Stillwater, OK to Mangum, OK is 216.5 miles and takes about 3h 59m via Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway and OK 34, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Oklahoma, traversing the Great Plains region. Expect a drive that primarily uses surface roads, offering a straightforward connection between these two cities. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this trip is ideal for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
108.3 miles from Stillwater, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
90.8 mi
1h 33m
John Kilpatrick Turnpike
23 mi
24m
OK 34
21.7 mi
26m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
14.9 mi
15m
US 283
14 mi
16m
Sammy Davis, Junior Drive
11.6 mi
13m
Great Western Cattle Trail
10.6 mi
10m
Jennifer Lea Briggs and Heather Wilson Memorial Highway
10.3 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
— 90.8 mi, about 1h 33m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,330 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,683
Quietest
2 AM
~174 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stillwater, OK and Mangum, 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
0.4 mi·23 sec·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 138BToward I 344 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 344
23 mi·24 min·John Kilpatrick Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward Northwest 10th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on Northwest 10th Street
1.6 mi·2 min·Northwest 10th Street
Use the left lane.
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·47 sec
Use the left lane.
16
Merge onto I 40; US 270
55 mi·55 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 40
2.6 mi·2 min·Senator Ed Berrong Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 40
24 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 40
11 mi·10 min·Great Western Cattle Trail
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on I 40
12 mi·12 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit onto OK 34
0.2 mi·34 sec·OK 34
Exit 32Toward OK 34 South: Carter, Mangum, Elk CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
At end of road, turn left onto OK 34
14 mi·17 min·OK 34
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on OK 34; CR N1950
6.9 mi·7 min·OK 34; CR N1950
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
24
Continue on OK 34; CR N1950
0.6 mi·41 sec·OK 34; CR N1950
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on OK 34; US 283
503 ft·6 sec·OK 34; US 283
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on US 283; OK 34
8.1 mi·9 min·US 283; OK 34
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
27
Continue on US 283; OK 9; OK 34
3.8 mi·4 min·US 283; OK 9; OK 34
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
28
Continue on US 283; OK 34
2.2 mi·3 min·US 283; OK 34
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn right onto OK 34
494 ft·17 sec·East Lincoln Street
30
Turn left onto OK 34
93 ft·1 sec·South Pennsylvania Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
OK 34
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3-hour, 59-minute drive, consider departing in the morning to allow ample daylight for the 216.5-mile trip. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated around $33, you can easily complete this route in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto the longer stretches of surface roads, as services might be less frequent. The flexibility of a one-day drive means you can depart at your leisure, but an early start ensures a relaxed pace.
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 108.3 miles from Stillwater, OK, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.8 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 48 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.3 miles or 2h 1m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mangum, 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 216.5 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for about 90.8 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 0.4 and 180.7 — 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.
6
31.6 mi into trip|~38m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
51 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward I 344 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 138B
Toward I 344 West
6
74.4 mi into trip|~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward Northwest 10th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Northwest 10th Street
8
180.7 mi into trip|~3h 16m in|OK 34
Take the exit onto OK 34 toward OK 34 South: Carter, Mangum, Elk City
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 32
Toward OK 34 South: Carter, Mangum, Elk City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.57 one way
$67.13 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$36.81
$73.61
premium
$4.93
$42.00
$84.01
diesel
$5.60
$47.72
$95.45
Estimated Tolls: $1.15
Kilpatrick Turnpike
(23 mi)$1.15
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
$34
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65
0
$22.73
$10.39
Efficient EV
54.1
0
$18.94
$8.66
EV Truck/SUV
86.6
1
$30.31
$13.86
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Aug 31, 2026
Origin
Stillwater, OK
Late night
in Stillwater on Friday
Local time
5:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
102°F
Sunny
S 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 31 at 11:25AM CDT until August 31 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Tulsa OK
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 31 at 11:25AM CDT until September 1 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Tulsa OK
Destination
Mangum, OK
Late night
in Mangum on Friday
Local time
5:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
104°F
Sunny
S 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 31 at 11:25AM CDT until August 31 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Tulsa OK
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 31 at 11:25AM CDT until September 1 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Tulsa OK
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
2 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 59m 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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
$18
near mile 52.3
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 highways making up 29% of the total mileage. You'll experience a significant stretch of 90.8 miles on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, followed by segments on John Kilpatrick Turnpike and OK 34. The majority of your travel will be on surface roads, offering a more rural cruising experience after the initial highway portions. Be prepared for a shift from higher-speed travel to slower speeds as you transition to the surface road sections.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.8 mi on Korean War Veterans 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 around 0.4 miles in near US 177 / South Perkins Road.
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 216.5 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: at 0.4 miles (US 177 / South Perkins Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 51 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,990 ft896 ft
Total Climb
1,283 ft
Total Descent
580 ft
Highest Point
1,990 ft
~170.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,094 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Stillwater, OK to Mangum, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Elk City along the way.
Stillwater, in the Frontier Country region of Oklahoma, is home to Oklahoma State University (OSU). It has a distinct small town feel combined with a uniquely welcoming mid-west atmosphere, and OSU brings a young diverse population further enriching the city's culture. The population of 50,000 (2019) varies depending on the time of year from a peak during OSU's homecoming football weekend to the less crowded summer when most students are on break. Stillwater has several districts each with their own unique atmosphere and places to enjoy. Whether you are looking to shop in Downtown Stillwater's boutique shops, enjoy outdoor recreation on the edge of town, or wanting to live it up at a famous bar on The Strip, Stillwater has a place for everyone.
Top landmarks
•Pleasant Valley School — historic schoolhouse in Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States
•Magruder Plots — human settlement in United States of America
•Citizens Bank Building — listed on the NRHP in Oklahoma
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 216.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90.8 miles on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.15 in tolls one way, starting with Kilpatrick 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.
Yes — we found about 13 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 Mangum, 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (US 177 / South Perkins Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 51 miles: 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 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Mangum, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
