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Trip from Lawton, OK to Poteau, OK

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 51m

Distance

270.5 mi

435 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 38m ★
6 AM
4h 51m
8 AM
5h 18m
10 AM
5h 1m
12 PM
4h 58m
3 PM
5h 2m
5 PM
5h 17m
8 PM
4h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city and County seat of Comanche County, Oklahoma, United States

Lawton, OK

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Poteau, OK, OK

Poteau, OK

cottonbro CG studio

Trip Overview

The drive from Lawton, OK to Poteau, OK covers 270.5 miles and takes about 4h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, Kerr Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 141.4 miles on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.29 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

135.2 miles from Lawton, OK

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 270.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile.

Drive Character

The drive from Lawton, OK to Poteau, OK covers 270.5 miles and takes about 4h 51m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 141.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Northwest 1st Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 270.5 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.1 miles (Northwest 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Southwest Gore Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (US 281 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Northwest 1st Street

Turn left onto Northwest 1st Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Southwest Gore Boulevard

Turn left onto Southwest Gore Boulevard

Navigation decision point

8
0.9 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 281 Business

Keep slight right at fork onto US 281 Business toward I 44 East, US 277 North, US 281 North: Oklahoma City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 44 East, US 277 North, US 281 North: O...
8
77.1 mi into trip | ~1h 20m in | US 62

Take the exit onto US 62 toward I 240 East, US 62 East, OK 3 East: Fort Smith

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 115 Toward I 240 East, US 62 East, OK 3 East: Fort...
8
236.5 mi into trip | ~4h 4m in | I 40 Business

Take the exit onto I 40 Business toward I 40 Business East, US 59: Sallisaw, Poteau

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 308 Toward I 40 Business East, US 59: Sallisaw, Pot...

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway 141.4 mi 2h 23m
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike 61.2 mi 1h 2m
Kerr Boulevard 20 mi 23m
Southeast Expressway 13 mi 14m
US 59 12.3 mi 19m
Will Rogers Expressway 7.7 mi 8m
Pioneer Expressway 4.6 mi 4m
Southwest Expressway 3.3 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway — 141.4 mi, about 2h 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lawton, OK and Poteau, OK.

1

Start on Southwest Gore Boulevard

447 ft · 13 sec · Southwest Gore Boulevard
2

Turn left onto Northwest 1st Street

183 ft · 13 sec · Northwest 1st Street
3

Turn left onto Southwest Gore Boulevard

481 ft · 12 sec · Southwest Gore Boulevard
4

Turn right onto US 281 Business

0.5 mi · 44 sec · Northwest 2nd Street
5

Take the ramp onto US 281 Business

0.2 mi · 28 sec · US 281 Business
6

Keep slight right at fork onto US 281 Business

0.4 mi · 49 sec · US 281 Business
Toward I 44 East, US 277 North, US 281 North: Oklahoma City Use the straight lane.
7

Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281

2.4 mi · 2 min · Bill W. Burgess, Junior Highway
8

Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281

4.6 mi · 4 min · Pioneer Expressway
Use the straight lane.
9

Continue on I 44

61 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Toward I 44 East: Chickasha, Oklahoma City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 44; US 62

7.7 mi · 8 min · Will Rogers Expressway
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
11

Take the exit onto US 62

0.3 mi · 42 sec · US 62
Exit 115 Toward I 240 East, US 62 East, OK 3 East: Fort Smith Use the slight right lane.
12

Merge onto I 240; US 62; OK 3

3.3 mi · 4 min · Southwest Expressway
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on I 240; US 62; OK 3

13 mi · 14 min · Southeast Expressway
Use the straight lane.
14

Continue on I 40; US 270; OK 3

75 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
15

Continue on I 40

1.4 mi · 1 min · Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
Toward I 40 East: Fort Smith Use the straight lane.
16

Continue on I 40

66 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit onto I 40 Business

0.2 mi · 31 sec · I 40 Business
Exit 308 Toward I 40 Business East, US 59: Sallisaw, Poteau Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Turn right onto US 59

20 mi · 23 min · Kerr Boulevard
Use the right lane.
19

Turn right onto US 59; US 271

359 ft · 7 sec · US 59; US 271
20

Continue on US 59; US 271

0.1 mi · 10 sec · US 59; US 271
Use the straight / left lanes.
21

Continue on US 59; US 271

12 mi · 19 min · US 59; US 271
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22

Turn right onto Circle Drive

0.1 mi · 12 sec · Circle Drive
23

Continue on Paul Mathies Drive

0.9 mi · 1 min · Paul Mathies Drive
24

Turn left onto Beard Avenue

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Beard Avenue
25

At end of road, turn left onto US 59 Business; US 271 Business

114 ft · 6 sec · South Broadway Street
26

Turn right onto Dewey Avenue

56 ft · 1 sec · Dewey Avenue
27

Arrive at destination

Dewey Avenue

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 135.2 miles from Lawton, OK, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141.4 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 60 miles or 1h 2m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 135.2 miles or 2h 22m 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 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Poteau, OK than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lawton, 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 Lawton, OK

This is one driving day of about 270.5 miles and 4h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Lawton, OK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway for about 141.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 135.2 mi from Lawton, OK · 2h 22m into the drive

town in Oklahoma, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Holdenville, OK

135 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Moore, OK

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Holdenville, OK

Meal break

The midpoint is around 135.2 miles from Lawton, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 141.4 miles.

Arriving in Poteau, OK

The final approach into Poteau, 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 Poteau, OK.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Whataburger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Poteau, Oklahoma

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 270.5

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19187210220

Visit website

Boomarang Diner

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Checotah, Oklahoma

1.8 mi

Whataburger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 270.5

Poteau, Oklahoma

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19187210220

Visit website

Boomarang Diner

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 193.2

Checotah, Oklahoma

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19184737774

Visit website

Burger Barn

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 212.5

Webbers Falls, Oklahoma

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+19184642890

Visit website

Elmer Thomas Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Lawton, Oklahoma

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+15805813400

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.29 one way

$84.58 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 95 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $46.43 $92.86
premium $4.89 $52.06 $104.11
diesel $5.61 $59.72 $119.45

Estimated Tolls: $4.28

Harry E. Bailey Turnpike (61.2 mi) $4.28

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

$42

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 94.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 81.1 1 $28.40 $12.98
Efficient EV 67.6 0 $23.67 $10.82
EV Truck/SUV 108.2 1 $37.87 $17.31

Gas CO2

95 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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

Lawton, OK

Late night in Lawton on Saturday

Local time

5:47 AM

CDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Poteau, OK

Late night in Poteau on Saturday

Local time

5:47 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°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

18 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

4h 51m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Lawton, OK to Poteau, OK covers 270.5 miles and takes about 4h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, Kerr Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 135.2 miles from Lawton, OK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.29 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 270.5 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Northwest 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Southwest Gore Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (US 281 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Lawton, OK to Poteau, OK does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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