This 164.9-mile journey from Purcell to Muskogee, Oklahoma, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 58 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway and US 69, with a portion also on the World War I Veterans Memorial Highway. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $26. As both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, expect a consistent landscape throughout your drive. This route offers a practical option for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your timing.
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
82.5 miles from Purcell, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
98.6 mi
1h 40m
US 69
20.9 mi
22m
World War I Veterans Memorial Highway
13.4 mi
14m
Southeast Expressway
11.6 mi
12m
Helen Cole Memorial Highway
6.6 mi
7m
Doctor James E. and Representative Mina M. Hibdon Memorial Highway
5.7 mi
6m
North Green Avenue
1.9 mi
2m
US 64 Business
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
— 98.6 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Purcell, OK and Muskogee, OK.
1
Start on OK 39; US 77
0.3 mi·28 sec·West Washington Street
2
Turn right onto OK 74
1.9 mi·2 min·North Green Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
4
Merge onto I 35
13 mi·14 min·World War I Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 35
5.7 mi·6 min·Doctor James E. and Representative Mina M. Hibdon Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·Helen Cole Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 121Toward I 240 East, OK 3: Fort SmithUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 240; OK 3
12 mi·12 min·Southeast Expressway
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on I 40; US 270; OK 3
75 mi·1 hr 17 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 40
1.4 mi·1 min·Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
Toward I 40 East: Fort SmithUse the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 40
23 mi·23 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 264BToward US 69 North: MuskogeeUse the sharp right lane.
13
Merge onto US 69
21 mi·22 min·US 69
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto West Hancock Road
1.0 mi·2 min·West Hancock Road
15
Turn left onto US 64 Business
1.7 mi·3 min·US 64 Business
16
Turn left onto US 62 Business; US 64 Business
74 ft·2 sec·West Okmulgee Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
US 62 Business; US 64 Business
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under 3 hours, this trip offers plenty of flexibility for when you choose to depart. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Muskogee and still have the afternoon to explore. Given the relatively short distance and the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route, plan for your single recommended stop strategically to break up the drive and refuel if necessary, keeping the $26 fuel cost in mind. Pay close attention to your navigation, especially as you transition between the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, US 69, and the World War I Veterans Memorial Highway, to ensure you stay on track.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 82.5 miles from Purcell, OK, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.6 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 36 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.5 miles or 1h 30m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Muskogee, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Purcell, 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 Purcell, OK
This is one driving day of about 164.9 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Purcell, 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 98.6 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.9 and 141.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.9 mi into trip|~4m in|I 35 / World War I Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 35 / World War I Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
28.7 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the exit toward I 240 East, OK 3: Fort Smith
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 121
Toward I 240 East, OK 3: Fort Smith
5
29.3 mi into trip|~35m in|I 240; OK 3 / Southeast Expressway
Merge onto I 240; OK 3 / Southeast Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
141 mi into trip|~2h 29m in
Take the exit toward US 69 North: Muskogee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the sharp right lane.
Exit 264B
Toward US 69 North: Muskogee
5
141.3 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|US 69
Merge onto US 69
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.78 one way
$51.56 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.31
$56.61
premium
$4.89
$31.73
$63.47
diesel
$5.61
$36.41
$72.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.5
0
$17.31
$7.92
Efficient EV
41.2
0
$14.43
$6.60
EV Truck/SUV
66
0
$23.09
$10.55
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Purcell, OK
Night
in Purcell on Saturday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Muskogee, OK
Night
in Muskogee on Saturday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
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
2h 58m 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?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting you'll encounter more frequent changes in direction rather than a steady, monotonous interstate experience. While 21% of the drive is on highways, a significant portion involves navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 98.6 miles on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel before transitioning to more varied road conditions. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires attention to navigation.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.6 mi on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.9 miles in near I 35 / World War I Veterans Memorial Highway.
Driving Effort5/10
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 164.9 miles you will encounter 9 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 2.9 miles (I 35 / World War I Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.3 miles (I 240; OK 3 / Southeast Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 58m. Total distance: 164.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (21%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.6 miles on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.9 miles (I 35 / World War I Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.3 miles (I 240; OK 3 / Southeast Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Oklahoma City National Memorial. 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 Muskogee, OK before heading back.
