This 83-mile journey from Oklahoma City to Ada, OK, is a straightforward day trip, taking about 1 hour and 39 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate OK 3W and US 177, with a section on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, making it a local drive with frequent turns. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, this route is budget-friendly for a single-day excursion. The drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape. Since there are no designated stops, you have the flexibility to create your own adventure along the way.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.5 miles from Oklahoma City, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
OK 3W
32.4 mi
39m
US 177
19.4 mi
23m
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
16.2 mi
17m
Tinker Diagonal
11.8 mi
13m
Crosstown Expressway
1.3 mi
1m
Centennial Expressway
0.7 mi
<1m
North Robinson Avenue
0.4 mi
1m
Northeast 5th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
OK 3W
— 32.4 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oklahoma City, OK and Ada, OK.
1
Start on North Robinson Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·North Robinson Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto Northwest 5th Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·Northwest 5th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Keep slight left at fork onto Northeast 5th Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·Northeast 5th Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the ramp
66 ft·1 sec
Toward I 235Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 235 South, US 77 SouthUse the straight lane.
6
Merge onto I 235; US 77
0.7 mi·53 sec·Centennial Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 1AToward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichita, Fort SmithUse the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 40; US 270
1.3 mi·1 min·Crosstown Expressway
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40; US 270
12 mi·13 min·Tinker Diagonal
Exit 128Toward I 240 East, US 270 East: Fort SmithUse the slight left lane.
10
Continue on I 40; US 270; OK 3
16 mi·17 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit onto OK 3W; US 270
0.2 mi·29 sec·OK 3W; US 270
Exit 181Toward US 177, OK 3W East, US 270 East: Shawnee, TecumsehUse the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto OK 3W; US 270
0.3 mi·43 sec·OK 3W; US 270
Toward US 177 South, OK 3W East, US 270 East: Shawnee, TecumsehUse the straight lane.
13
Merge onto OK 3W; US 177; US 270
9.4 mi·11 min·OK 3W; US 177; US 270
14
Continue on US 177; OK 3W
16 mi·18 min·US 177; OK 3W
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on OK 3W; OK 59; US 177
2.7 mi·3 min·OK 3W; OK 59; US 177
16
Continue on US 177; OK 59
3.2 mi·4 min·US 177; OK 59
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Continue on OK 3W
8.8 mi·9 min·OK 3W
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on OK 3W
3.9 mi·4 min·OK 3W
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on OK 3W
7.0 mi·9 min·OK 3W
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 39 minute duration and 83-mile distance, this route is perfect for a spontaneous day trip from Oklahoma City to Ada. You have the flexibility to leave whenever you prefer, and with no planned stops, you can easily adjust your pace. The longest stretch without a turn is over 32 miles, so keep an eye on your fuel levels before heading out, especially since the estimated fuel cost is just $13. Pay close attention to road signage for OK 3W and US 177 as you'll be making several turns along the way.
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 41.5 miles from Oklahoma City, OK, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.4 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.5 miles or 49m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ada, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oklahoma City, OK so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Oklahoma City, OK
This is one driving day of about 83 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Oklahoma City, OK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on OK 3W for about 32.4 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 31.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 235 South, US 77 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 235 South, US 77 South
8
1.7 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichita, Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichi...
9
3.2 mi into trip|~5m in|I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal toward I 240 East, US 270 East: Fort Smith
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 128
Toward I 240 East, US 270 East: Fort Smith
8
31.1 mi into trip|~36m in|OK 3W; US 270
Take the exit onto OK 3W; US 270 toward US 177, OK 3W East, US 270 East: Shawnee, Tecumseh
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 181
Toward US 177, OK 3W East, US 270 East: Shawnee...
8
31.4 mi into trip|~37m in|OK 3W; US 270
Keep slight right at fork onto OK 3W; US 270 toward US 177 South, OK 3W East, US 270 East: Shawnee, Tecumseh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 177 South, OK 3W East, US 270 East: S...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.98 one way
$25.95 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$14.25
$28.49
premium
$4.89
$15.97
$31.95
diesel
$5.61
$18.33
$36.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.9
0
$8.71
$3.98
Efficient EV
20.8
0
$7.26
$3.32
EV Truck/SUV
33.2
0
$11.62
$5.31
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Oklahoma City, OK
Morning
in Oklahoma City on Tuesday
Local time
8:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ada, OK
Morning
in Ada on Tuesday
Local time
8:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
19 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 39m 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 turn-heavy local drive for this 83-mile trip, with only 26% of the route on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 32.4 miles on OK 3W. This means you'll be adjusting your speed and direction fairly often, so staying attentive to navigation is key. The road profile suggests a more intimate, less high-speed experience compared to a pure interstate drive, allowing for a closer look at the surrounding Great Plains scenery.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.4 mi on OK 3W.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles (I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Oklahoma City, OK to Ada, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Tecumseh 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.
Top landmarks
•Oklahoma State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Oklahoma
•Oklahoma City National Memorial — memorial in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 83 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.4 miles on OK 3W. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Ada, 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: at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles (I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Oklahoma City National Memorial and Chickasaw National Recreation Area. 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 Ada, OK before heading back.
