Chickasaw National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Springs, streams, lakes - whatever its form, water is the attraction at Chickasaw National Recreation Area.
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 2m
Distance
150.9 mi
243 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Stillwater, OK
Wikimedia Commons
Atoka, OK
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Stillwater, OK to Atoka, OK covers 150.9 miles and takes about 3h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Jardot Road, J. A. Richardson Loop, OK 3W for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 73.1 miles on South Jardot Road. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.59 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
75.5 miles from Stillwater, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 2m. Total distance: 150.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (1%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Expect a 3h 2m drive with frequent turns across 150.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 177 / South Perkins Road.
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 150.9 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.4 miles (US 177 / South Perkins Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (OK 33; CR EW71; US 177 / East 116th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 102.7 miles (OK 3W): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto US 177 / South Perkins Road
Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn left onto OK 33; CR EW71; US 177 / East 116th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto OK 3W toward OK 1 West, OK 3 East: Roff, Coalgate
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto North Arno Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Rose Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Stillwater, OK to Atoka, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Coalgate along the way.
Coalgate
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Jardot Road | 73.1 mi | 1h 26m |
| J. A. Richardson Loop | 32.3 mi | 37m |
| OK 3W | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| South Broadway Street | 11.5 mi | 14m |
| South Perkins Road | 9 mi | 11m |
| OK 3 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| North Main Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| West Sandy Creek Road | 1 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Stillwater, OK and Atoka, OK.
Start on OK 51
Turn right onto US 177
At end of road, turn left onto OK 33; CR EW71; US 177
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto US 177
Continue on US 177
Continue on OK 3W
Continue on OK 3W
Continue on OK 3W
Take the exit onto OK 3W
Merge onto OK 1; OK 3
Continue on OK 3; US 75
Turn right onto North Arno Street
Turn left onto West Hanover Avenue
Turn right onto South Stacy Street
Continue on Veterans Drive
Continue on South Railroad Street
Turn left onto East Taylor Avenue
Turn right onto OK 3; US 75
Turn right onto Rose Avenue
Turn left onto West Sandy Creek Road
Turn right onto North California Avenue
Turn left onto West Court Street
Turn right onto US 69; US 75; OK 3
Arrive at destination
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.
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 33 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.5 miles or 1h 32m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atoka, OK than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Stillwater, 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 Stillwater, OK
This is one driving day of about 150.9 miles and 3h 2m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.5 mi from Stillwater, OK · 1h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 75.5 miles from Stillwater, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Atoka, 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 Atoka, OK.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Recreation Area
Springs, streams, lakes - whatever its form, water is the attraction at Chickasaw National Recreation Area.
National Memorial
The outdoor symbolic memorial is a place of quiet reflection, honoring victims, survivors, rescuers, and all who were changed forever on April 19, 1995. It encompasses the now sacred soil where the Al...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$23.59 one way
$47.18 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $25.90 | $51.81 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.04 | $58.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.32 | $66.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.3 | 0 | $15.84 | $7.24 |
| Efficient EV | 37.7 | 0 | $13.20 | $6.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.4 | 0 | $21.13 | $9.66 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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
Late night in Stillwater on Saturday
Local time
12:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Atoka on Saturday
Local time
12:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
72°F
Tecumseh, OK
75 mi in
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Stillwater, OK or browse trips ending in Atoka, OK.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse OK road trips.