Norman, OK to Nowata, OK is 171.8 miles and takes about 3h 14m via I 44, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Oklahoma. With most of the route on the interstate, it's designed for efficient travel. Plan for a single day to cover the distance comfortably, keeping your focus on reaching your destination without significant detours.
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
85.9 miles from Norman, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
87.7 mi
1h 27m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Expressway
25.7 mi
31m
Skelly Bypass
10.9 mi
13m
US 169
10.1 mi
11m
Helen Cole Memorial Highway
6.6 mi
7m
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
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,488 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,638
Quietest
2 AM
~413 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Norman, OK and Nowata, 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 right at fork onto I 44; OK 66
11 mi·13 min·Skelly Bypass
Toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: JoplinUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·34 sec
Exit 234AToward US 169 North: OwassoUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn slight right
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 234Toward US 169 North: OwassoUse the sharp right lane.
20
Merge onto US 169
4.3 mi·5 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Expressway
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 169
0.9 mi·1 min·Sergeant Jeffrey Lee Drake Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 169
3.0 mi·3 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on US 169
0.9 mi·1 min·Sargeant Anthony Del Mar Peterson Memorial Highway
24
Continue on US 169
1.2 mi·1 min·Sergeant Schuyler B. Patch Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 169
1.6 mi·1 min·Sergeant Andrew R. Looney Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 169
1.0 mi·1 min·Specialist Christopher D. Horton Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on US 169
18 mi·22 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Expressway
Toward OK 20 West, US 169 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on US 169
10 mi·11 min·US 169
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
29
Turn left onto US 169 Alternate
107 ft·4 sec·US 169 Alternate
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on US 169 Alternate
1.9 mi·3 min·US 169 Alternate
Use the left / right lanes.
31
Arrive at destination
US 169 Alternate
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 3h 14m duration, leaving Norman, OK any time in the morning should get you to Nowata, OK with plenty of daylight to spare. The 171.8-mile trip is easily doable in one day, so you have flexibility in your departure time. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially before heading onto the longest stretch of I 44, as services can be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost is $27, so budget accordingly.
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 85.9 miles from Norman, OK, or about 1h 34m 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 38 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.9 miles or 1h 34m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nowata, 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 171.8 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.7 and 127.4 — 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
8
116.5 mi into trip|~2h 5m 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
7
127.4 mi into trip|~2h 18m in
Take the exit toward US 169 North: Owasso
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 234A
Toward US 169 North: Owasso
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.07 one way
$54.14 round trip
$4.00/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$30.15
$60.31
premium
$4.75
$32.14
$64.28
diesel
$5.90
$39.91
$79.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.5
0
$18.04
$8.25
Efficient EV
43
0
$15.03
$6.87
EV Truck/SUV
68.7
0
$24.05
$11.00
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Norman, OK
Morning
in Norman on Saturday
Local time
7:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Sunny
N 22 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 6:22AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 4:48AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Nowata, OK
Morning
in Nowata on Saturday
Local time
7:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Sunny
N 15 to 20 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 6:22AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 4:48AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 14m 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?
This drive is mostly highway, with 74% of the 171.8 miles on interstates and expressways like I 44 and the Pearl Harbor Memorial Expressway. You'll experience a longest stretch of 87.7 miles on I 44 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a significant amount of rural cruising and merging traffic as you navigate between major roads.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 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 Pearl Harbor Memorial Expressway. 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 19 significant decision points across 171.8 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,322 ft601 ft
Total Climb
320 ft
Total Descent
786 ft
Highest Point
1,322 ft
~12.3 mi in
Elevation Range
721 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 Norman, OK to Nowata, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Smith along the way.
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.
Top landmarks
•Norman station — railway station in Norman, Oklahoma, US
•Bavinger House — historic house in Oklahoma, United States
•Ledbetter House — historic house in Oklahoma, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 171.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). 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.
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 Nowata, 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 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 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Nowata, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
