Elmer Thomas Park
Near the end, right off the route
Lawton, Oklahoma
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+15805813400
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
2h 7m
Distance
110.7 mi
178 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tecumseh, OK
Wikimedia Commons
Lawton, OK
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a trip from Tecumseh to Lawton, you are looking at a straightforward 110.7-mile journey through the Oklahoma Great Plains. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 7 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable one-day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You will navigate using a combination of OK 9, West Walnut Street, and the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike to reach your destination. Budget approximately $17 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Because both cities are located within the Great Plains region, the landscape remains consistent throughout your travels. It is a practical, efficient route that serves well for those looking to reach Lawton without unnecessary detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.3 miles from Tecumseh, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 7m. Total distance: 110.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This drive is heavily focused on highway travel, with 69% of your trip spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a blend of local roads and faster highway transit, keeping the pace consistent. The most significant segment of your journey is a 52.6-mile stretch on the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, which offers the longest uninterrupted period of driving. While you start on regional routes like OK 9, the transition to the turnpike allows for a more direct, high-speed experience. Be prepared for the shift in road rhythm as you move from local thoroughfares onto the turnpike, which dictates the overall flow of this Oklahoma trek.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Harry E. Bailey Turnpike and West Walnut Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near OK 9 / West Walnut Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 110.7 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 0.2 miles (OK 9 / West Walnut Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 33.9 miles (OK 9): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.3 miles (OK 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto OK 9 / West Walnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto OK 9 toward I 35 South, OK 9 West: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto OK 9 toward OK 9 West: Chickasha
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 44 West: Lawton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tecumseh, OK and Lawton, OK, road signs point toward Henry E. Bailey Turnpike Spur West: Tuttle and Mustang.
Henry E. Bailey Turnpike Spur West: Tuttle
Mustang
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Harry E. Bailey Turnpike | 52.6 mi | 53m |
| West Walnut Street | 25.3 mi | 32m |
| OK 9 | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| Harry E. Bailey Turnpike Spur | 8.3 mi | 7m |
| Southeast 44th Street | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| Pioneer Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
| Bill W. Burgess, Junior Highway | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| US 281 Business | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Tecumseh, OK and Lawton, OK.
Start on North Broadway Street
Turn left onto OK 9
Continue on OK 9
Keep slight right at fork onto OK 9
Take the exit onto OK 9
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on OK 9
Continue on OK 4 Toll
Take the exit
Merge onto I 44
Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
Take the exit onto US 281 Business
Turn left onto Southwest Gore Boulevard
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid peak traffic. Given the 2-hour and 7-minute duration, you can easily complete the trip in one sitting without the need for multiple rest stops. Plan to fuel up before hitting the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike to ensure a smooth, non-stop experience during your longest stretch. Keep an eye on your speed and road signage, particularly when transitioning between West Walnut Street and the highway segments. Utilizing a single-day itinerary allows you to maximize your time in Lawton rather than spending your day on the road.
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.
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 24 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.3 miles or 1h 9m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lawton, OK than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Tecumseh, 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 Tecumseh, OK
This is one driving day of about 110.7 miles and 2h 7m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 55.3 mi from Tecumseh, OK · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 55.3 miles from Tecumseh, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Near the end, right off the route
Lawton, Oklahoma
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+15805813400
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Regular Gas
$17.31 one way
$34.61 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $19.00 | $38.00 |
| premium | $4.89 | $21.30 | $42.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.44 | $48.88 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.26
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
$17
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.2 | 0 | $11.62 | $5.31 |
| Efficient EV | 27.7 | 0 | $9.69 | $4.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.3 | 0 | $15.50 | $7.08 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Tecumseh on Friday
Local time
1:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Lawton on Friday
Local time
1:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
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.
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