Traveling from Nowata to Oklahoma City covers 155.5 miles across the Great Plains, typically taking about 2 hours and 51 minutes of driving time. Because this is a relatively straightforward trip, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize US 169 and the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike to navigate between these two points. Budgeting approximately $24 for fuel should keep you covered for the duration of the journey. Since both cities reside within the Great Plains, you can expect a consistent regional landscape throughout your travel. This route offers a practical, efficient path for those looking to reach the state capital from the northeastern part of Oklahoma.
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
77.8 miles from Nowata, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m 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
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
4.5 mi
5m
Honorable Hannah Diggs Atkins, Secretary of State, Memorial Highway
2.9 mi
3m
Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway
2.5 mi
3m
Maple Street
1.9 mi
3m
Crosstown Expressway
1.2 mi
1m
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 Oklahoma City, 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 right at fork onto I 40; US 270
0.4 mi·26 sec·Crosstown Expressway
Exit 126Toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma Health Center, State Capitol, Edmond, AmarilloUse the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·39 sec
Exit 151AToward Oklahoma City BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto Oklahoma City Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Oklahoma City Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto South Edward King Gaylord Boulevard
0.3 mi·41 sec·South Edward King Gaylord Boulevard
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto West Sheridan Avenue
0.2 mi·26 sec·West Sheridan Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto North Robinson Avenue
416 ft·14 sec·North Robinson Avenue
Use the straight lane.
21
Arrive at destination
North Robinson Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 51-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While the route is short enough to drive in one go, you should account for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the 155.5-mile trek. Be mindful that the longest segment of 86.6 miles occurs on the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike, so ensure you have enough fuel before entering that stretch to avoid unnecessary stops. Checking your tire pressure and fluid levels before leaving Nowata is a smart move, as the sustained highway speeds will keep your vehicle working steadily. Use the turnpike signage to navigate transitions between US 169 and the Skelly Bypass to keep your arrival time on track.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77.8 miles from Nowata, OK, or about 1h 30m 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 34 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.8 miles or 1h 30m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oklahoma City, 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 155.5 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 43.5 and 154 — 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
9
153.7 mi into trip|~2h 48m in|I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma Health Center, State Capitol, Edmond, Amarillo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 126
Toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US...
7
154 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward Oklahoma City Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 151A
Toward Oklahoma City Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.31 one way
$48.62 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$26.69
$53.38
premium
$4.89
$29.92
$59.85
diesel
$5.61
$34.33
$68.66
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
$24
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.7
0
$16.33
$7.46
Efficient EV
38.9
0
$13.61
$6.22
EV Truck/SUV
62.2
0
$21.77
$9.95
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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
9:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oklahoma City, OK
Night
in Oklahoma City on Saturday
Local time
9:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
4 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
2h 51m 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 trip is heavily highway-focused, with 83% of your travel occurring on high-speed routes like the Skelly Bypass. You will spend a significant portion of your time behind the wheel on the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the drive at 86.6 miles. Expect a steady, efficient pace that favors momentum over winding local roads or complex navigation. As you transition between these major arteries, the drive maintains a consistent, high-speed personality suited for focused highway cruising. It is the type of journey where you can settle into a comfortable rhythm once you merge onto the main turnpikes.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 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 17 significant decision points across 155.5 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 Oklahoma City, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Lawton along the way.
Oklahoma City is the capital and principal city of the state of Oklahoma in the central Frontier Country region of the state. The sprawling city and its suburbs offer multiple sports venues, museums, regional food, and a mix of Native American and cowboy culture.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 155.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). 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.
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 Oklahoma City, 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Oklahoma City, OK before heading back.
