Norman, OK to Barnsdall, OK is 158.9 miles and takes about 3h 6m via I 44 and OK 11, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, moving from central Oklahoma to the northeastern part of the state. It's a straightforward drive primarily on major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. Expect a practical transit focused on covering the 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
79.4 miles from Norman, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
87.7 mi
1h 27m
OK 11
25.2 mi
35m
Helen Cole Memorial Highway
6.6 mi
7m
Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
5.7 mi
7m
North Peoria Avenue East
5.6 mi
9m
World War I Veterans Memorial Highway
5.3 mi
6m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
4.6 mi
5m
North Flood Avenue
3.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 87.7 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norman, OK and Barnsdall, OK.
1
Start on East Main Street
106 ft·10 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn left onto North Porter Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·North Porter Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto East Robinson Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Robinson Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto North Flood Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·North Flood Avenue
5
Enter roundabout onto North Flood Avenue
104 ft·2 sec·North Flood Avenue
6
Continue on North Flood Avenue
3.3 mi·4 min·North Flood Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the ramp onto US 77
0.5 mi·1 min·US 77
Use the straight lane.
8
Merge onto I 35; US 77
0.5 mi·35 sec·Doctor James E. and Representative Mina M. Hibdon Memorial Highway
9
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·Helen Cole Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 35; US 77
5.3 mi·6 min·World War I Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 62
0.3 mi·25 sec·I 35; US 62
Toward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichita, Fort SmithUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 35; I 40; US 62; US 270
1.0 mi·1 min·Crosstown Expressway
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 62
2.4 mi·2 min·Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway
Toward I 35 North, US 62 East: WichitaUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 35
2.9 mi·3 min·Honorable Hannah Diggs Atkins, Secretary of State, Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
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.
16
Take the exit onto I 44
88 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 44
Exit 138AToward I 44 East: TulsaUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 244
5.7 mi·7 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
Exit 223AToward I 244 East, OK 344 North: Tulsa, Sand SpringsUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto CR LL
3.4 mi·4 min·L. L. Tisdale Parkway
Exit 5CToward CR LL North: L. L. Tisdale ParkwayUse the straight / slight left lanes.
19
At end of road, turn right onto West 36th Street North
0.3 mi·42 sec·West 36th Street North
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto North Martin Luther King, Junior Boulevard East
1.1 mi·1 min·North Martin Luther King, Junior Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto East 46th Street North
1.0 mi·1 min·East 46th Street North
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn left onto OK 11
5.6 mi·9 min·North Peoria Avenue East
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on OK 11
0.5 mi·46 sec·OK 11
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on OK 11
11 mi·15 min·OK 11
Use the straight / sharp left lanes.
25
Continue on OK 11
12 mi·17 min·OK 11
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on OK 11
1.1 mi·2 min·OK 11
Use the straight lane.
27
Arrive at destination
5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour drive time, leaving in the morning is ideal for maximizing daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your trip. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $25 and the longest stretch without services could be substantial. Since this is a single-day trip, you can easily adjust your departure time based on your schedule. Consider filling up before you leave Norman to ensure a smooth transit.
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 79.4 miles from Norman, OK, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.7 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 35 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.4 miles or 1h 28m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barnsdall, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Norman, 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 Norman, OK
This is one driving day of about 158.9 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Norman, 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 87.7 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 17.7 and 122.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
17.7 mi into trip|~24m in|I 35; US 62
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 62 toward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichita, Fort Smith
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichi...
8
19 mi into trip|~26m in|I 35; US 62 / Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 62 / Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway toward I 35 North, US 62 East: Wichita
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35 North, US 62 East: Wichita
7
28.8 mi into trip|~37m 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
9
116.5 mi into trip|~2h 5m in|I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway toward I 244 East, OK 344 North: Tulsa, Sand Springs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 223A
Toward I 244 East, OK 344 North: Tulsa, Sand Sp...
7
122.2 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|CR LL / L. L. Tisdale Parkway
Take the exit onto CR LL / L. L. Tisdale Parkway toward CR LL North: L. L. Tisdale Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 5C
Toward CR LL North: L. L. Tisdale Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.84 one way
$49.68 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.28
$54.55
premium
$4.89
$30.58
$61.16
diesel
$5.61
$35.08
$70.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.7
0
$16.68
$7.63
Efficient EV
39.7
0
$13.90
$6.36
EV Truck/SUV
63.6
0
$22.25
$10.17
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Norman, OK
Late night
in Norman on Tuesday
Local time
4:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Barnsdall, OK
Late night
in Barnsdall on Tuesday
Local time
4:28 AM
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
2 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 6m 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?
This route is 78% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on interstate and major state roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 87.7 miles on I 44. You'll transition from predominantly highway driving to surface roads as you approach your destination. Expect a consistent cruising experience with relatively few exits for a significant portion of the drive.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.7 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and OK 11. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.7 miles in near I 35; US 62.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 158.9 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 17.7 miles (I 35; US 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19 miles (I 35; US 62 / Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.8 miles (I 44): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Between Norman, OK and Barnsdall, OK, road signs point toward Fort Smith and Sand Springs.
Norman is a city in the Frontier Country region of Oklahoma and in Cleveland County. With a population of 128,000 (2020), it is the third largest city in the state and is home to the University of Oklahoma (popularly known as OU), the state's largest and flagship university.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 158.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.7 miles on I 44. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Barnsdall, 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.7 miles (I 35; US 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19 miles (I 35; US 62 / Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.8 miles (I 44): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Oklahoma City National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Barnsdall, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
