How far is Shawnee, OK from Poteau, OK?
The driving distance from Shawnee, OK to Poteau, OK is about 160.4 miles (258.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 131.4 miles (211.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 58m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Shawnee and Poteau.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shawnee and Poteau.
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1
Start on West Main Street
1417 ft · 39 sec · West Main Street
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2
Turn right onto North Kickapoo Street
3.8 mi · 8 min · North Kickapoo Street
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3
Turn right onto West Interstate Parkway
138 m · 15 sec · West Interstate Parkway
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4
Take the ramp left toward I 40 East: Fort Smith
865 ft · 22 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
54.8 mi · 55 min · Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
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6
Continue on Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
1.4 mi · 1 min · Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
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7
Continue on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
65.9 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 Business East, US 59: Sallisaw, Poteau
1297 ft · 32 sec
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9
Turn right onto Kerr Boulevard
20 mi · 24 min · Kerr Boulevard
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10
Turn right
109 m · 8 sec
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11
Continue straight
608 ft · 10 sec
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12
Continue straight
12.1 mi · 19 min
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13
Turn right onto Circle Drive
650 ft · 12 sec · Circle Drive
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14
Continue on Paul Mathies Drive
1.4 km · 2 min · Paul Mathies Drive
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15
Turn left onto Beard Avenue
1919 ft · 42 sec · Beard Avenue
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16
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Broadway Street
35 m · 6 sec · South Broadway Street
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17
Turn right onto Dewey Avenue
17 m · 1 sec · Dewey Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Dewey Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Shawnee and Poteau.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Continue on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
65.9 mi · 01h 06m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Shawnee and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Poteau.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Shawnee to Poteau?
The road trip is about 160.4 miles (258.1 km) and usually takes 02h 58m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Checotah is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.1 miles from Shawnee and 80.3 miles from Poteau.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 131.4 miles (211.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 29 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:32 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.43 one way or $42.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Shawnee and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Poteau.
Stop Ideas Near Checotah
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Checotah.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Shawnee and Poteau. Straight-line distance: 131.33 mi (211.36 km).
#1 Shawnee
City in Oklahoma, United States
| Population | 31,555 |
| Coordinates | 35.3272900, -96.9253000 |
| Altitude | 323 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Poteau
City in Oklahoma
| Population | 8,906 |
| Coordinates | 35.0537100, -94.6235600 |
| Altitude | 149 |
| Country | United States |
End: Poteau (-94.62356, 35.05371)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 258 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $21.43 | $42.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $24.11 | $48.21 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $26.18 | $52.36 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $30.65 | $61.30 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Oklahoma · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.