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Trip from Panama, OK to Stillwater, OK

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 24m

Distance

187.9 mi

302 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Good

5 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 12m ★
6 AM
3h 24m
8 AM
3h 49m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 30m
3 PM
3h 34m
5 PM
3h 47m
8 PM
3h 17m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Panama, OK, OK

Panama, OK

Kelly

Downtown Stillwater, OK, OK

Stillwater, OK

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 187.9-mile drive from Panama, OK to Stillwater, OK is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 24 minutes. You'll spend about 78% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing the Muskogee Turnpike, Cimarron Turnpike, and Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $29. Given its relatively short duration and highway focus, this route is perfect for a spontaneous road trip or a planned day excursion. Both your starting point and destination are situated within Oklahoma's Great Plains region, offering a consistent regional experience throughout your travel.

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

94 miles from Panama, OK

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Muskogee Turnpike 55.7 mi 54m
Cimarron Turnpike 31 mi 29m
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway 21.1 mi 21m
US 59 16.9 mi 21m
Sand Springs Expressway 14.5 mi 16m
Broken Arrow Expressway 11.7 mi 14m
Keystone Expressway 8.7 mi 9m
Cimarron Turnpike Spur 6.9 mi 7m
Longest stretch: Muskogee Turnpike — 55.7 mi, about 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Panama, OK and Stillwater, OK.

1

Start on Main Street

62 ft · 3 sec · Main Street
2

Turn right onto US 59; US 271

2.6 mi · 3 min · Kentucky Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
3

Continue on US 59; US 271

2.2 mi · 3 min · US 59; US 271
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Continue on US 59; US 271

319 ft · 7 sec · US 59; US 271
Use the straight lane.
5

Turn left onto OK 9; US 59

5.4 mi · 6 min · Broadway
Use the straight / left lanes.
6

Continue on US 59

15 mi · 17 min · US 59
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Take the exit onto I 40 Business

0.3 mi · 35 sec · I 40 Business
Toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City Use the left lane.
8

Merge onto I 40

21 mi · 21 min · Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

400 ft · 5 sec
Exit 286 Toward OK 351: Muskogee, Tulsa Use the slight right lane.
10

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 24 sec · this road
11

Continue on OK 351

14 mi · 14 min · Muskogee Turnpike
12

Keep slight right at fork onto OK 351

41 mi · 39 min · Muskogee Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on OK 51

3.4 mi · 3 min · Disabled American Veterans Highway
Use the straight lane.
14

Continue on OK 51

380 ft · 5 sec · Representative David Brumbaugh Memorial Bridge
15

Continue on OK 51

12 mi · 14 min · Broken Arrow Expressway
Use the straight lane.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto US 64; OK 51

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Inner Dispersal Loop
Toward OK 51 West, US 64 West, I 244 East: Sand Springs, Joplin Use the straight lane.
17

Merge onto I 244; US 64; OK 51

0.5 mi · 41 sec · Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
18

Take the exit onto US 64; OK 51

0.3 mi · 43 sec · 42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway
Exit 5B Toward US 64 West, US 412 West, OK 51 West: Sand Springs Use the left lane.
19

Merge onto US 64; US 412; OK 51

14 mi · 16 min · Sand Springs Expressway
Use the straight lane.
20

Continue on US 64; US 412

3.6 mi · 3 min · Keystone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
21

Continue on US 64; US 412

1.2 mi · 1 min · Jerald Warden Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
22

Continue on US 64; US 412

5.1 mi · 5 min · Keystone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
23

Continue on US 412

31 mi · 29 min · Cimarron Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight right at fork onto Cimarron Turnpike Spur

6.9 mi · 7 min · Cimarron Turnpike Spur
Exit 27 Toward OK 312 West: Stillwater Use the right lane.
25

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 21A Toward Perkins Rd.
26

At end of road, turn left onto North Perkins Road

6.2 mi · 10 min · North Perkins Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
27

Turn right onto OK 51

0.4 mi · 1 min · East 6th Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
28

Arrive at destination

OK 51

Trip Plan

With a total duration of just over three hours, this route offers plenty of flexibility. You could depart in the morning and arrive in Stillwater by lunchtime, or head out in the afternoon to enjoy your destination in the evening. Consider leaving Panama, OK before the morning rush hour to maximize your time on the road. The longest stretch without a required exit is 55.7 miles on the Muskogee Turnpike, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. With only one recommended stop, you can easily adjust your breaks based on your needs.

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 94 miles from Panama, OK, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.7 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 41 miles or 48m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 94 miles or 1h 40m 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 46m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stillwater, OK than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Panama, 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 Panama, OK

This is one driving day of about 187.9 miles and 3h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Panama, 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 Muskogee Turnpike for about 55.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Oklahoma, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Broken Arrow, OK

94 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

Sallisaw, OK

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Broken Arrow, OK

Meal break

The midpoint is around 94 miles from Panama, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Da Vinci's Italian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Stillwater, Oklahoma

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 187.9

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14053720300

Visit website

Sandwich Planet

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Stillwater, Oklahoma

2.3 mi

Da Vinci's Italian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 187.9

Stillwater, Oklahoma

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14053720300

Visit website

Sandwich Planet

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 187.9

Stillwater, Oklahoma

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+14055331237

Visit website

El Toro Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 26.8

Sallisaw, Oklahoma

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+19187740700

Visit website

Burger Barn

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 40.3

Webbers Falls, Oklahoma

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+19184642890

Visit website

Francis Energy Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 187.9

Stillwater, Oklahoma

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18004891588

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 187.9

Stillwater, Oklahoma

+18004891588

Visit website

Francis Energy Charging Station

2.9 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 120.8

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18004891588

Visit website

Francis Energy Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 120.8

Sand Springs, Oklahoma

+18004891588

Visit website

Francis Energy Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 120.8

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18004891588

Visit website

Tulsa Botanic Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 120.8

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19182890330

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 25 and 174.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
25 mi into trip | ~31m in | I 40 Business

Take the exit onto I 40 Business toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City
8
46.3 mi into trip | ~53m in

Take the exit toward OK 351: Muskogee, Tulsa

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 286 Toward OK 351: Muskogee, Tulsa
8
117.7 mi into trip | ~2h 7m in | US 64; OK 51 / Inner Dispersal Loop

Keep slight right at fork onto US 64; OK 51 / Inner Dispersal Loop toward OK 51 West, US 64 West, I 244 East: Sand Springs, Joplin

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward OK 51 West, US 64 West, I 244 East: Sand...
8
118.5 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in | US 64; OK 51 / 42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway

Take the exit onto US 64; OK 51 / 42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway toward US 64 West, US 412 West, OK 51 West: Sand Springs

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Exit 5B Toward US 64 West, US 412 West, OK 51 West: San...
8
174.2 mi into trip | ~3h 5m in | Cimarron Turnpike Spur

Keep slight right at fork onto Cimarron Turnpike Spur toward OK 312 West: Stillwater

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 27 Toward OK 312 West: Stillwater

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.38 one way

$58.75 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $32.25 $64.51
premium $4.89 $36.16 $72.32
diesel $5.61 $41.49 $82.97

Estimated Tolls: $5.79

Muskogee Turnpike (55.7 mi) $3.90
Cimarron Turnpike (37.9 mi) $1.89

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

$29

Tolls

$6

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 56.4 0 $19.73 $9.02
Efficient EV 47 0 $16.44 $7.52
EV Truck/SUV 75.2 0 $26.31 $12.03

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 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

Panama, OK

Night in Panama on Saturday

Local time

9:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Stillwater, OK

Night in Stillwater on Saturday

Local time

9:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

56°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

1 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 24m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 78% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 55.7 miles on the Muskogee Turnpike, offering a good opportunity to settle in. While largely a high-speed experience, the transition between the Muskogee Turnpike and the Cimarron Turnpike will provide a slight change in scenery and road character. This journey is designed for efficient travel rather than winding scenic exploration, making it a straightforward drive.

78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.7 mi on Muskogee Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Muskogee Turnpike and Cimarron Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25 miles in near I 40 Business.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 14 significant decision points across 187.9 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 25 miles (I 40 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.7 miles (US 64; OK 51 / Inner Dispersal Loop): 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.

Between Panama, OK and Stillwater, OK, road signs point toward Tulsa and Joplin.

Tulsa

46.3 mi in | ~53m

Joplin

117.7 mi in | ~2h 7m | via US 64; OK 51

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 187.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 55.7 miles on Muskogee Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $5.79 in tolls one way, starting with Muskogee 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 Stillwater, 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 25 miles (I 40 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.7 miles (US 64; OK 51 / Inner Dispersal Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Stillwater, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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