
Night
in Lawton on Saturday
Local time
9:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 6 to 13 mph22% chanceLive forecast
99°F
Davenport, OK
126 mi in
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
4h 20m 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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
$18
near mile 173.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed driving experience, blending faster highway stretches with other road types. You'll spend 37% of your time on highways, encountering a longest uninterrupted stretch of 154.3 miles on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. The character of the drive shifts as you progress, moving from what's primarily the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway onto other key arteries like the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike and Southeast Expressway. Expect a dynamic feel behind the wheel, not a monotonous interstate cruise.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 154.3 mi on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 251.2 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (I 40 / Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.8 miles (I 240; OK 3 / Southeast Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,349 ft490 ft
Total Climb
1,052 ft
Total Descent
450 ft
Highest Point
1,349 ft
~233.2 mi in
Elevation Range
859 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 Muldrow, OK to Lawton, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Dallas along the way.
Dallas
156.8 mi in|~2h 40m|via I 240; OK 3
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 251.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 154.3 miles on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.27 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 33 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 Lawton, 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 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (I 40 / Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.8 miles (I 240; OK 3 / Southeast 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Lawton, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
