Tishomingo, OK to Copeland, OK is 242.3 miles and takes about 4h 29m via I 44 and Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape. It's a relatively short drive, well-suited for a single day, and you'll primarily be on interstates and well-maintained highways. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground within Oklahoma without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
121.1 miles from Tishomingo, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
65.3 mi
1h 6m
Veterans Memorial Highway
60.1 mi
1h 9m
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
42 mi
40m
J. A. Richardson Loop
36.5 mi
42m
Skelly Bypass
15.5 mi
18m
US 59
8.4 mi
11m
South 8th Avenue
4.4 mi
5m
Jim Thorpe Boulevard
3.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 65.3 mi, about 1h 6m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,460 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~198 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Tishomingo, OK and Copeland, OK.
1
Start on US 377; OK 99
1.7 mi·2 min·North Kemp Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Continue on US 377; OK 99
17 mi·19 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Continue on OK 99; US 377
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Continue on US 377; OK 3E; OK 99
16 mi·19 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Take the ramp onto US 377; OK 99
0.2 mi·32 sec·Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward OK 3 West, US 377 North, OK 99 North: AdaUse the straight / left lanes.
6
Merge onto US 377; OK 3; OK 99
37 mi·42 min·J. A. Richardson Loop
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 377; OK 3E; OK 99
2.9 mi·3 min·South Milt Phillips Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on OK 99; US 377
14 mi·16 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on OK 99; US 377
3.3 mi·3 min·Jim Thorpe Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Continue on OK 99; US 377
13 mi·14 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Continue on OK 99; US 377
4.4 mi·5 min·South 8th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
314 ft·7 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·23 sec·this road
14
Turn slight right
510 ft·13 sec
Toward I 44 East: Tulsa
15
Merge onto I 44
42 mi·40 min·Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on I 44; OK 66
1.2 mi·1 min·Skelly Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44; OK 66
14 mi·17 min·Skelly Bypass
Toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: JoplinUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 44; US 412; OK 66
4.3 mi·5 min·I 44; US 412; OK 66
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
61 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 44
Toward I 44 East: Joplin, ClaremoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 302Toward US 59, US 60: Fairland, Grove, AftonUse the right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Cash OnlyUse the straight lane.
22
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·20 sec·this road
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward US 59 South, US 60 West, US 69 South: Afton, GroveUse the slight right lane.
24
Turn straight onto US 59; US 60; US 69; US Historic 66
0.6 mi·56 sec·US 59; US 60; US 69; US Historic 66
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
25
Turn left onto US 59
7.8 mi·10 min·US 59
Toward US 69 South: Grove
26
Turn sharp right onto East 250 Road
303 ft·5 sec·East 250 Road
27
Arrive at destination
East 250 Road
Trip Plan
Leaving Tishomingo in the morning should give you ample daylight to reach Copeland. With a drive time of under 4.5 hours, you may only need one planned stop for fuel or a quick break. The $37 fuel estimate is based on the total mileage, so keep that in mind when budgeting. Given the short duration, you have the flexibility to depart later in the day if needed, but ensure you're aware of the longest stretch of 65.3 miles on I 44 and plan your breaks accordingly before that segment if necessary.
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 121.1 miles from Tishomingo, OK, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.3 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 53 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.1 miles or 2h 20m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Copeland, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tishomingo, 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 Tishomingo, OK
This is one driving day of about 242.3 miles and 4h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Tishomingo, 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 I 44 for about 65.3 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 35.4 and 233.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
35.4 mi into trip|~42m in|US 377; OK 99 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Take the ramp onto US 377; OK 99 / Veterans Memorial Highway toward OK 3 West, US 377 North, OK 99 North: Ada
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward OK 3 West, US 377 North, OK 99 North: Ad...
8
153.5 mi into trip|~2h 52m in|I 44; OK 66 / Skelly Bypass
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44; OK 66 / Skelly Bypass toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: Joplin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: Joplin
8
172 mi into trip|~3h 15m in|I 44
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 toward I 44 East: Joplin, Claremore
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 East: Joplin, Claremore
8
233 mi into trip|~4h 16m in
Take the exit toward US 59, US 60: Fairland, Grove, Afton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 302
Toward US 59, US 60: Fairland, Grove, Afton
9
233.5 mi into trip|~4h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 59 South, US 60 West, US 69 South: Afton, Grove
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 59 South, US 60 West, US 69 South: Af...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.78 one way
$71.56 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$39.50
$79.01
premium
$4.72
$44.99
$89.98
diesel
$4.80
$45.75
$91.50
Estimated Tolls: $2.10
Turner Turnpike
(42 mi)$2.10
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
$36
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.7
0
$25.44
$11.63
Efficient EV
60.6
0
$21.20
$9.69
EV Truck/SUV
96.9
1
$33.92
$15.51
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Tishomingo, OK
Evening
in Tishomingo on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:29PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Destination
Copeland, OK
Evening
in Copeland on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph31% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:29PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
99°F
Davenport, OK
121 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
1 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
4h 29m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Springs, streams, lakes - whatever its form, water is the attraction at Chickasaw National Recreation Area.
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 16.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 48% of this 242.3-mile drive will be on highways like I 44. You'll experience a longest stretch of 65.3 miles on I 44 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a mix of faster highway cruising and potentially more local traffic as you near your destination. The transition from high-speed interstate to surface roads will be a noticeable change in pace.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.3 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 35.4 miles in near US 377; OK 99 / Veterans Memorial Highway.
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 13 significant decision points across 242.3 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 35.4 miles (US 377; OK 99 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.5 miles (I 44; OK 66 / Skelly Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172 miles (I 44): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,045 ft662 ft
Total Climb
745 ft
Total Descent
624 ft
Highest Point
1,045 ft
~17.3 mi in
Elevation Range
383 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 Tishomingo, OK to Copeland, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Claremore along the way.
Tishomingo is a city of 3,000 people (2019) in the Chickasaw Country of Oklahoma. It was the capital of the Chickasaw Nation, from 1856 until Oklahoma statehood in 1907. It is the home of Murray State College.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 29m. Total distance: 242.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.3 miles on I 44. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.10 in tolls one way, starting with Turner 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 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 Copeland, 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 35.4 miles (US 377; OK 99 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.5 miles (I 44; OK 66 / Skelly Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172 miles (I 44): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chickasaw National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Copeland, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
