This 251.8-mile journey from Oklahoma City to Broken Bow, OK, will take you about 4 hours and 27 minutes of driving time. With a fuel cost estimated at $38, this drive is designed as a single-day trip, though you'll want to plan for one stop along the way. The route primarily uses local roads, offering a more hands-on driving experience. You'll be traversing the Great Plains for the entirety of this trip, staying within Oklahoma. This drive is best suited for those who prefer a more involved connection with the road rather than a high-speed interstate cruise.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
125.9 miles from Oklahoma City, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Indian Nation Turnpike
104.1 mi
1h 44m
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
75.1 mi
1h 16m
Jake Pulliam Bypass
30.1 mi
34m
US 70
15 mi
17m
Tinker Diagonal
11.8 mi
13m
Representative Rusty Farley Memorial Highway
6.6 mi
8m
Washington Street
4 mi
4m
Northeast Lincoln Road
1.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Indian Nation Turnpike
— 104.1 mi, about 1h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oklahoma City, OK and Broken Bow, 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
75 mi·1 hr 16 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 240AToward Indian Nation Turnpike South: McAlester, DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto OK 375
104 mi·1 hr 44 min·Indian Nation Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 70; US 70; US 271
30 mi·34 min·Jake Pulliam Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 70
15 mi·17 min·US 70
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto US 70
4.0 mi·4 min·Washington Street
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70
294 ft·8 sec·US 70
17
Turn left onto OK 3; US 70; US 259
1.4 mi·1 min·Northeast Lincoln Road
18
Continue on US 70; US 259; OK 3
6.6 mi·8 min·Representative Rusty Farley Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto West 3rd Street
145 ft·6 sec·West 3rd Street
20
Arrive at destination
West 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 27-minute duration, leaving Oklahoma City in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Broken Bow with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, plan this break strategically to maximize your driving efficiency. The fuel cost is a manageable $38, so ensure your tank is full before you depart. Since this is a local, turn-heavy drive, pay close attention to your navigation, especially when transitioning between Northwest 5th Street, Northeast 5th Street, and I-235, to avoid unexpected detours.
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 125.9 miles from Oklahoma City, OK, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.1 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 55 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.9 miles or 2h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Broken Bow, 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.
+
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 Oklahoma City, OK
This is one driving day of about 251.8 miles and 4h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Oklahoma City, 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 Indian Nation Turnpike for about 104.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 90.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|Northeast 5th Street
Keep slight left at fork onto Northeast 5th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
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
90.1 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward Indian Nation Turnpike South: McAlester, Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 240A
Toward Indian Nation Turnpike South: McAlester,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.37 one way
$78.73 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$43.22
$86.44
premium
$4.89
$48.46
$96.91
diesel
$5.61
$55.59
$111.19
Estimated Tolls: $7.29
Indian Nation Turnpike
(104.1 mi)$7.29
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
$39
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.5
0
$26.44
$12.09
Efficient EV
63
0
$22.03
$10.07
EV Truck/SUV
100.7
1
$35.25
$16.12
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Oklahoma City, OK
Evening
in Oklahoma City on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 18 to 22 mph45% chanceLive forecast
Tornado Watch
Tornado Watch issued April 17 at 1:40PM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Tulsa OK
Tornado Watch
Tornado Watch issued April 17 at 1:40PM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Destination
Broken Bow, OK
Evening
in Broken Bow on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Partly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Tornado Watch
Tornado Watch issued April 17 at 1:40PM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Tulsa OK
Tornado Watch
Tornado Watch issued April 17 at 1:40PM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
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
3 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
4h 27m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 on this route, with 0% highway share. Northwest 5th Street and Northeast 5th Street are key to navigating the initial and final portions of your trip, with I-235 also part of the journey. The absence of long highway stretches means you'll be actively engaged with the road, making frequent adjustments. This driving profile suggests a route where you'll be more aware of your surroundings and the nuances of local traffic patterns throughout the 4-hour-plus journey.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.1 mi on Indian Nation Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Northeast 5th Street.
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 13 significant decision points across 251.8 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 0.6 miles (Northeast 5th Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Oklahoma City, OK and Broken Bow, OK, road signs point toward Indian Nation Turnpike South: Mcalester and Dallas.
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 4h 27m. Total distance: 251.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.1 miles on Indian Nation Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.29 in tolls one way, starting with Indian Nation 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 Broken Bow, 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 0.6 miles (Northeast 5th Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Yes — Oklahoma City National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Broken Bow, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
