Origin
Altus, OK
Afternoon in Altus on Sunday
Local time
2:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
2h 31m
Distance
132.9 mi
214 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
Altus, OK
cottonbro CG studio
Norman, OK
César O'neill
Spanning 132.9 miles across the Oklahoma Great Plains, this drive between Altus and Norman typically takes about 2 hours and 31 minutes. It functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. With a modest estimated fuel cost of $20, it remains an affordable trek for solo drivers or families alike. You will travel primarily via the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, the Colonel Aaron C. "Burley" Burleson Memorial Highway, and the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike Spur. Because both cities are located within the Great Plains region, the landscape remains consistent throughout your journey. This route is ideal if you want a reliable, no-fuss connection between these two Oklahoma hubs.
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
66.5 miles from Altus, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances highway efficiency with regional transit. Roughly 55% of your total mileage is spent on highways, providing a steady pace for the majority of the trip. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, where you will cover 52.7 miles of open road. The transition between these specific highway segments keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. You will find that the road surface and traffic patterns shift as you move from the Turnpike onto the Memorial Highway, requiring you to stay alert and adjust your speed accordingly.
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 early in the drive near US 62 / East Broadway Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 132.9 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: near the start (US 62 / East Broadway Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 47.3 miles (US 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto US 62 / East Broadway Street
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto US 62 toward Rogers Lane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward OK 4 Toll, H. E. Bailey Spur: Blanchard, Norman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Main Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Between Altus, OK and Norman, OK, road signs point toward Oklahoma City and H. E. Bailey Spur: Blanchard.
Oklahoma City
H. E. Bailey Spur: Blanchard
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Harry E. Bailey Turnpike | 52.7 mi | 54m |
| Colonel Aaron C. "Burley" Burleson Memorial Highway | 45 mi | 50m |
| Harry E. Bailey Turnpike Spur | 7.8 mi | 7m |
| US 62 | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| Southeast 44th Street | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| Pioneer Expressway | 4.6 mi | 4m |
| West Main Street | 2.6 mi | 6m |
| East Broadway Street | 2.3 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between Altus, OK and Norman, OK.
Start on US 283; OK 6
Turn left onto US 62
Continue on US 62
Keep slight right at fork onto US 62
Take the exit onto US 62
Merge onto I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
Continue on I 44
Take the exit
Merge onto OK 4 Toll
Continue on OK 9
Turn slight right onto West Adkins Hill Road
Continue on OK 9
Take the exit
Merge onto OK 9; I 35
Continue on I 35
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto West Main Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While the route is manageable in one go, budgeting for at least one stop will help you break up the 2.5-hour duration effectively. Keep in mind that your fuel expenses should hover around the $20 mark, so it is a good idea to ensure your tank is topped off before hitting the turnpike sections. Because you are navigating a mix of turnpike and memorial highway infrastructure, keep your toll pass or payment method handy to avoid delays at interchanges. Taking that single planned stop midway will keep you refreshed for the final stretch into Norman.
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.5 miles or 1h 16m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norman, OK than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Altus, 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 Altus, OK
This is one driving day of about 132.9 miles and 2h 31m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.5 mi from Altus, OK · 1h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 66.5 miles from Altus, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Norman, OK usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Norman, OK.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$20.19 one way
$40.37 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $22.25 | $44.51 |
| premium | $4.80 | $25.09 | $50.18 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $29.53 | $59.05 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.24
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
$20
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.9 | 0 | $13.95 | $6.38 |
| Efficient EV | 33.2 | 0 | $11.63 | $5.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.2 | 0 | $18.61 | $8.51 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Altus on Sunday
Local time
2:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Norman on Sunday
Local time
2:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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