Rogers Lane, which is US-62, runs east and west along the north edge of Lawton. The post sits on the other side of it. Going west to east you pass 52nd Street Gate, Bentley Gate at Sheridan Road, Scott Gate at Fort Sill Boulevard, and then I-44. Key Gate is one exit north on the interstate. Apache Gate is on the far north side of post, off Highway 49.
Once you have that picture in your head, picking a side of town gets a lot easier.
The six gates
| Gate | Where | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Key Gate West | I-44 Exit 41, straight into main post | Normally a 24-hour gate. It has closed for weeks at a time for barrier work, more than once. |
| Key Gate East | Same I-44 exit, the basic training side | Limited hours most of the time. It has covered for Key West during closures. |
| Scott Gate | Fort Sill Boulevard, just north of Rogers Lane | The most consistent 24-hour gate in 2026. |
| Bentley Gate | Sheridan Road, just north of Rogers Lane | The visitor gate. The Visitor Welcome Center is right there. Hours have swung between all day and daytime only. |
| 52nd Street Gate | NW 52nd Street, north of Rogers Lane | A short weekday-morning commuter gate. |
| Apache Gate | North side of post, off Highway 49 near I-44 Exit 45 | The commercial and delivery truck gate. Weekday and Saturday hours, closed Sundays. |
Do not plan your commute around published gate hours. In 2026 alone, three official and news sources gave three different sets of hours for Bentley Gate within about three months. Key Gate West was reported closed again in September. The reliable sources are the My Army Post app and Fort Sill's own gate page. Check the week you arrive, and check again when something feels off.
Which gate for which side of Lawton
Most of central Lawton is within three to seven road miles of a gate. The times below come off a map with no traffic and no wait at the gate, so treat them as the best case. Morning and evening rush add to every one of them.
| Coming from | Closest gate | About |
|---|---|---|
| Central Lawton | Scott, straight up Fort Sill Boulevard | 3 miles, 5 minutes |
| East side | Scott or Key, about equal | 5 to 7 miles, 9 to 12 minutes |
| West side | Bentley all day, 52nd Street on weekday mornings | 6 to 7 miles, 10 minutes |
| South side | Bentley by Sheridan Road, or Scott | 5 miles, 8 to 10 minutes |
If you already know where on post you will work, that matters more than the gate. Key Gate drops you at main post and the training side. Bentley and Scott come in from the south. Ask your sponsor which gate people in your unit actually use.
From the towns outside Lawton
| Town | Closest gate | Next closest |
|---|---|---|
| Elgin | Apache, about 12 minutes | Key, about 17 minutes |
| Fletcher | Apache, about 18 minutes | Key, about 23 minutes |
| Medicine Park | Apache, about 11 minutes | Key or Scott, about 18 minutes |
| Cache | Bentley, about 17 minutes | Scott, about 18 minutes |
| Geronimo | Scott, about 20 minutes | Bentley, about 22 minutes |
Two things about the north side. Apache Gate is the closest gate for Elgin, Fletcher and Medicine Park, but it keeps daytime hours and closes Sundays, so your early or late trips go through Key Gate. And I-44 is free between Lawton and Exit 46. North of that it is the H.E. Bailey Turnpike and it is tolled. From Elgin or Fletcher you either pay the toll or take US-277 down through Porter Hill.
If somebody in the car does not have a DoD ID
This one catches people. Every adult without a military, dependent, or retiree ID needs a visitor pass to get on post, and every visitor in the vehicle gets checked. Fort Sill does not take part in the Trusted Traveler Program, so you cannot vouch your guests through on your own ID.
- Passes come from the Visitor Welcome Center, Building 6701 on Sheridan Road, just south of Bentley Gate. A lot of people still call it the Visitor Control Center.
- Bring a REAL ID or two valid forms of identification. There is a background check.
- With a REAL ID you can request the pass online ahead of time. Do it at least 24 hours before you need it. Without one you go in person.
- The center is not open around the clock. When it is closed, passes are issued at Bentley Gate.
If you are house hunting before you report, or you have family coming to help you move in, sort this out before anybody is sitting at the gate. Graduation and family day guests need passes too.
What this means when you pick a house
A ten-minute difference in the drive does not sound like much. Twice a day for three years, it adds up. Before you write an offer, drive it at the time you would actually be going to work. I can tell you what a house costs. Only you can tell me what the drive is worth.
I do not rank sides of town. If it helps, I will pull everything listed near the gate you will use and you can compare actual houses.
Common questions
Which Fort Sill gate is open 24 hours?
Scott Gate on Fort Sill Boulevard has been the most consistent 24-hour gate in 2026. Key Gate West off I-44 is normally 24 hours too, but it has had several long closures for barrier work since 2025. Check the My Army Post app or Fort Sill's gate page before you count on any of them.
What does a visitor need to get on Fort Sill?
Every adult without a DoD ID needs a visitor pass and a background check. Bring a REAL ID or two valid forms of identification. Passes come from the Visitor Welcome Center on Sheridan Road, just south of Bentley Gate, and REAL ID holders can request one online at least 24 hours ahead.
How long is the commute from Elgin or Cache to Fort Sill?
From Elgin it is roughly 12 minutes to Apache Gate when that gate is open and about 17 minutes to Key Gate. From Cache it is about 17 minutes to Bentley Gate. Those are map estimates with no traffic and no wait at the gate.