Take a smooth suburban-to-urban ride into the heart of central Oklahoma as we follow Interstate 35 south from Edmond to Oklahoma City. Over just eight miles, this corridor reveals how quickly the scenery shifts from quiet neighborhoods and retail clusters to the dense energy of a major metropolitan interchange. Along this part of the drive, it’s easy to discover things you didn’t plan on, because despite being a major interstate, this route has more nearby attractions than you’d think — from shopping districts to parks and cultural stops all just off the highway. And for travelers who love slow travel, this is one of those stretches where nearby overlooks and trails add to the trip, offering small surprises tucked into a busy suburban fabric.
We start at the junction with OK-66 and US-77 on the south side of Edmond, where the highway tightens into a modern six-lane corridor designed for the daily flow of commuters. From here, we glide southwest past commercial centers and office districts that mirror Edmond’s rapid growth. Sound walls rise beside the roadway, and the landscape alternates between wooded pockets and newly built developments. If you’re curious about what’s around you, this route has a lot to offer — especially with Memorial Road and the bustling Quail Springs area just to the west. Weekend Road Trip Hotel Discounts often pop up in these travel hubs, a reminder of how this corridor serves both locals and cross-country drivers. Even here, on the suburban edge, it’s a drive where you’ll find plenty of interesting things just off the highway.
As we continue south, the interstate dips toward Oklahoma City’s core, and the surroundings become unmistakably urban. The exit for Hefner Road appears quickly, followed by the major split with Interstate 235/US-77 — a critical connector into downtown, the medical district, and the state capitol. Overhead guide signs expand into multilayer stacks, the skyline begins to rise, and the shoulder space narrows into a signature urban trench. Travelers often find unexpected stops in these communities, from neighborhood cafés to cultural districts just a few minutes away. Despite the bustle, this is also where many visitors book lodging before exploring the city, often taking advantage of offers like Book now to receive 10% off your Red Roof Inn stay! Use VP+ Number: 614872 when settling in for a weekend of exploration.
Soon, the highway transitions into the famous I-44 curve, a sweeping interchange that arcs southwest to merge with Interstate 44. This convergence channels traffic toward the airport corridor, western suburbs, and the long east–west reach of the Will Rogers Expressway. It’s a stretch where the roadside towns still offer plenty to explore, and for those venturing farther out, nearby recreation areas even serve as gateways for RV Club travelers heading deeper into Oklahoma or onward toward the Texas plains. The route’s compact length belies how much regional connectivity it provides, tying together Edmond’s suburban rhythm with Oklahoma City’s metropolitan pulse in just a matter of minutes. If you feel like breaking up the trip, there’s plenty nearby — museums, shopping centers, parks, and some of the Best Tours in Las Vegas–style national-brand attractions that echo the broader American travel experience.
As we roll onto the westbound ramp for Interstate 44, the journey concludes just as the freeway network fans outward toward the airport, Bricktown, and the broader metro. Short though it may be, this segment of Interstate 35 captures the transition from quiet suburb to full-scale urban freeway, offering a clear look at how the region has grown — and continues to grow — around one of its most vital transportation arteries.
Note: This footage was recorded in 2017. The corridor has changed significantly since then due to ongoing development throughout the Edmond–OKC metro; however, the highway itself and the exits shown in this video remain largely the same.
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