If you are planning to travel from Yale to Oklahoma City, expect a straightforward 84-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to complete. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it does not require an overnight stay to manage the distance. You will traverse the heart of the Great Plains, keeping your transit costs low with an estimated fuel budget of only $13. Because the entire route remains within Oklahoma, you can anticipate a consistent regional atmosphere throughout your travel. This drive is best viewed as a practical connection between two points rather than a multi-day expedition, offering you the flexibility to complete the trip in one efficient session.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42 miles from Yale, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
19.9 mi
20m
Sammy Davis, Junior Drive
11.6 mi
13m
Jennifer Lea Briggs and Heather Wilson Memorial Highway
10.3 mi
11m
Specialist Jordan M. Morris Memorial Highway
8.4 mi
10m
East 116th Street
8.3 mi
10m
42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway
8 mi
9m
Shannon Miller Parkway
4.1 mi
4m
Jim Thorpe Memorial Highway
3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
— 19.9 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yale, OK and Oklahoma City, OK.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto OK 51
0.8 mi·1 min·West Chicago Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Continue on OK 51
3.0 mi·3 min·Jim Thorpe Memorial Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
4
Continue on OK 51
8.0 mi·9 min·42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto OK 108
6.5 mi·7 min·Specialist Jordan M. Morris Memorial Highway
6
Continue on OK 108
0.7 mi·1 min·Morton Avenue
7
Continue on OK 108
1.8 mi·2 min·Specialist Jordan M. Morris Memorial Highway
8
Turn right onto OK 33; CR EW71
8.3 mi·10 min·East 116th Street
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on OK 33; CR EW71
10 mi·11 min·Jennifer Lea Briggs and Heather Wilson Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on OK 33
0.3 mi·23 sec·Newt Sexton Memorial Bridge
11
Continue on OK 33
12 mi·13 min·Sammy Davis, Junior Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
13
Merge onto I 35
15 mi·14 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35; US 77
4.1 mi·4 min·Shannon Miller Parkway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on I 35; OK 66
5.0 mi·5 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
0.4 mi·26 sec·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward I 35 South: DallasUse the slight left lane.
17
Continue on I 35
2.9 mi·3 min·Honorable Hannah Diggs Atkins, Secretary of State, Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on I 35
2.5 mi·3 min·Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on I 35; I 40; US 62; US 270
0.9 mi·1 min·Crosstown Expressway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 270
0.4 mi·26 sec·Crosstown Expressway
Exit 126Toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma Health Center, State Capitol, Edmond, AmarilloUse the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·39 sec
Exit 151AToward Oklahoma City BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto Oklahoma City Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Oklahoma City Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn right onto South Edward King Gaylord Boulevard
0.3 mi·41 sec·South Edward King Gaylord Boulevard
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto West Sheridan Avenue
0.2 mi·26 sec·West Sheridan Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto North Robinson Avenue
416 ft·14 sec·North Robinson Avenue
Use the straight lane.
26
Arrive at destination
North Robinson Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of scheduling your departure to suit your personal preference without needing to worry about complex pacing. You can easily complete the entire 84-mile drive without any mandatory stops, though you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you head out to ensure your $13 budget covers the full distance. Because the route is turn-heavy, try to plan your departure during daylight hours to make navigating the local roads easier. Treat this as a flexible transit day where the lack of required stops allows you to reach your destination in Oklahoma City on your own terms. Staying mindful of the transition between the various memorial highways will help you stay on course throughout the drive.
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 42 miles from Yale, OK, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.9 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42 miles or 52m 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 24m
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 Yale, OK so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Yale, OK
This is one driving day of about 84 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Yale, OK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on World War II Veterans Memorial Highway for about 19.9 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 75.5 and 83.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
75.5 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|I 35 / World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / World War II Veterans Memorial Highway toward I 35 South: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 South: Dallas
9
82.1 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma Health Center, State Capitol, Edmond, Amarillo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 126
Toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US...
7
82.5 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward Oklahoma City Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 151A
Toward Oklahoma City Boulevard
7
83.7 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|West Sheridan Avenue
Turn left onto West Sheridan Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
83.9 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|North Robinson Avenue
Turn right onto North Robinson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.13 one way
$26.26 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$14.42
$28.84
premium
$4.89
$16.17
$32.33
diesel
$5.61
$18.55
$37.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.2
0
$8.82
$4.03
Efficient EV
21
0
$7.35
$3.36
EV Truck/SUV
33.6
0
$11.76
$5.38
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Yale, OK
Morning
in Yale on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oklahoma City, OK
Morning
in Oklahoma City on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Rain Showers Likely
N 18 mph67% 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
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
11 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
1h 40m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you navigate through the landscape, which requires a bit more active attention than a standard interstate cruise. With only 6% of the route consisting of highway travel, you will spend the vast majority of your time on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 19.9-mile segment on the World War II Veterans Memorial Highway. Your path will also take you along the Sammy Davis, Junior Drive and the Jennifer Lea Briggs and Heather Wilson Memorial Highway. Because of the frequent turns, stay alert and prepare for a driving experience that favors winding local connections over high-speed, straight-line travel.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 19.9 mi on World War II Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 75.5 miles in near I 35 / World War II Veterans Memorial Highway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84 miles you will encounter 12 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 75.5 miles (I 35 / World War II Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.1 miles (I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 40m. Total distance: 84 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 19.9 miles on World War II Veterans Memorial Highway. 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 75.5 miles (I 35 / World War II Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.1 miles (I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82.5 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 Oklahoma City, OK before heading back.
