Origin
Ponca City, OK
Late night in Ponca City on Sunday
Local time
5:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ponca City, OK to Lawton, OK
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
189.7 mi
305 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 13m
★
6 AM
3h 25m
8 AM
3h 49m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 31m
3 PM
3h 35m
5 PM
3h 48m
8 PM
3h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ponca City, OK
Kelly
Lawton, OK
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 189.7-mile drive from Ponca City, OK to Lawton, OK is a straightforward, single-day journey taking about 3 hours and 24 minutes. You'll primarily travel on major roadways, including the World War II Veterans Memorial Highway and the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, with a highway share of 57%. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $30, making it an economical option. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, suggesting a consistent landscape throughout your travel. This route is perfectly suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
94.9 miles from Ponca City, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| World War II Veterans Memorial Highway | 77 mi | 1h 17m |
| Harry E. Bailey Turnpike | 60.9 mi | 1h 1m |
| Will Rogers Expressway | 23.5 mi | 28m |
| US 60 | 12.2 mi | 13m |
| Pioneer Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
| Shannon Miller Parkway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Bill W. Burgess, Junior Highway | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| US 60 Business | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
— 77 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ponca City, OK and Lawton, OK.
1
Start on West Broadway Avenue
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
West Broadway Avenue
2
Turn left onto North Oak Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Oak Street
3
Turn right onto US 60 Business
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
West Grand Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 60 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Waverly Street
5
Turn right onto US 60 Business
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
US 60 Business
6
Turn straight onto US 60; US 77; US 177
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US 60; US 77; US 177
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Merge onto I 35
72 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35; US 77
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Shannon Miller Parkway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 35; OK 66
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44; OK 66
16 mi
·
19 min
·
Will Rogers Expressway
Exit 133
Toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Lawton, Amarillo
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
7.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Will Rogers Expressway
Toward I 44 West, US 62 West: Lawton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 44
61 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Toward I 44 West: Chickasha, Lawton
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Pioneer Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Bill W. Burgess, Junior Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto US 281 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 281 Business
Exit 39A
Toward US 281 Business South: Lawton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto Southwest Gore Boulevard
38 ft
·
0 sec
·
Southwest Gore Boulevard
18
Arrive at destination
Southwest Gore Boulevard
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under 3.5 hours, this trip from Ponca City to Lawton offers great flexibility; you can leave anytime that suits you. Given the relatively short distance and minimal stops recommended (just one), you won't need to plan for extensive breaks. Pay attention to your fuel levels, especially before heading onto the longer 77-mile stretch on the World War II Veterans Memorial Highway, as services can be spaced out. The $30 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always good to have a little extra buffer.
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 94.9 miles from Ponca City, OK, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77 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 42 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.9 miles or 1h 42m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lawton, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ponca 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 Ponca City, OK
This is one driving day of about 189.7 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Ponca 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 World War II Veterans Memorial Highway for about 77 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 94.9 miles from Ponca City, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before World War II Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 188.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Oak Street
Turn left onto North Oak Street
Navigation decision point
5
15.5 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
96.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
I 44; OK 66 / Will Rogers Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44; OK 66 / Will Rogers Expressway toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Lawton, Amarillo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 133
Toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Lawton, Amarillo
8
112.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
|
I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway toward I 44 West, US 62 West: Lawton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 44 West, US 62 West: Lawton
7
188.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
|
US 281 Business
Take the exit onto US 281 Business toward US 281 Business South: Lawton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 39A
Toward US 281 Business South: Lawton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.66 one way
$59.31 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.56 | $65.13 |
| premium | $4.89 | $36.51 | $73.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.88 | $83.77 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.27
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
(60.9 mi)
$4.27
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
$30
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.4 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 | 56.9 | 0 | $19.92 | $9.11 |
| Efficient EV | 47.4 | 0 | $16.60 | $7.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.9 | 0 | $26.56 | $12.14 |
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.
Destination
Lawton, OK
Late night in Lawton on Sunday
Local time
5:12 AM
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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 mixed drive on this route, with 57% of your journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 77 miles along the World War II Veterans Memorial Highway, offering a solid period of consistent travel. While the turnpike sections provide efficient transit, the overall feel is a blend of faster highway segments and potentially some local road transitions. The drive generally maintains a steady pace, making it easy to cover ground without significant delays.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77 mi on World War II Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Oak Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 189.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.1 miles (North Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 15.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 96.9 miles (I 44; OK 66 / Will Rogers Expressway): 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.
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 Ponca City, OK to Lawton, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Amarillo along the way.
Amarillo
96.9 mi in
|
~1h 44m
|
via I 44; OK 66
About the Cities
Arriving in Lawton, OK
Full guide →Lawton is in the Great Plains Country region of southwest Oklahoma.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 189.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77 miles on World War II Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.27 in tolls one way, starting with Harry E. Bailey 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 Lawton, 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 0.1 miles (North Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 15.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 96.9 miles (I 44; OK 66 / Will Rogers Expressway): 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 Lawton, 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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