Purcell to Stillwater is 96.4 miles and takes about 1 hour 53 minutes via OK 33 and World War II Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Oklahoma, traversing the Great Plains region. It's primarily a surface road experience, making it a straightforward, no-frills trip. If you're looking for a quick connection between these two points without much fuss, this route will get you there efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.2 miles from Purcell, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
OK 33
22.1 mi
25m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
20.1 mi
20m
World War I Veterans Memorial Highway
18.7 mi
21m
South Perkins Road
9 mi
11m
Helen Cole Memorial Highway
6.6 mi
7m
Doctor James E. and Representative Mina M. Hibdon Memorial Highway
5.7 mi
6m
Shannon Miller Parkway
4.1 mi
4m
Honorable Hannah Diggs Atkins, Secretary of State, Memorial Highway
2.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
OK 33
— 22.1 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Purcell, OK and Stillwater, 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
Continue on I 35; US 77
5.3 mi·6 min·World War I Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 62
0.3 mi·25 sec·I 35; US 62
Toward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichita, Fort SmithUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 35; I 40; US 62; US 270
1.0 mi·1 min·Crosstown Expressway
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 62
2.4 mi·2 min·Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway
Toward I 35 North, US 62 East: WichitaUse the slight right lane.
11
Continue on I 35
2.9 mi·3 min·Honorable Hannah Diggs Atkins, Secretary of State, Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on I 35
5.4 mi·5 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward I 35 North, I 44 East, OK 66 EastUse the straight lane.
13
Continue on I 35; OK 66
4.1 mi·4 min·Shannon Miller Parkway
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on I 35; US 77
15 mi·15 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 157Toward OK 33: Guthrie, Perkins, CushingUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto OK 33
0.9 mi·1 min·OK 33
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on OK 33
21 mi·24 min·OK 33
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto US 177
9.0 mi·11 min·South Perkins Road
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto OK 51
0.4 mi·1 min·East 6th Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
OK 51
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just under two hours, this is a perfect same-day trip. You can leave anytime in the morning or afternoon. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps in a town along OK 33. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $15, and topping up before you leave Purcell or upon arrival in Stillwater is a good idea. The flexibility of a shorter drive means you can adjust your timing easily.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.2 miles from Purcell, OK, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.1 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 21 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.2 miles or 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 31m
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 Purcell, OK so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Purcell, OK
This is one driving day of about 96.4 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Purcell, OK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on OK 33 for about 22.1 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.9 and 96 — 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
33.9 mi into trip|~40m in|I 35; US 62
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 62 toward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichita, Fort Smith
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichi...
8
35.1 mi into trip|~42m in|I 35; US 62 / Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 62 / Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway toward I 35 North, US 62 East: Wichita
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35 North, US 62 East: Wichita
8
64.6 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward OK 33: Guthrie, Perkins, Cushing
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 157
Toward OK 33: Guthrie, Perkins, Cushing
6
96 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|OK 51 / East 6th Avenue
Turn left onto OK 51 / East 6th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.07 one way
$30.14 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$16.55
$33.09
premium
$4.89
$18.55
$37.10
diesel
$5.61
$21.28
$42.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.9
0
$10.12
$4.63
Efficient EV
24.1
0
$8.44
$3.86
EV Truck/SUV
38.6
0
$13.50
$6.17
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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
Afternoon
in Purcell on Sunday
Local time
4:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Stillwater, OK
Afternoon
in Stillwater on Sunday
Local time
4:58 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
15 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
1h 53m 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 drive is mostly surface roads, with about 28% on highways. You'll encounter the longest stretch of continuous highway at 22.1 miles on OK 33. Expect to transition from highway cruising to more frequent intersections and traffic signals as you move through towns. The overall feel is one of steady, rural transit rather than high-speed interstate travel.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 22.1 mi on OK 33.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.9 miles in near I 35 / World War I Veterans Memorial Highway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 96.4 miles you will encounter 10 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 33.9 miles (I 35; US 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.1 miles (I 35; US 62 / Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway): 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 Purcell, OK and Stillwater, OK, road signs point toward Fort Smith, Perkins and Cushing.
Fort Smith
33.9 mi in|~40m|via I 35; US 62
Perkins
64.6 mi in|~1h 14m
Cushing
64.6 mi in|~1h 14m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 96.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 22.1 miles on OK 33. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Stillwater, OK before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 33.9 miles (I 35; US 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.1 miles (I 35; US 62 / Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Stillwater, OK before heading back.
