Origin
Choctaw, OK
Afternoon in Choctaw on Sunday
Local time
2:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
38m
Distance
31.1 mi
50 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Choctaw, OK
Wasin Pirom
Shawnee, OK
cottonbro CG studio
If you are looking for a quick transition within the Great Plains, the 31.1-mile journey from Choctaw to Shawnee is a straightforward option. You can expect the drive to take approximately 38 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of just $5, this route is as economical as it is efficient. You will navigate a combination of the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, the Kickapoo Turnpike, and OK 3W to complete the trek. Since the entire drive stays within Oklahoma, you won't need to worry about complex regional shifts or overnight stops. It is a practical, no-fuss connection that gets you from point A to point B without any unnecessary complications.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
15.5 miles from Choctaw, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
This trip functions as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate slog. While roughly 25% of the journey takes place on highways, you will encounter varying road types as you transition between the primary arteries. Your longest uninterrupted stretch is 10.4 miles on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, providing a brief period of steady cruising. The remainder of the route requires your full attention as you navigate the turns inherent to this local path. You will feel the shift in road pace as you move off the turnpike and onto the state highway segments, so be prepared for a more engaged driving experience.
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 0.3 miles in near US 62 / Northeast 23rd Street.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 31.1 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 0.3 miles (US 62 / Northeast 23rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto US 62 / Northeast 23rd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward Kickapoo Turnpike Southbound
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 40 East: Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto OK 3W; US 270 toward US 177, OK 3W East, US 270 East: Shawnee, Tecumseh
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto OK 3W; US 270 toward US 177 South, OK 3W East, US 270 East: Shawnee, Tecumseh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Choctaw, OK and Shawnee, OK, road signs point toward Kickapoo Turnpike Southbound and Tecumseh.
Kickapoo Turnpike Southbound
Tecumseh
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway | 10.4 mi | 11m |
| Kickapoo Turnpike | 7.7 mi | 7m |
| OK 3W | 6 mi | 7m |
| Northeast 23rd Street | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| West Farrall Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Kickapoo Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Muzzy Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| West Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Choctaw, OK and Shawnee, OK.
Start on Muzzy Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 62
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 335
Take the exit
Merge onto I 40; US 270; OK 3
Take the exit onto OK 3W; US 270
Keep slight right at fork onto OK 3W; US 270
Merge onto OK 3W; US 177; US 270
Take the exit
Continue on OK 18
Turn left onto South Kickapoo Street
Turn sharp right onto West Main Street
Arrive at destination
Because this is a short, 38-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for any scheduled stops, as the distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route means you should stay alert, especially when transitioning between the Kickapoo Turnpike and OK 3W. Budgeting $5 for fuel should be more than sufficient for the 31.1-mile trek, leaving you with little to worry about regarding your vehicle's range. Use this efficiency to your advantage by planning your arrival in Shawnee around your specific schedule rather than worrying about road fatigue or rest breaks.
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 31.1 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.5 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shawnee, OK than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Choctaw, 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 Choctaw, OK
This is one driving day of about 31.1 miles and 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.5 mi from Choctaw, OK · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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 31.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 15.5 miles from Choctaw, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Shawnee, 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 Shawnee, OK.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$4.72 one way
$9.45 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.21 | $10.41 |
| premium | $4.80 | $5.87 | $11.74 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.91 | $13.82 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.54
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
$5
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.3 | 0 | $3.27 | $1.49 |
| Efficient EV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.72 | $1.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.35 | $1.99 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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 Choctaw on Sunday
Local time
2:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Shawnee on Sunday
Local time
2:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°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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