Origin
Ardmore, OK
Afternoon in Ardmore on Sunday
Local time
1:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Drive Time
3h 55m
Distance
204 mi
328 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
Photo: Elizabeth Celestino
Traveling from Ardmore to Claremore covers 204 miles across the Great Plains, typically taking about 3 hours and 55 minutes behind the wheel. Because the duration is under four hours, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $31 for fuel, though keep in mind that actual costs fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency. Navigating this path involves utilizing the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike, the J. A. Richardson Loop, and the Veterans Memorial Highway. It is a straightforward, mixed-drive experience that connects two distinct points within Oklahoma. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, this drive offers a reliable pace that allows for a comfortable arrival at your destination by the end of the day.
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
102 miles from Ardmore, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Expect a varied experience on this journey, as the route is comprised of 41% highway travel. You will encounter a mix of driving conditions, shifting from open stretches to the more structured environment of the turnpike and local loops. The longest uninterrupted segment you will navigate is a 42-mile stretch along the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike, which provides a consistent rhythm before the road transitions. This mixed-drive profile means you will need to stay alert as you move between high-speed corridors and the more localized segments of the Veterans Memorial Highway. It is not an endless interstate grind, nor is it purely a technical backroad, making it a balanced drive for those who prefer changing scenery and road types.
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 171.8 miles in near I 44; OK 66 / Skelly Bypass.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 204 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 171.8 miles (I 44; OK 66 / Skelly Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.3 miles (I 44): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 197.4 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.
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
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
Take the exit toward OK 266 West: Claremore, Port of Catoosa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward PIKEPASS Only
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward OK 66: Claremore, Catoosa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Ardmore, OK and Claremore, OK, road signs point toward Seminole and Mcalester.
Seminole
Mcalester
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike | 42 mi | 40m |
| J. A. Richardson Loop | 32 mi | 37m |
| Veterans Memorial Highway | 27.2 mi | 30m |
| World War I Veterans Memorial Highway | 19.1 mi | 19m |
| Chickasaw Turnpike | 17.3 mi | 20m |
| Skelly Bypass | 15.5 mi | 18m |
| I 44 | 11.3 mi | 12m |
| OK 1 | 9.9 mi | 12m |
Step-by-step road directions between Ardmore, OK and Claremore, OK.
Start on this road
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
Continue on West Broadway Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 35
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto US 77
Continue on US 77
Turn right
Merge onto OK 7; US 77
Turn left onto OK 7 Spur
Keep slight right at fork onto OK 301
At end of road, turn left onto OK 1
Take the exit onto OK 1
Merge onto OK 1; OK 3
Continue on US 377; OK 3E; OK 99
Continue on OK 99; US 377
Continue on OK 99; US 377
Continue on OK 99; US 377
Continue on OK 99; US 377
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Turn slight right
Merge onto I 44
Continue on I 44; OK 66
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44; OK 66
Continue on I 44; US 412; OK 66
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on OK 266
Take the exit
Turn right
Turn straight onto OK 66; US Historic 66
Turn left onto OK 88
Arrive at destination
Since this is a roughly four-hour trek, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, but leaving in the morning will ensure you reach Claremore with daylight to spare. Plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to stretch your legs and refresh, as the 204-mile distance can feel repetitive if you push through without a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the longer highway sections, especially since you will need about $31 for the full trip. Because the route relies heavily on the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike, be prepared for toll-related logistics as you navigate the longest 42-mile stretch. Giving yourself the freedom to pull over once will make the nearly four-hour drive feel much shorter and more comfortable.
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.
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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102 miles or 2h 1m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Claremore, OK than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Ardmore, 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 Ardmore, OK
This is one driving day of about 204 miles and 3h 55m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 102 mi from Ardmore, OK · 2h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 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 102 miles from Ardmore, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Claremore, 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 Claremore, OK.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$30.99 one way
$61.97 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $34.16 | $68.32 |
| premium | $4.80 | $38.51 | $77.02 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $45.32 | $90.64 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.31
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
$31
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.2 | 0 | $21.42 | $9.79 |
| Efficient EV | 51 | 0 | $17.85 | $8.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.6 | 1 | $28.56 | $13.06 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Ardmore on Sunday
Local time
1:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Claremore on Sunday
Local time
1:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°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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