Origin
Muskogee, OK
Evening in Muskogee on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Muskogee, OK to Altus, OK
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 51m
Distance
270 mi
435 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 38m
★
6 AM
4h 51m
8 AM
5h 18m
10 AM
5h 1m
12 PM
4h 58m
3 PM
5h 2m
5 PM
5h 17m
8 PM
4h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Muskogee, OK
Wikimedia Commons
Altus, OK
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 270-mile drive from Muskogee, Oklahoma, to Altus, Oklahoma, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 51 minutes. You'll navigate local roads like South Main Street, West Hancock Road, and South 32nd Street for the entirety of your journey, as this route has a 0% highway share. Expect a fuel cost of around $41 for this trip. The general feel is a turn-heavy local drive across the Great Plains, offering a straightforward, connected experience between these two Oklahoma communities. Given its manageable duration, it’s a convenient option if you're looking for a direct route without extensive highway travel.
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
135 miles from Muskogee, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway | 98 mi | 1h 39m |
| Harry E. Bailey Turnpike | 60.9 mi | 1h 1m |
| Northwest Rogers Lane | 51.8 mi | 58m |
| South 32nd Street | 20.5 mi | 22m |
| Southeast Expressway | 13.2 mi | 14m |
| Will Rogers Expressway | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| Pioneer Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
| Southwest Expressway | 3.7 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
— 98 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Muskogee, OK and Altus, OK.
1
Start on US 62 Business; US 64 Business
74 ft
·
6 sec
·
West Okmulgee Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 64 Business
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto West Hancock Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Hancock Road
4
Turn left onto US 64; US 69
21 mi
·
22 min
·
South 32nd Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 40
23 mi
·
22 min
·
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 40
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
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
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Southeast Expressway
Toward OK 3 West, I 240 West: Lawton, Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 240; US 62; OK 3
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Southwest Expressway
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit onto US 62
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
US 62
Exit 1A
Toward I 44 West, US 62 West: Lawton
Use the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 44; US 62
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Will Rogers Expressway
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on I 44
61 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Toward I 44 West: Chickasha, Lawton
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Pioneer Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Bill W. Burgess, Junior Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto US 62
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 62
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto US 62
52 mi
·
58 min
·
Northwest Rogers Lane
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 62
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
East Broadway Street
19
Turn right onto US 283; OK 6
97 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Main Street
20
Arrive at destination
US 283; OK 6
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 51-minute drive, departing in the morning is ideal to allow ample time for any unscheduled stops. Since this is a local road journey with no long highway stretches, you might find yourself stopping more frequently in small towns along the way. Budgeting around $41 for fuel is a good estimate for the 270 miles. A key tip for this specific route: pay close attention to local speed limit signs, as they can vary significantly between towns and rural sections. With only one stop recommended, you have flexibility to take breaks as needed, making this a relaxed one-day trip.
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 135 miles from Muskogee, OK, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98 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 59 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135 miles or 2h 23m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altus, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Muskogee, 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 Muskogee, OK
This is one driving day of about 270 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Muskogee, 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 98 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 135 miles from Muskogee, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 140.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 64 Business / South Main Street
Turn right onto US 64 Business / South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
23.3 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City
5
23.9 mi into trip
|
~29m 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 / slight right lanes.
8
123.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m 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
140.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.21 one way
$84.42 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $46.35 | $92.69 |
| premium | $4.89 | $51.96 | $103.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.61 | $119.23 |
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
$42
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81 | 0 | $28.35 | $12.96 |
| Efficient EV | 67.5 | 0 | $23.63 | $10.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108 | 1 | $37.80 | $17.28 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Altus, OK
Evening in Altus on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Shawnee, OK
135 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
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
4h 51m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll be actively steering and navigating through communities rather than cruising on a highway. With a 0% highway share, expect a continuous engagement with local road networks for the full 270 miles. There's no longest uninterrupted stretch noted, suggesting frequent intersections and town passages. The drive will likely feel like a continuous journey through Oklahoma's landscape, offering a more intimate connection with the towns you pass through. Be prepared for a consistent pace that requires attention to turns and local traffic.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98 mi on Vietnam Veteran's 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 early in the drive near US 64 Business / South Main Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
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 270 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: near the start (US 64 Business / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.9 miles (I 40 / Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Muskogee, OK and Altus, OK, road signs point toward Dallas and Lawton.
Dallas
123.4 mi in
|
~2h 10m
|
via I 240; OK 3
Lawton
148.4 mi in
|
~2h 38m
|
via I 44
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 270 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98 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.
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 Altus, 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: near the start (US 64 Business / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.9 miles (I 40 / Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Altus, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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