Origin
Tahlequah, OK
Late night in Tahlequah on Sunday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tahlequah, OK to Midwest City, OK
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 59m
Distance
161.3 mi
260 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 49m
★
6 AM
3h 0m
8 AM
3h 23m
10 AM
3h 8m
12 PM
3h 6m
3 PM
3h 9m
5 PM
3h 21m
8 PM
2h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tahlequah, OK
cottonbro CG studio
Midwest City, OK
John Hill
Trip Overview
Connecting Tahlequah to Midwest City, this 161.3-mile trip takes approximately 2 hours and 59 minutes to complete. Because the entire journey remains within Oklahoma’s Great Plains region, you can easily tackle this as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay. You should budget about $25 for fuel, keeping in mind that the route requires a bit more focus than a simple interstate cruise. Navigating via Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, South 32nd Street, and US 62 makes for a straightforward trek across the state. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, this drive offers a manageable pace for a solo traveler or a small group.
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
80.7 miles from Tahlequah, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway | 98 mi | 1h 39m |
| South 32nd Street | 19.1 mi | 20m |
| US 62 | 14.9 mi | 18m |
| North Muskogee Avenue | 5.7 mi | 10m |
| OK 165 | 5.6 mi | 8m |
| Tinker Diagonal | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| OK 10 | 4 mi | 4m |
| Muskogee Turnpike | 3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
— 98 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tahlequah, OK and Midwest City, OK.
1
Start on North Muskogee Avenue;ᎫᏐ ᎦᎳᏅᏛ
5.7 mi
·
10 min
·
North Muskogee Avenue;ᎫᏐ ᎦᎳᏅᏛ
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
2
Continue on OK 10; US 62
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
OK 10; US 62
3
Continue on US 62; OK 10
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 62; OK 10
4
Continue on OK 10; US 62
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
OK 10; US 62
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on OK 10; US 62
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
OK 10; US 62
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 62; OK 10
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US 62; OK 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 62; OK 10
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
US 62; OK 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Toward OK 165 South, OK 351 East: Fort Smith
Use the sharp right lane.
9
Merge onto OK 165; OK 351
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Muskogee Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit onto OK 165
5.6 mi
·
8 min
·
OK 165
Toward OK 165 West: Peak Boulevard
Use the right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
Use the left lane.
12
Merge onto US 69
19 mi
·
20 min
·
South 32nd Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 40
23 mi
·
22 min
·
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 40
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on I 40
75 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40; US 270
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Tinker Diagonal
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 159B
19
Keep slight right at fork
375 ft
·
9 sec
20
Turn straight onto South Douglas Boulevard
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Douglas Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto Southeast 15th Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast 15th Street
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left onto Felix Place
115 ft
·
7 sec
·
Felix Place
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right
34 ft
·
4 sec
24
Turn right
34 ft
·
2 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Plan for one dedicated stop to break up the three-hour journey and keep your focus sharp on the local roads. Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best, though mid-morning starts often avoid peak congestion. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge when leaving Tahlequah, as the $25 estimate assumes consistent driving conditions across the 161.3-mile span. Prioritize checking your navigation before you head out, especially when transitioning between the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway and the local surface streets. Being prepared for these frequent turns will make your arrival in Midwest City much smoother.
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 80.7 miles from Tahlequah, OK, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98 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 35 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.7 miles or 1h 34m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Midwest City, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tahlequah, 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 Tahlequah, OK
This is one driving day of about 161.3 miles and 2h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Tahlequah, 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 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.7 miles from Tahlequah, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 24.7 and 153.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
24.7 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Take the exit toward OK 165 South, OK 351 East: Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the sharp right lane.
Toward OK 165 South, OK 351 East: Fort Smith
6
27.9 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
OK 165
Take the exit onto OK 165 toward OK 165 West: Peak Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward OK 165 West: Peak Boulevard
7
33.5 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
53.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City
6
153.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.22 one way
$50.43 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.69 | $55.38 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.04 | $62.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.61 | $71.23 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.21
Muskogee Turnpike
(3 mi)
$0.21
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
$25
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.4 | 0 | $16.94 | $7.74 |
| Efficient EV | 40.3 | 0 | $14.11 | $6.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.5 | 0 | $22.58 | $10.32 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Midwest City, OK
Late night in Midwest City on Sunday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Eufaula, OK
81 mi in
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
2h 59m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
$18
near mile 161.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your attention rather than a monotonous interstate grind. Only 17 percent of this route consists of highways, so you will spend most of your time navigating local roads and connections. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted segment while covering 98 miles on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. As you transition between these road types, the driving experience shifts from steady highway cruising to more technical maneuvers. Prepare for a varied rhythm behind the wheel as you move from the quieter stretches into the denser traffic flow near Midwest City.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98 mi on Vietnam Veteran's 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 24.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 161.3 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 24.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.9 miles (OK 165): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,251 ft
515 ft
Total Climb
854 ft
Total Descent
400 ft
Highest Point
1,251 ft
~161.3 mi in
Elevation Range
736 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 59m. Total distance: 161.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98 miles on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.21 in tolls one way, starting with Muskogee 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.
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 Midwest City, 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 24.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.9 miles (OK 165): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.5 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Midwest City, OK before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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