Traveling from Ada to Tulsa covers 119 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 14 minutes. This route stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Oklahoma, making it a straightforward journey that is easily manageable in a single day. You will primarily navigate via the Veterans Memorial Highway, the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike, and the Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, it is an affordable excursion for those looking to reach Tulsa efficiently. Because the drive is relatively short, you do not need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have extra time to explore your destination. It is a practical, no-nonsense trip that gets you from point A to point B without requiring complex planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.5 miles from Ada, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
57.4 mi
1h 6m
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
42 mi
40m
Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
4.7 mi
5m
South 8th Avenue
4.4 mi
5m
Jim Thorpe Boulevard
3.3 mi
3m
South Milt Phillips Avenue
2.9 mi
3m
Skelly Bypass
1.2 mi
1m
North Broadway Avenue
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 57.4 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ada, OK and Tulsa, OK.
1
Start on East Main Street
96 ft·5 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn right onto North Broadway Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·North Broadway Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto US 377; OK 1; OK 99
0.3 mi·34 sec·J. A. Richardson Loop
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp onto US 377; OK 1; OK 99
0.3 mi·20 sec·US 377; OK 1; OK 99
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 377; OK 99
30 mi·35 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 377; OK 3E; OK 99
2.9 mi·3 min·South Milt Phillips Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on OK 99; US 377
14 mi·16 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on OK 99; US 377
3.3 mi·3 min·Jim Thorpe Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
9
Continue on OK 99; US 377
13 mi·14 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Continue on OK 99; US 377
4.4 mi·5 min·South 8th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
314 ft·7 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·23 sec·this road
13
Turn slight right
510 ft·13 sec
Toward I 44 East: Tulsa
14
Merge onto I 44
42 mi·40 min·Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on I 44; OK 66
1.2 mi·1 min·Skelly Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 244
4.7 mi·5 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
Exit 223AToward I 244 East, OK 344 North: Tulsa, Sand SpringsUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 4CToward 7th Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto South Lawton Avenue West
0.1 mi·23 sec·South Lawton Avenue West
Use the left lane.
19
Turn straight onto West Heavy Traffic Way South
0.1 mi·25 sec·West Heavy Traffic Way South
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
20
Continue on West 2nd Street South
0.1 mi·26 sec·West 2nd Street South
21
At end of road, turn right onto South Frisco Avenue
386 ft·20 sec·South Frisco Avenue
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto West 3rd Street South
0.3 mi·1 min·West 3rd Street South
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
23
Turn left onto South Boulder Avenue West
390 ft·15 sec·South Boulder Avenue West
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
24
Arrive at destination
South Boulder Avenue West
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively quick trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You will not need to map out multiple rest stops, as the 119-mile distance is easily completed in one go. Keep your $18 fuel budget in mind as you prepare, and consider filling up before you leave Ada to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted run. If you want to avoid heavy congestion, checking local traffic reports for the turnpike and expressway sections before you head out is a smart move. Because the route is direct, use the extra time you save on the road to maximize your schedule once you arrive in Tulsa.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.5 miles from Ada, OK, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.4 miles.
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 26 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.5 miles or 1h 10m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tulsa, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ada, 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 Ada, OK
This is one driving day of about 119 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Ada, OK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Veterans Memorial Highway for about 57.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 69.6 and 118.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
69.6 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
113.2 mi into trip|~2h 5m in|I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway toward I 244 East, OK 344 North: Tulsa, Sand Springs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 223A
Toward I 244 East, OK 344 North: Tulsa, Sand Sp...
8
117.9 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward 7th Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4C
Toward 7th Street, Downtown
7
118.6 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|South Frisco Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto South Frisco Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
118.6 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|West 3rd Street South
Turn left onto West 3rd Street South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.60 one way
$37.21 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.43
$40.85
premium
$4.89
$22.90
$45.80
diesel
$5.61
$26.27
$52.55
Estimated Tolls: $2.10
Turner Turnpike
(42 mi)$2.10
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
$19
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.6 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
35.7
0
$12.49
$5.71
Efficient EV
29.8
0
$10.41
$4.76
EV Truck/SUV
47.6
0
$16.66
$7.62
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Ada, OK
Night
in Ada on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tulsa, OK
Night
in Tulsa on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 14m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Springs, streams, lakes - whatever its form, water is the attraction at Chickasaw National Recreation Area.
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between different types of roadways. Roughly 40% of your travel occurs on highways, providing a blend of speed and steady cruising. Your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 57.4 miles on the Veterans Memorial Highway, allowing you to settle into a consistent rhythm behind the wheel. As you move toward the turnpike and expressway sections, the pace of the drive shifts to accommodate faster traffic flow. This combination of segments ensures that you won't be stuck on a monotonous stretch for the entire duration, keeping the experience engaging throughout the two-hour transit.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.4 mi on Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 69.6 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 119 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 69.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.2 miles (I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Tulsa calls itself the "Oil Capital of the World." Here, the age of the oil boom found its center. A small town by US standards, metropolitan luxuries such as theater, fine dining, nightlife, and shopping are found in a state known for sparsely populated farming communities. The picturesque downtown is surrounded by rolling hills covered with prairie grasses and ancient forests, a first impression that soon reveals world-class architecture and museums of art, miles of biking and walking trails, and huge parks. With a wealth of iconic sights and neighborhoods to explore, a trip to Tulsa can easily fit several weeks of touring.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 119 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (40%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.4 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.10 in tolls one way, starting with Turner Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Tulsa, OK before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 69.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.2 miles (I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chickasaw National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tulsa, OK before heading back.
