Origin
Shawnee, OK
Afternoon in Shawnee on Sunday
Local time
2:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Shawnee, OK to Midwest City, OK
Drive Time
40m
Distance
31.6 mi
51 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 37m
★
6 AM
0h 40m
8 AM
0h 47m
10 AM
0h 42m
12 PM
0h 42m
3 PM
0h 43m
5 PM
0h 46m
8 PM
0h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shawnee, OK
cottonbro CG studio
Midwest City, OK
John Hill
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion across the Great Plains, the 31.6-mile trek from Shawnee to Midwest City is an efficient option. You can comfortably complete this drive in about 40 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $5, this route is as budget-friendly as it is convenient. You will navigate primarily via the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, Tinker Diagonal, and US 177. Because the duration is so brief, there is no need to worry about overnight logistics, allowing you total flexibility for your schedule. It is a straightforward, practical link between these two Oklahoma communities.
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
15.8 miles from Shawnee, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. While about 16 miles are spent on the highway, the route shifts frequently as you transition between thoroughfares. You will experience your longest uninterrupted stretch for 15.9 miles while traveling along the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. The personality of this drive is less about a monotonous interstate grind and more about navigating the specific local infrastructure connecting the two cities. Be prepared for the changing road conditions as you move from the highway portions onto the more technical local road segments.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 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 15.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 1.6 miles in near US 177; US 270.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 31.6 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 1.6 miles (US 177; US 270): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles (OK 3W; US 270): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.9 miles (OK 3W; US 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 177; US 270
Merge onto US 177; US 270
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
6.6 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
OK 3W; US 270
Take the exit onto OK 3W; US 270 toward OK 3E East, OK 3 West, I 40, US 270: Oklahoma City, Fort Smith
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.
Toward OK 3E East, OK 3 West, I 40, US 270: Okl...
8
6.9 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
OK 3W; US 270
Keep slight left at fork onto OK 3W; US 270 toward OK 3 West, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward OK 3 West, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklah...
6
23.5 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
31.5 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
Felix Place
Turn left onto Felix Place
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Shawnee, OK to Midwest City, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Smith along the way.
Fort Smith
6.6 mi in
|
~9m
|
via OK 3W; US 270
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway | 15.9 mi | 17m |
| Tinker Diagonal | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| US 177 | 5 mi | 5m |
| Southeast 15th Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| South Douglas Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| OK 3W | 1 mi | 2m |
| West Farrall Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Beard Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
— 15.9 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shawnee, OK and Midwest City, OK.
1
Start on West Main Street
139 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 270 Business
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Beard Street
3
Turn right onto OK 18; US 270 Business
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Farrall Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
5
Merge onto US 177; US 270
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
US 177; US 270
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto OK 3W; US 270
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
OK 3W; US 270
Toward OK 3E East, OK 3 West, I 40, US 270: Oklahoma City, Fort Smith
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto OK 3W; US 270
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
OK 3W; US 270
Toward OK 3 West, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma City
Use the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 40; US 270; OK 3
16 mi
·
17 min
·
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40; US 270
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Tinker Diagonal
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 159B
11
Keep slight right at fork
375 ft
·
9 sec
12
Turn straight onto South Douglas Boulevard
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Douglas Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn left onto Southeast 15th Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast 15th Street
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto Felix Place
115 ft
·
7 sec
·
Felix Place
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right
34 ft
·
4 sec
16
Turn right
34 ft
·
2 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 40-minute run, you have the advantage of choosing a departure time that fits perfectly into your day without needing to stress over rest stops. You will not need to plan for any scheduled stops along the way, as the distance is short enough to drive straight through. Keep in mind that the route is defined by its turn-heavy nature, so stay alert as you transition onto the Tinker Diagonal. Budgeting $5 for fuel should easily cover your travel needs for this distance. Take advantage of the route's brevity to enjoy a flexible itinerary that allows you to arrive in Midwest City exactly when you need to be there.
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 15.8 miles from Shawnee, OK, or about 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.9 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 31.6 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.8 miles or 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Midwest City, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Shawnee, 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 Shawnee, OK
This is one driving day of about 31.6 miles and 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Shawnee, 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 15.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.8 mi from Shawnee, OK · 20m 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 31.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.8 miles from Shawnee, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Midwest City, OK
The final approach into Midwest City, 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 Midwest City, 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
$4.80 one way
$9.60 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.29 | $10.58 |
| premium | $4.80 | $5.97 | $11.93 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.02 | $14.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.1 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 | 9.5 | 0 | $3.32 | $1.52 |
| Efficient EV | 7.9 | 0 | $2.77 | $1.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.42 | $2.02 |
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Midwest City, OK
Afternoon in Midwest City on Sunday
Local time
2:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°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
5 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
40m 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 Shawnee, OK to Midwest City, OK covers 31.6 miles and takes about 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, Tinker Diagonal, US 177. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.8 miles from Shawnee, OK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.80 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 demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 31.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (US 177; US 270): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles (OK 3W; US 270): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.9 miles (OK 3W; US 270): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Shawnee, OK to Midwest City, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Smith along the way.
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