Poteau, OK to Midwest City, OK is 184.8 miles and takes about 3h 22m via Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway and US 59, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive through Oklahoma. Expect a journey that feels more like navigating local roads than a high-speed interstate cruise, making it a manageable one-day excursion. Plan for a few turns along the way as you make your way to your destination.
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
92.4 miles from Poteau, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
141.2 mi
2h 23m
US 59
24.6 mi
32m
Broadway
5.4 mi
6m
Tinker Diagonal
5.2 mi
5m
North Broadway Street
2.4 mi
4m
Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
1.5 mi
1m
Southeast 15th Street
1.5 mi
2m
South Douglas Boulevard
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
— 141.2 mi, about 2h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Poteau, OK and Midwest City, OK.
1
Start on Dewey Avenue
56 ft·8 sec·Dewey Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 59 Business; US 271 Business
114 ft·4 sec·South Broadway Street
3
Turn right onto Beard Avenue
0.4 mi·36 sec·Beard Avenue
4
Turn right onto Paul Mathies Drive
0.9 mi·1 min·Paul Mathies Drive
5
Continue on Circle Drive
0.1 mi·17 sec·Circle Drive
6
Turn left onto US 59 Business; US 271 Business
2.4 mi·4 min·North Broadway Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 59; US 271
7.7 mi·11 min·US 59; US 271
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 59; US 271
2.2 mi·3 min·US 59; US 271
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 59; US 271
319 ft·7 sec·US 59; US 271
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left onto OK 9; US 59
5.4 mi·6 min·Broadway
Use the straight / left lanes.
11
Continue on US 59
15 mi·17 min·US 59
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto I 40 Business
0.3 mi·35 sec·I 40 Business
Toward I 40 West: Oklahoma CityUse the left lane.
13
Merge onto I 40
66 mi·1 hr 6 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 40
1.5 mi·1 min·Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on I 40
75 mi·1 hr 16 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40; US 270
5.2 mi·5 min·Tinker Diagonal
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 159B
18
Keep slight right at fork
375 ft·9 sec
19
Turn straight onto South Douglas Boulevard
1.1 mi·2 min·South Douglas Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Southeast 15th Street
1.5 mi·2 min·Southeast 15th Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left onto Felix Place
115 ft·7 sec·Felix Place
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right
34 ft·4 sec
23
Turn right
34 ft·2 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 22m estimated drive time, starting your journey in the morning from Poteau, OK, will allow ample daylight to reach Midwest City, OK. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $29, this is a very manageable one-day trip. The "turn-heavy local drive" profile suggests paying close attention to navigation, especially as you get closer to your destination. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as stretches between services might be longer on the local road segments compared to major highways.
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 92.4 miles from Poteau, OK, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141.2 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 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.4 miles or 1h 45m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Midwest City, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Poteau, 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 Poteau, OK
This is one driving day of about 184.8 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Poteau, 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 Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway for about 141.2 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 184.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 59 Business; US 271 Business / South Broadway Street
Turn left onto US 59 Business; US 271 Business / South Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
6
1.4 mi into trip|~2m in|US 59 Business; US 271 Business / North Broadway Street
Turn left onto US 59 Business; US 271 Business / North Broadway Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
33.8 mi into trip|~46m 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
6
176.7 mi into trip|~3h 11m in|I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
184.8 mi into trip|~3h 22m in|Felix Place
Turn left onto Felix Place
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.89 one way
$57.78 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$31.72
$63.44
premium
$4.89
$35.56
$71.13
diesel
$5.61
$40.80
$81.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.4
0
$19.40
$8.87
Efficient EV
46.2
0
$16.17
$7.39
EV Truck/SUV
73.9
0
$25.87
$11.83
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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 15, 2026
Origin
Poteau, OK
Night
in Poteau on Saturday
Local time
11:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Midwest City, OK
Night
in Midwest City on Saturday
Local time
11:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Eufaula, OK
92 mi in
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
16 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
3h 22m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
$18
near mile 184.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a "turn-heavy local drive," with only about 13% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a mix of road types as you travel, so be prepared for varying speeds and conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 141.2 miles on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, offering a significant period of consistent travel before the local roads begin to dominate. This means you'll likely be making several turns and navigating through more populated areas as you approach Midwest City.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 141.2 mi on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 59 Business; US 271 Business / South Broadway Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 184.8 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (US 59 Business; US 271 Business / South Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (US 59 Business; US 271 Business / North Broadway Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 33.8 miles (I 40 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 184.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 141.2 miles on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Midwest 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. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 59 Business; US 271 Business / South Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (US 59 Business; US 271 Business / North Broadway Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 33.8 miles (I 40 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Oklahoma City National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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 Midwest City, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
