Shawnee, OK to Clinton, OK is 122.3 miles and takes about 2h 16m via Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward journey across Oklahoma. Expect a route with a higher proportion of local road driving compared to pure highway travel, making it a more hands-on experience. It's a short enough trip to complete comfortably in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.1 miles from Shawnee, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
75.4 mi
1h 18m
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
15.9 mi
17m
Tinker Diagonal
12.3 mi
14m
Crosstown Expressway
5.6 mi
6m
US 177
5 mi
5m
Senator Ed Berrong Memorial Highway
2.6 mi
2m
I 40 Business
2.6 mi
4m
OK 3W
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
— 75.4 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shawnee, OK and Clinton, OK.
1
Start on West Main Street
139 ft·7 sec·West Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 270 Business
0.4 mi·1 min·South Beard Street
3
Turn right onto OK 18; US 270 Business
0.8 mi·1 min·West Farrall Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
5
Merge onto US 177; US 270
5.0 mi·5 min·US 177; US 270
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto OK 3W; US 270
0.3 mi·35 sec·OK 3W; US 270
Toward OK 3E East, OK 3 West, I 40, US 270: Oklahoma City, Fort SmithUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto OK 3W; US 270
0.7 mi·1 min·OK 3W; US 270
Toward OK 3 West, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma CityUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 40; US 270; OK 3
16 mi·17 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40; US 270
12 mi·14 min·Tinker Diagonal
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35; I 40; US 62; US 270
0.9 mi·1 min·Crosstown Expressway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 270
4.7 mi·5 min·Crosstown Expressway
Exit 126Toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma Health Center, State Capitol, Edmond, AmarilloUse the straight lane.
12
Continue on I 40; US 270
65 mi·1 hr 7 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward I 40 West, US 270 West: AmarilloUse the straight lane.
13
Continue on I 40
2.6 mi·2 min·Senator Ed Berrong Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 40
11 mi·11 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto I 40 Business
2.6 mi·4 min·I 40 Business
Exit 69Toward I 40 Business West: ClintonUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on I 40 Business; US Historic 66
0.3 mi·44 sec·West Gary Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto North 6th Street
68 ft·1 sec·North 6th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Arrive at destination
North 6th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 16m estimated drive time and a fuel cost around $19, this is an ideal same-day trip from Shawnee to Clinton. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to complete the drive without feeling rushed. Pay close attention to the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route; keeping your GPS active and being mindful of upcoming turns will be crucial. The longest stretch without a major turn is over 75 miles, so plan for fuel and any brief stops before you embark on that segment to ensure a smooth journey.
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 61.1 miles from Shawnee, OK, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.4 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 27 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.1 miles or 1h 10m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Shawnee, 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 Shawnee, OK
This is one driving day of about 122.3 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Shawnee, OK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for about 75.4 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.6 and 119.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
6.6 mi into trip|~9m in|OK 3W; US 270
Take the exit onto OK 3W; US 270 toward OK 3E East, OK 3 West, I 40, US 270: Oklahoma City, 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.
Toward OK 3E East, OK 3 West, I 40, US 270: Okl...
8
6.9 mi into trip|~10m in|OK 3W; US 270
Keep slight left at fork onto OK 3W; US 270 toward OK 3 West, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward OK 3 West, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklah...
6
23.5 mi into trip|~28m 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.
9
36.6 mi into trip|~44m in|I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma Health Center, State Capitol, Edmond, Amarillo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 126
Toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US...
7
119.3 mi into trip|~2h 11m in|I 40 Business
Take the exit onto I 40 Business toward I 40 Business West: Clinton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 69
Toward I 40 Business West: Clinton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.12 one way
$38.24 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.99
$41.99
premium
$4.89
$23.54
$47.07
diesel
$5.61
$27.00
$54.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.7
0
$12.84
$5.87
Efficient EV
30.6
0
$10.70
$4.89
EV Truck/SUV
48.9
0
$17.12
$7.83
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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 18, 2026
Origin
Shawnee, OK
Night
in Shawnee on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
N 18 mph83% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 3:20AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 3:11AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Clinton, OK
Night
in Clinton on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Clear
N 21 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 3:20AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 3:11AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
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
5 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
2h 16m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll encounter numerous intersections and changes in direction. While about 11% of the route utilizes highways like the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway and the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, the majority involves navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 75.4 miles on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. This blend suggests a drive that requires consistent attention to navigation, moving from faster highway sections to more involved local street driving.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.4 mi on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 6.6 miles in near OK 3W; US 270.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 122.3 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 6.6 miles (OK 3W; US 270): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.9 miles (OK 3W; US 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.5 miles (I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Shawnee, OK and Clinton, OK, road signs point toward Fort Smith, State Capitol, Edmond and Amarillo.
Shawnee is in the Frontier Country region of Oklahoma.
While normally not on the sight-seeing itinerary of those who do not know someone already living there, Shawnee could prove to be an interesting day trip.
Shawnee is known for its numerous Native American casinos, maybe lesser-so that it is where Brad Pitt and Jim Thorpe hailed from or the origin of Sonic restaurants.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 16m. Total distance: 122.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.4 miles on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Clinton, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.6 miles (OK 3W; US 270): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.9 miles (OK 3W; US 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.5 miles (I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Clinton, OK before heading back.
