Thunder on Dec 31, drones over Scissortail Park
This is leg 1 of 1, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Oklahoma City New Year's Eve
Downtown OKC & Bricktown to Lake Hefner
Downtown OKC & Bricktown and Lake Hefner sit about 14 km (8.6 mi) apart in a straight line, with Lake Hefner to the north-west. It is leg 1 of 1 on our Oklahoma City New Year's Eve itinerary, a 3-day trip. It is a short hop across town, easy by local transit, ride share or on foot.
- Straight-line distance
- 14 km · 8.6 mi
- Est. road distance
- 17–19 km
- Est. drive time
- 20–45 min
- Direction
- Heading north-west
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 25–45 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
Across town
This is a short in-city hop of about 14 km in a straight line. Our Oklahoma City New Year's Eve guide suggests public transit, ride shares or taxis and walking for getting around. By car it takes an estimated 20–45 min without traffic.
Downtown, Bricktown, Paycom Center and Scissortail Park are all walkable. On NYE 2025 the OKC Streetcar and Rapid BRT lines were fare-free and ran until 2 am. Free parking around Scissortail Park is limited, and garages near the arena fill before the game. Lake Hefner is a 20-minute drive northwest on the Lake Hefner Parkway; you need a car or rideshare for Jan 1. Will Rogers World Airport is about 15 minutes from downtown.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends, plus 2 places near the straight-line path.
When you arrive in Lake Hefner
The city's big reservoir for a windy shoreline walk and a lakeside lunch on Jan 1.
Lake Hefner Trail
A paved path around much of the 2,500-acre reservoir, popular for first-day walks, runs and bike rides.
Lake Hefner Lighthouse
The small lighthouse at the end of the East Wharf jetty, the lake's landmark and its sunset spot.
Redrock Canyon Grill
Lakeside grill at the East Wharf known for wood-fired rotisserie chicken and a patio over the water.
Stars and Stripes Park
Lakeside park on Hefner's south shore with open lawns, picnic shelters and a stretch of the shoreline trail.
Martin Park Nature Center
City nature preserve with short wooded trails along a creek and a small nature center.
Louie's Grill & Bar
Casual lakeside bar and grill next to the lighthouse, known for burgers and a deck facing the lake.
Near the way
These places from our other itineraries sit within about 2.1 km of the straight line between Downtown OKC and Lake Hefner. The road may not pass them directly, so check how far off your route they are.
Milk Bottle Grocery
Tiny 1930 building topped with a giant milk bottle on Route 66.
Picasso Cafe
Paseo Arts District restaurant with a patio and local art on the walls.
Before you leave Downtown OKC & Bricktown
Two nights for the Thunder game, the park countdown and Bricktown dinners.
Thunder New Year's Eve game
The Thunder traditionally host a Dec 31 home game at Paycom Center, a five-minute walk from Scissortail Park.
Skydance Bridge
A pedestrian bridge over I-40 shaped like the state bird, the scissor-tailed flycatcher, lit after dark.
Skirvin Hilton
Oklahoma's oldest hotel, opened in 1911 and restored in 2007, with the Red Piano Lounge off the lobby.
On this curated route
Where Downtown OKC → Lake Hefner sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Lake Hefner to Downtown OKC & Bricktown is the same 14 km in a straight line, heading south-east. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Downtown OKC to Lake Hefner: questions travelers ask
How far is Downtown OKC & Bricktown from Lake Hefner?
Downtown OKC & Bricktown is about 14 km (8.6 mi) from Lake Hefner in a straight line, with Lake Hefner to the north-west. By road, we estimate 17–19 km (10–12 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Downtown OKC & Bricktown to Lake Hefner?
An estimated 20–45 min, assuming 17–19 km of road at average speeds of 25–45 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
What is there to see between Downtown OKC & Bricktown and Lake Hefner?
Near the straight-line path we have 2 places from our curated guides, including Milk Bottle Grocery (Oklahoma City), Picasso Cafe (Oklahoma City). The road may not pass them directly, so check the detour.
Which itineraries include the trip from Downtown OKC & Bricktown to Lake Hefner?
Our Oklahoma City New Year's Eve itinerary includes this leg. Oklahoma City New Year's Eve runs about 3 days across 2 stops, best in Dec 30 – Jan 1.
Guides for both ends
- Downtown OKC & Bricktown travel guide
- Oklahoma City weather covers Downtown OKC & Bricktown
- Lake Hefner travel guide
- Lake Hefner weather best time to visit
Lake Hefner by month
Plan Downtown OKC → Lake Hefner with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.