Traveling from Stillwater to Altus covers 200.7 miles across the Oklahoma Great Plains, a journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. Because this is a manageable distance, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $30 for fuel to complete the trek. The route relies on a combination of transit paths, including the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, Northwest Rogers Lane, and the Will Rogers Expressway. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, the trip offers a straightforward trajectory through the heart of the state.
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
100.4 miles from Stillwater, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
60.9 mi
1h 1m
Northwest Rogers Lane
51.8 mi
58m
Will Rogers Expressway
23.5 mi
28m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
19.5 mi
20m
Sammy Davis, Junior Drive
11.6 mi
13m
Jennifer Lea Briggs and Heather Wilson Memorial Highway
10.3 mi
11m
South Perkins Road
8.9 mi
11m
Pioneer Expressway
5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
— 60.9 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stillwater, OK and Altus, OK.
1
Start on OK 51
0.4 mi·1 min·East 6th Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto US 177
8.9 mi·11 min·South Perkins Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn right
0.1 mi·16 sec
4
Turn right onto OK 33; CR EW71
10 mi·11 min·Jennifer Lea Briggs and Heather Wilson Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on OK 33
0.3 mi·23 sec·Newt Sexton Memorial Bridge
6
Continue on OK 33
12 mi·13 min·Sammy Davis, Junior Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 35
15 mi·14 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 133Toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Lawton, AmarilloUse 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: LawtonUse 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, LawtonUse 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
1.2 mi·1 min·Bill W. Burgess, Junior Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto US 62
0.3 mi·43 sec·US 62
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto US 62
52 mi·58 min·Northwest Rogers Lane
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 62
2.3 mi·5 min·East Broadway Street
19
Turn right onto US 283; OK 6
97 ft·2 sec·North Main Street
20
Arrive at destination
US 283; OK 6
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 45-minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route requires a fuel budget of roughly $30, check your tank levels before hitting the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike to avoid unnecessary stops during that 60.9-mile stretch. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day traffic near the expressway sections. Because the total duration is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule. Keep an eye on your navigation during the transitions between the Will Rogers Expressway and Northwest Rogers Lane to ensure you stay on the most efficient path.
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 100.4 miles from Stillwater, OK, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.9 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 44 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.4 miles or 1h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altus, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Stillwater, 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 Stillwater, OK
This is one driving day of about 200.7 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Stillwater, 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 Harry E. Bailey Turnpike for about 60.9 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 71.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|US 177 / South Perkins Road
Turn right onto US 177 / South Perkins Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
9.4 mi into trip|~12m in|OK 33; CR EW71 / Jennifer Lea Briggs and Heather Wilson Memorial Highway
Turn right onto OK 33; CR EW71 / Jennifer Lea Briggs and Heather Wilson Memorial Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
31.6 mi into trip|~38m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
9
55.7 mi into trip|~1h 4m 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
71.3 mi into trip|~1h 23m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.38 one way
$62.75 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$34.45
$68.90
premium
$4.89
$38.62
$77.25
diesel
$5.61
$44.31
$88.62
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
$31
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.2
0
$21.07
$9.63
Efficient EV
50.2
0
$17.56
$8.03
EV Truck/SUV
80.3
1
$28.10
$12.84
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Stillwater, OK
Night
in Stillwater on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Chance Rain Showers
N 15 mph48% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 4:01AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 3:56AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Destination
Altus, OK
Night
in Altus on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°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
38 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
3h 45m 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 is a mixed-profile drive that keeps you moving across the plains with a 47% highway share. You will encounter a variety of road types, transitioning from turnpikes to local expressways as you navigate toward the southwest. The most significant sustained portion of your journey is a 60.9-mile stretch along the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, which offers the most consistent pace of the entire trip. Expect the feel of the road to shift as you move between high-speed toll routes and the local arteries that connect the regional landscape. It is an efficient, functional drive that prioritizes steady progress over technical complexity.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.9 mi on Harry E. Bailey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 177 / South Perkins Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 200.7 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 0.4 miles (US 177 / South Perkins Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (OK 33; CR EW71 / Jennifer Lea Briggs and Heather Wilson Memorial Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.6 miles: 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 Stillwater, OK and Altus, OK, road signs point toward Amarillo and Lawton.
Amarillo
55.7 mi in|~1h 4m|via I 44; OK 66
Lawton
79.2 mi in|~1h 32m|via I 44
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 200.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.9 miles on Harry E. Bailey Turnpike. 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 Altus, 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 0.4 miles (US 177 / South Perkins Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (OK 33; CR EW71 / Jennifer Lea Briggs and Heather Wilson Memorial Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.6 miles: 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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Altus, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
