Origin
Sallisaw, OK
Afternoon in Sallisaw on Sunday
Local time
1:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sallisaw, OK to Shawnee, OK
Drive Time
2h 17m
Distance
128.1 mi
206 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
Photo: cottonbro CG studio
Trip Overview
Traveling from Sallisaw to Shawnee covers 128.1 miles of Oklahoma landscape, typically taking about 2 hours and 17 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $19 for fuel to complete the transit. Navigating through the heart of the Great Plains, you will spend your time on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, the Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway, and North Harrison Street. This route offers a straightforward connection between these two Oklahoma hubs, making it an efficient option for travelers who prefer a direct path.
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
64.1 miles from Sallisaw, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While you will spend a significant 119.6 miles on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, the route maintains a zero-percent highway share, emphasizing local roads over high-speed transit. The personality of this drive shifts as you navigate through various turns, moving away from long, uninterrupted stretches into more technical segments. You will experience a blend of road types that keep the drive engaging for the duration of the 128.1-mile trip. Preparing for frequent adjustments in speed and steering will help you stay comfortable throughout the journey.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 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 119.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near East Iola Avenue.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 17m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (East Iola Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (I 40 Business; US 59 / Kerr Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (I 40 Business): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
East Iola Avenue
Turn right onto East Iola Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
1.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 40 Business; US 59 / Kerr Boulevard
Turn left onto I 40 Business; US 59 / Kerr Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 40 Business
Take the ramp onto I 40 Business toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City
5
2.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 40 / Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 40 / Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
123.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
Take the exit toward OK 18: Shawnee, Meeker
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 186
Toward OK 18: Shawnee, Meeker
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway | 119.6 mi | 2h |
| North Harrison Street | 3.8 mi | 8m |
| Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| East 10th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Wheeler Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Ruth Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Iola Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| I 40 Business | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
— 119.6 mi, about 2h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sallisaw, OK and Shawnee, OK.
1
Start on this road
37 ft
·
1 sec
·
this road
2
Turn slight right onto North Wheeler Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Wheeler Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto South Opdyke Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Opdyke Street
4
Turn right onto East Iola Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Iola Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Continue on West Ruth Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ruth Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
Turn left onto I 40 Business; US 59
301 ft
·
10 sec
·
Kerr Boulevard
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp onto I 40 Business
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
I 40 Business
Toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 40
66 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 40
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 40
54 mi
·
53 min
·
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 186
Toward OK 18: Shawnee, Meeker
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto OK 18
3.8 mi
·
8 min
·
North Harrison Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn right onto East 10th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 10th Street
14
Turn left onto US 270 Business
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Beard Street
15
Turn right onto West Main Street
139 ft
·
3 sec
·
West Main Street
16
Arrive at destination
West Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this 2-hour and 17-minute drive is designed as a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever best suits your schedule. Because there are no designated stops included in the route data, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave, as the estimated $19 fuel cost may fluctuate depending on your specific vehicle's efficiency. Keep in mind that the majority of your travel occurs on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, so pace yourself for that 119.6-mile stretch. Since the route is turn-heavy, prioritize staying alert during the transitions between the Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway and North Harrison Street. Taking advantage of the short duration allows you to arrive in Shawnee refreshed and ready to go.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 64.1 miles from Sallisaw, OK, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.6 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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.1 miles or 1h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shawnee, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sallisaw, 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 Sallisaw, OK
This is one driving day of about 128.1 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sallisaw, OK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway for about 119.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 64.1 mi from Sallisaw, OK · 1h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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 64.1 miles from Sallisaw, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.6 miles.
Arriving in Shawnee, OK
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.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.46 one way
$38.91 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $21.45 | $42.90 |
| premium | $4.80 | $24.18 | $48.37 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $28.46 | $56.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.4 | 0 | $13.45 | $6.15 |
| Efficient EV | 32 | 0 | $11.21 | $5.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.2 | 0 | $17.93 | $8.20 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Shawnee, OK
Afternoon in Shawnee on Sunday
Local time
1:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 17m 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 Sallisaw, OK to Shawnee, OK covers 128.1 miles and takes about 2h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, North Harrison Street, Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 64.1 miles from Sallisaw, OK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.46 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 2h 17m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (East Iola Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (I 40 Business; US 59 / Kerr Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (I 40 Business): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Sallisaw, OK to Shawnee, OK does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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