Origin
Ponca City, OK
Night in Ponca City on Tuesday
Local time
11:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ponca City, OK to Lawton, OK
Data updated 3 hours ago
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
189.7 mi
305 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 13m
★
6 AM
3h 25m
8 AM
3h 49m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 31m
3 PM
3h 35m
5 PM
3h 48m
8 PM
3h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ponca City, OK
Kelly
Lawton, OK
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 189.7-mile drive from Ponca City, OK to Lawton, OK is a straightforward, single-day journey taking about 3 hours and 24 minutes. You'll primarily travel on major roadways, including the World War II Veterans Memorial Highway and the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, with a highway share of 57%. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $30, making it an economical option. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, suggesting a consistent landscape throughout your travel. This route is perfectly suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
94.9 miles from Ponca City, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 57% of your journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 77 miles along the World War II Veterans Memorial Highway, offering a solid period of consistent travel. While the turnpike sections provide efficient transit, the overall feel is a blend of faster highway segments and potentially some local road transitions. The drive generally maintains a steady pace, making it easy to cover ground without significant delays.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 77 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 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Oak Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 189.7 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 0.1 miles (North Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 15.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 96.9 miles (I 44; OK 66 / Will Rogers Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Oak Street
Turn left onto North Oak Street
Navigation decision point
5
15.5 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
96.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
I 44; OK 66 / Will Rogers Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44; OK 66 / Will Rogers Expressway toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Lawton, Amarillo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 133
Toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Lawton, Amarillo
8
112.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
|
I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway toward I 44 West, US 62 West: Lawton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 44 West, US 62 West: Lawton
7
188.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
|
US 281 Business
Take the exit onto US 281 Business toward US 281 Business South: Lawton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 39A
Toward US 281 Business South: Lawton
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ponca City, OK to Lawton, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Amarillo along the way.
Amarillo
96.9 mi in
|
~1h 44m
|
via I 44; OK 66
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| World War II Veterans Memorial Highway | 77 mi | 1h 17m |
| Harry E. Bailey Turnpike | 60.9 mi | 1h 1m |
| Will Rogers Expressway | 23.5 mi | 28m |
| US 60 | 12.2 mi | 13m |
| Pioneer Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
| Shannon Miller Parkway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Bill W. Burgess, Junior Highway | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| US 60 Business | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
— 77 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ponca City, OK and Lawton, OK.
1
Start on West Broadway Avenue
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
West Broadway Avenue
2
Turn left onto North Oak Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Oak Street
3
Turn right onto US 60 Business
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
West Grand Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 60 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Waverly Street
5
Turn right onto US 60 Business
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
US 60 Business
6
Turn straight onto US 60; US 77; US 177
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US 60; US 77; US 177
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Merge onto I 35
72 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35; US 77
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Shannon Miller Parkway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 35; OK 66
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44; OK 66
16 mi
·
19 min
·
Will Rogers Expressway
Exit 133
Toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Lawton, Amarillo
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
7.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Will Rogers Expressway
Toward I 44 West, US 62 West: Lawton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 44
61 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Toward I 44 West: Chickasha, Lawton
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Pioneer Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Bill W. Burgess, Junior Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto US 281 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 281 Business
Exit 39A
Toward US 281 Business South: Lawton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto Southwest Gore Boulevard
38 ft
·
0 sec
·
Southwest Gore Boulevard
18
Arrive at destination
Southwest Gore Boulevard
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under 3.5 hours, this trip from Ponca City to Lawton offers great flexibility; you can leave anytime that suits you. Given the relatively short distance and minimal stops recommended (just one), you won't need to plan for extensive breaks. Pay attention to your fuel levels, especially before heading onto the longer 77-mile stretch on the World War II Veterans Memorial Highway, as services can be spaced out. The $30 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always good to have a little extra buffer.
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 94.9 miles from Ponca City, OK, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77 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 80 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.9 miles or 1h 42m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lawton, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ponca City, 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 Ponca City, OK
This is one driving day of about 189.7 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ponca City, 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 World War II Veterans Memorial Highway for about 77 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 94.9 mi from Ponca City, OK · 1h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 94.9 miles from Ponca City, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before World War II Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77 miles.
Arriving in Lawton, OK
The final approach into Lawton, 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 Lawton, OK.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.66 one way
$59.31 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.56 | $65.13 |
| premium | $4.89 | $36.51 | $73.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.88 | $83.77 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.27
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
(60.9 mi)
$4.27
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
$30
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.9 | 0 | $19.92 | $9.11 |
| Efficient EV | 47.4 | 0 | $16.60 | $7.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.9 | 0 | $26.56 | $12.14 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Lawton, OK
Night in Lawton on Tuesday
Local time
11:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°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
2 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
3h 24m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ponca City, OK to Lawton, OK covers 189.7 miles and takes about 3h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are World War II Veterans Memorial Highway, Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, Will Rogers Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 94.9 miles from Ponca City, OK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.66 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 189.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 15.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 96.9 miles (I 44; OK 66 / Will Rogers Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Ponca City, OK to Lawton, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Amarillo along the way.
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