If you are planning to travel from Waukomis to Oklahoma City, expect a straightforward journey spanning 78.6 miles. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 1 hour and 25 minutes, making it an ideal day excursion that does not require an overnight stay. Budgeting around $12 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way drive. Since you are moving within the Great Plains, the landscape remains consistent throughout your travel. This route serves as a practical, local connection between the two points, offering a simple transition without the stress of a long-haul journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.4 miles from Waukomis, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
John Deere Road
24.2 mi
30m
42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway
12 mi
14m
US 81
11.5 mi
13m
Lake Hefner Parkway
9.5 mi
10m
North Portland Avenue
9 mi
10m
Angie Debo Memorial Highway
5 mi
5m
Will Rogers Expressway
2.9 mi
3m
Oklahoma City Boulevard
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
John Deere Road
— 24.2 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukomis, OK and Oklahoma City, OK.
1
Start on East Euclid Avenue
0.5 mi·47 sec·East Euclid Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 81
11 mi·13 min·US 81
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto OK 51
0.5 mi·1 min·East Jack Choate Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on OK 51
12 mi·14 min·42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on OK 51; CR 62
5.0 mi·5 min·Angie Debo Memorial Highway
6
Turn right
135 ft·4 sec
7
Turn straight onto OK 74
9.0 mi·10 min·North Portland Avenue
8
Continue on OK 74
24 mi·30 min·John Deere Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on OK 74
9.5 mi·10 min·Lake Hefner Parkway
Use the straight lane.
10
Merge onto I 44; OK 3
2.9 mi·3 min·Will Rogers Expressway
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 120BToward I 40 East: Fort SmithUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 40; US 270
0.6 mi·45 sec·Crosstown Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn slight right onto Oklahoma City Boulevard
1.5 mi·2 min·Oklahoma City Boulevard
Exit 148BToward Oklahoma City BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto South Klein Avenue
386 ft·15 sec·South Klein Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto West Sheridan Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·West Sheridan Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto North Robinson Avenue
445 ft·20 sec·North Robinson Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
North Robinson Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. You won't need to plan for multiple rest stops given the 78.6-mile distance, allowing you to drive straight through if you prefer. Keep in mind that because this is a turn-heavy local route, it is wise to map your directions carefully before pulling out of your driveway to avoid missing any turns. With fuel costs estimated at $12, it is a budget-friendly way to reach the city. Pack light and enjoy the ease of a trip that gets you to your destination in well under two hours.
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 39.4 miles from Waukomis, OK, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.2 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 17 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.4 miles or 47m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oklahoma City, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Waukomis, OK so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Waukomis, OK
This is one driving day of about 78.8 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Waukomis, OK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on John Deere Road for about 24.2 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 77.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip|~0m in|US 81
Turn right onto US 81
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
11.9 mi into trip|~14m in|OK 51 / East Jack Choate Avenue
Turn left onto OK 51 / East Jack Choate Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
72.1 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|I 44; OK 3 / Will Rogers Expressway
Merge onto I 44; OK 3 / Will Rogers Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
74.9 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 40 East: Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 120B
Toward I 40 East: Fort Smith
6
77.7 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|South Klein Avenue
Turn left onto South Klein Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.32 one way
$24.64 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$13.53
$27.05
premium
$4.89
$15.16
$30.33
diesel
$5.61
$17.40
$34.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.6
0
$8.27
$3.78
Efficient EV
19.7
0
$6.90
$3.15
EV Truck/SUV
31.5
0
$11.03
$5.04
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Waukomis, OK
Morning
in Waukomis on Sunday
Local time
9:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oklahoma City, OK
Morning
in Oklahoma City on Sunday
Local time
9:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
4 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
1h 38m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, requiring your full attention as you navigate the local road network. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, you will be handling a route that relies entirely on local roads, with a highway share of 0%. Because the path is not dominated by long, high-speed stretches, you should prepare for a more engaging, hands-on experience behind the wheel. The road's personality is defined by these constant adjustments rather than long, uninterrupted segments. Expect a steady, manageable pace that keeps you active throughout the entire 1 hour and 25 minute duration.
31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24.2 mi on John Deere Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near US 81.
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 78.8 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.5 miles (US 81): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.9 miles (OK 51 / East Jack Choate Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 72.1 miles (I 44; OK 3 / Will Rogers Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Oklahoma City is the capital and principal city of the state of Oklahoma in the central Frontier Country region of the state. The sprawling city and its suburbs offer multiple sports venues, museums, regional food, and a mix of Native American and cowboy culture.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 78.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (31%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 24.2 miles on John Deere Road. 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 Oklahoma City, OK before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (US 81): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.9 miles (OK 51 / East Jack Choate Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 72.1 miles (I 44; OK 3 / Will Rogers Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Oklahoma City, OK before heading back.
