Origin
Norman, OK
Late night in Norman on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Norman, OK to Central High, OK
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
78.2 mi
126 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 55m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Norman, OK
Wikimedia Commons
Central High, OK
Jerson Martins
Trip Overview
This 78.2-mile drive from Norman, OK to Central High, OK is a solid 1-hour-and-40-minute journey that's perfect for a single day trip. With no highway driving, you'll be sticking to local roads like North Porter Avenue, East Gray Street, and North Flood Avenue. Budget around $12 for fuel for this relatively short excursion. The entire route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent feel throughout. Given its manageable length and the turn-heavy nature, this trip is best enjoyed without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.1 miles from Norman, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 81 | 30.9 mi | 39m |
| Harry E. Bailey Turnpike | 18.3 mi | 17m |
| Harry E. Bailey Turnpike Spur | 8.3 mi | 7m |
| OK 7 | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| Southeast 44th Street | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| Central High Road | 2 mi | 7m |
| West Main Street | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| World War I Veterans Memorial Highway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 81
— 30.9 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norman, OK and Central High, OK.
1
Start on East Main Street
106 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn left onto North Porter Avenue
389 ft
·
15 sec
·
North Porter Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto East Gray Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East Gray Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Turn left onto North Flood Avenue
315 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Flood Avenue
5
Turn right onto West Main Street
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
West Main Street
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 35
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
·
Doctor James E. and Representative Mina M. Hibdon Memorial Highway
8
Continue on I 35
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
World War I Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto OK 9; I 35
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
McCall Bridge
10
Continue on OK 9; I 35
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
World War I Veterans Memorial Highway
11
Take the exit onto OK 9
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
OK 9
Exit 106
Toward OK 9 West: Chickasha
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
13
Keep slight right at fork
320 ft
·
7 sec
14
Continue on OK 9
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Southeast 44th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on OK 4 Toll
8.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike Spur
Toward Henry E. Bailey Turnpike Spur West: Tuttle, Mustang
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 44 West: Lawton
Use the sharp right lane.
17
Merge onto I 44
18 mi
·
17 min
·
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 80
Toward US 81, US 277: Duncan, Chickasha
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto US 81; US 277
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 81; US 277
Toward US 81 South, US 277 South: Duncan
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 81
19 mi
·
24 min
·
US 81
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
21
Turn right
0.8 mi
·
1 min
22
Continue on OK 7
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
OK 7
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn right onto Central High Road
2.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Central High Road
24
Turn left onto Blackburn Road
141 ft
·
6 sec
·
Blackburn Road
25
Arrive at destination
Blackburn Road
Trip Plan
Since this drive is just 78.2 miles and takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes, you have plenty of flexibility. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and allow for a relaxed start. With no designated stops, plan to refuel before you depart Norman, OK, as the $12 fuel cost suggests a straightforward trip without extensive detours. Pay close attention to signage, especially on the local roads like North Porter Avenue and East Gray Street, as the 'turn-heavy' profile means you'll be making frequent adjustments to stay on course to Central High, OK.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.1 miles from Norman, OK, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.9 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 17 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.1 miles or 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Central High, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Norman, OK
This is one driving day of about 78.2 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Norman, OK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 81 for about 30.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.1 miles from Norman, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 175 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 38 — 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
|
North Porter Avenue
Turn left onto North Porter Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
West Main Street
Turn right onto West Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
5.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
OK 9
Take the exit onto OK 9 toward OK 9 West: Chickasha
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 106
Toward OK 9 West: Chickasha
6
19.5 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward I 44 West: Lawton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the sharp right lane.
Toward I 44 West: Lawton
8
38 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit toward US 81, US 277: Duncan, Chickasha
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 80
Toward US 81, US 277: Duncan, Chickasha
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.23 one way
$24.45 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.42 | $26.85 |
| premium | $4.89 | $15.05 | $30.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.27 | $34.53 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.86
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
(18.3 mi)
$1.28
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike Spur
(8.3 mi)
$0.58
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
$12
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.5 | 0 | $8.21 | $3.75 |
| Efficient EV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.84 | $3.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.3 | 0 | $10.95 | $5.00 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
Central High, OK
Late night in Central High on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°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
15 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
1h 40m 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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
$18
near mile 2.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 78.2-mile trip, with zero highway share. This means you'll be navigating a more intimate route, likely experiencing frequent turns and changes in road conditions as you move through towns and rural areas. The absence of long highway stretches means a more engaged driving experience, requiring constant attention to navigation and local traffic patterns. Without a longest uninterrupted stretch listed, it's safe to assume you'll be making regular adjustments throughout the 1 hour and 40-minute journey.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.9 mi on US 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 81 and Harry E. Bailey Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Porter Avenue.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.2 miles you will encounter 17 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: near the start (North Porter Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (West Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles (OK 9): 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.
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 Central High, OK, road signs point toward Henry E. Bailey Turnpike Spur West: Tuttle, Mustang and Chickasha.
Henry E. Bailey Turnpike Spur West: Tuttle
11.2 mi in
|
~18m
|
via OK 4 Toll
Mustang
11.2 mi in
|
~18m
|
via OK 4 Toll
Chickasha
38 mi in
|
~44m
About the Cities
Starting in Norman, OK
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 78.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 30.9 miles on US 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.86 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.
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 Central High, OK before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Porter Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (West Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles (OK 9): 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Central High, OK before heading back.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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