QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Norman, OK to Salina, OK
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 17m
Distance
173.9 mi
280 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 5m
★
6 AM
3h 17m
8 AM
3h 41m
10 AM
3h 25m
12 PM
3h 23m
3 PM
3h 27m
5 PM
3h 40m
8 PM
3h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Norman, OK
Wikimedia Commons
Salina, OK
Julia Volk
Trip Overview
Norman, OK to Salina, OK is 173.9 miles and takes about 3h 17m via I 44 and OK 20, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Oklahoma. With a highway share of 70%, expect a good portion of your travel time to be on interstate or major highways, making for a relatively quick trip. This is an ideal one-day drive, perfect for getting you to your destination efficiently without requiring an overnight stop.
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
86.9 miles from Norman, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 44 | 105.1 mi | 1h 46m |
| OK 20 | 15.5 mi | 21m |
| Skelly Bypass | 14.3 mi | 17m |
| East Will Rogers Boulevard | 9.4 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
— 105.1 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,632 veh/hr typical · worst 5,373
Quietest
2 AM
~406 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Norman, OK and Salina, 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 Smith
Use 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: Wichita
Use 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 East
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit onto I 44
88 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
I 44
Exit 138A
Toward I 44 East: Tulsa
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44; OK 66
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Skelly Bypass
Toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: Joplin
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 44; US 412; OK 66
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
I 44; US 412; OK 66
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
13 mi
·
13 min
·
I 44
Toward I 44 East: Joplin, Claremore
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 255
Toward OK 20: Claremore, Pryor Creek
Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn slight right
284 ft
·
7 sec
Toward OK 20 East: Pryor Creek
22
Turn right onto OK 20
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
East Will Rogers Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
23
Continue on OK 20
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
OK 20
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on OK 20
14 mi
·
20 min
·
OK 20
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn right onto South Cherokee Avenue
12 ft
·
0 sec
·
South Cherokee Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
26
Arrive at destination
South Cherokee Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 17m duration, starting your drive in Norman, OK, in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. The 173.9-mile route has a fuel cost estimated at $31, so ensure your tank is full before departing to avoid unnecessary stops. While there's only one recommended stop, the longest stretch is over 100 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly. If you encounter unexpected delays, the relatively short distance means you can easily adjust your schedule without needing to book accommodation.
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 86.9 miles from Norman, OK, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.1 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 86.9 miles or 1h 35m 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 Salina, 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 173.9 miles and 3h 17m.
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 105.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.9 miles from Norman, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 44 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Checker's Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
Stroud Services
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Chandler Services
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 17.7 and 148.1 — 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
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
8
135 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m in
|
I 44
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 toward I 44 East: Joplin, Claremore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 44 East: Joplin, Claremore
8
148.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward OK 20: Claremore, Pryor Creek
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 255
Toward OK 20: Claremore, Pryor Creek
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.91 one way
$57.83 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $31.49 | $62.99 |
| premium | $5.18 | $35.49 | $70.97 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $36.63 | $73.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.2 | 0 | $18.26 | $8.35 |
| Efficient EV | 43.5 | 0 | $15.22 | $6.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.6 | 0 | $24.35 | $11.13 |
Gas CO2
61 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.
Origin
Norman, OK
Afternoon in Norman on Wednesday
Local time
4:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Partly Cloudy
ESE 3 to 8 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Salina, OK
Afternoon in Salina on Wednesday
Local time
4:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph
0% chance
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 17m 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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
$18
near mile 18
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 70% of this 173.9-mile trip on highways, with the longest continuous stretch being 105.1 miles on I 44. After leaving the interstate, you'll transition to OK 20 and the Skelly Bypass, which will feel more like surface road cruising. Expect a noticeable change in traffic density and exit frequency as you move from the interstate to these state highways.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.1 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 20. 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 Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 173.9 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 116.5 miles (I 44; OK 66 / Skelly Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,297 ft
592 ft
Total Climb
316 ft
Total Descent
852 ft
Highest Point
1,297 ft
~12.4 mi in
Elevation Range
705 ft
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 Salina, OK, road signs point toward Fort Smith, Claremore and Pryor Creek.
Fort Smith
17.7 mi in
|
~24m
|
via I 35; US 62
Claremore
135 mi in
|
~2h 28m
|
via I 44
Pryor Creek
148.1 mi in
|
~2h 41m
About the Cities
Starting in Norman, OK
Full guide →Founded 1889
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
Arriving in Salina, OK
Full guide →Salina is a town in Green Country Oklahoma. It was founded in 1796 and is the oldest permanent settlement in Oklahoma. The name was given due to the salt wells in the local area. It is quite hilly in the area and is located at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains.
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 3h 17m. Total distance: 173.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.1 miles on I 44. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 Salina, 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 12 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 116.5 miles (I 44; OK 66 / Skelly Bypass): 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 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Salina, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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