This 172-mile drive from Nowata, OK to Norman, OK will take approximately 3 hours and 13 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike and US 169, this route is a straightforward, highway-focused journey through the Great Plains region of Oklahoma. With a projected fuel cost of around $27, it's an economical option for a single-day trip. You'll encounter one recommended stop along the way, making it easy to break up the drive. This route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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 miles from Nowata, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
86.6 mi
1h 25m
US 169
41.6 mi
49m
Skelly Bypass
11.9 mi
14m
Helen Cole Memorial Highway
6.8 mi
7m
I 35
5.5 mi
6m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
4.5 mi
5m
US 77
3.7 mi
5m
Honorable Hannah Diggs Atkins, Secretary of State, Memorial Highway
2.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
— 86.6 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nowata, OK and Norman, OK.
1
Start on US 169 Alternate
1.9 mi·3 min·Maple Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
2
Continue on US 169 Alternate
107 ft·5 sec·US 169 Alternate
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Continue on US 169
21 mi·25 min·US 169
Use the left / right lanes.
4
Continue on US 169
21 mi·23 min·US 169
Toward US 169 South: OwassoUse the left / straight / right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Oklahoma CityUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 44; OK 66
11 mi·13 min·Skelly Bypass
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 44; OK 66
1.1 mi·1 min·Skelly Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 44
87 mi·1 hr 25 min·Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
Toward I 44 West: Oklahoma CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto I 44
0.5 mi·58 sec·I 44
Toward I 35 South, I 44 West, OK 66 West: Dallas, LawtonUse the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Merge onto I 35; I 44; OK 66
4.2 mi·4 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
0.4 mi·26 sec·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward I 35 South: DallasUse the slight left lane.
12
Continue on I 35
2.9 mi·3 min·Honorable Hannah Diggs Atkins, Secretary of State, Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on I 35
2.5 mi·3 min·Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on I 35; I 40; US 62; US 270
0.9 mi·1 min·Crosstown Expressway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 62
5.5 mi·6 min·I 35; US 62
Toward I 35 South, US 62 West, US 77 South: DallasUse the left lane.
16
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.8 mi·7 min·Helen Cole Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on I 35; US 77
0.5 mi·35 sec·Doctor James E. and Representative Mina M. Hibdon Memorial Highway
18
Take the exit onto US 77
3.7 mi·5 min·US 77
Exit 113Toward US 77 SouthUse the slight left lane.
19
Enter roundabout onto North Flood Avenue
76 ft·1 sec·North Flood Avenue
20
Continue on North Flood Avenue
0.1 mi·23 sec·North Flood Avenue
21
Turn left onto West Robinson Street
0.7 mi·1 min·West Robinson Street
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto North Porter Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·North Porter Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn right onto East Gray Street
464 ft·21 sec·East Gray Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto North Crawford Avenue
403 ft·21 sec·North Crawford Avenue
25
Turn left onto East Main Street
355 ft·12 sec·East Main Street
26
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 3-hour and 13-minute duration, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. You can leave in the morning and arrive by lunchtime, or depart later and reach Norman in the early evening. Planning for one stop is built into the route, so consider timing this break strategically during your longest stretch on the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering the turnpike, as services can be spaced out on major highways.
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 miles from Nowata, OK, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.6 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 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86 miles or 1h 38m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norman, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Nowata, 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 Nowata, OK
This is one driving day of about 172 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Nowata, 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 Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike for about 86.6 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 43.5 and 166.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
43.5 mi into trip|~53m in
Take the exit toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Oklahoma City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Oklahoma City
7
142.5 mi into trip|~2h 34m in|I 44
Take the exit onto I 44 toward I 35 South, I 44 West, OK 66 West: Dallas, Lawton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 35 South, I 44 West, OK 66 West: Dalla...
7
147.1 mi into trip|~2h 40m in|I 35 / World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / World War II Veterans Memorial Highway toward I 35 South: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 South: Dallas
8
153.7 mi into trip|~2h 48m in|I 35; US 62
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 62 toward I 35 South, US 62 West, US 77 South: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 35 South, US 62 West, US 77 South: Dal...
7
166.5 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|US 77
Take the exit onto US 77 toward US 77 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 113
Toward US 77 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.89 one way
$53.78 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.52
$59.05
premium
$4.89
$33.10
$66.20
diesel
$5.61
$37.98
$75.95
Estimated Tolls: $4.33
Turner Turnpike
(86.6 mi)$4.33
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
$27
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.6
0
$18.06
$8.26
Efficient EV
43
0
$15.05
$6.88
EV Truck/SUV
68.8
0
$24.08
$11.01
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Nowata, OK
Night
in Nowata on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Norman, OK
Night
in Norman on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
16 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
3h 13m 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?
Expect a highway-focused drive for 81% of this journey, meaning you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained, high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 86.6 miles on the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike, offering a chance to settle in and cover ground efficiently. While primarily highway, the route incorporates sections of US 169 and the Skelly Bypass, providing a bit of variation. This drive is characterized by its directness, with fewer twists and turns and more emphasis on covering distance.
81% 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: 86.6 mi on Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike and US 169. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43.5 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 172 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 43.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.5 miles (I 44): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.1 miles (I 35 / World War II Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
On the drive from Nowata, OK to Norman, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Lawton 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 172 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m 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 86.6 miles on Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.33 in tolls one way, starting with Turner 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 Norman, 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 43.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.5 miles (I 44): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.1 miles (I 35 / World War II Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Norman, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
