Altus, OK to Bixby, OK is 249 miles and takes about 4h 32m via I 44, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, moving from western Oklahoma to the northeastern part of the state. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a relatively straightforward trip. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
124.5 miles from Altus, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
82.4 mi
1h 22m
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
61.2 mi
1h 2m
Colonel Aaron C. "Burley" Burleson Memorial Highway
45 mi
50m
Will Rogers Expressway
23.6 mi
28m
US 62
7.4 mi
8m
West 151st Street South
7.3 mi
10m
Creek Turnpike
4.8 mi
5m
Pioneer Expressway
4.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 82.4 mi, about 1h 22m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,075 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,554
Quietest
2 AM
~170 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altus, OK and Bixby, OK.
1
Start on US 283; OK 6
97 ft·10 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 62
2.3 mi·5 min·East Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on US 62
45 mi·50 min·Colonel Aaron C. "Burley" Burleson Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 62
7.2 mi·8 min·US 62
Toward Rogers LaneUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto US 62
0.3 mi·32 sec·US 62
6
Merge onto I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
1.4 mi·1 min·Bill W. Burgess, Junior Highway
Toward I 44 East, US 62 East, US 277 North, US 281 North: Oklahoma City
7
Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
4.6 mi·4 min·Pioneer Expressway
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 44
61 mi·1 hr 2 min·Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Toward I 44 East: Chickasha, Oklahoma CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 44; US 62
16 mi·18 min·Will Rogers Expressway
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
7.7 mi·9 min·Will Rogers Expressway
Toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: TulsaUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 35; I 44; OK 66
4.2 mi·4 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto I 44
82 mi·1 hr 22 min·I 44
Exit 138AToward I 44 East: TulsaUse the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit onto OK 364
4.8 mi·5 min·Creek Turnpike
Exit 218BToward OK 364 East: Jenks, Broken Arrow, JoplinUse the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 75 South: OkmulgeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto US 75
3.9 mi·5 min·Okmulgee Beeline
Toward US 75 South: OkmulgeeUse the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward OK 67: Kiefer, BixbyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto OK 67
7.3 mi·10 min·West 151st Street South
Toward OK 67 East: BixbyUse the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto North Armstrong Street
0.2 mi·42 sec·North Armstrong Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Armstrong Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 32m estimated drive time, leaving Altus, OK in the morning will allow you to reach Bixby, OK with plenty of daylight remaining. The route is designed for a single day, so you can be flexible with your timing and any brief stops you might need. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $44, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially before longer stretches on I 44. The transition from highway to surface roads will be your cue to start looking for services in your destination area.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 124.5 miles from Altus, OK, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.4 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 55 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.5 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bixby, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Altus, 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 Altus, OK
This is one driving day of about 249 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Altus, OK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 44 for about 82.4 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 47.3 and 241.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
47.3 mi into trip|~55m in|US 62
Keep slight right at fork onto US 62 toward Rogers Lane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Rogers Lane
8
137.8 mi into trip|~2h 31m in|I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: Tulsa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: Tulsa
7
149.7 mi into trip|~2h 46m in|I 44
Take the exit onto I 44 toward I 44 East: Tulsa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 138A
Toward I 44 East: Tulsa
8
232.1 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|OK 364 / Creek Turnpike
Take the exit onto OK 364 / Creek Turnpike toward OK 364 East: Jenks, Broken Arrow, Joplin
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 218B
Toward OK 364 East: Jenks, Broken Arrow, Joplin
7
241.3 mi into trip|~4h 20m in
Take the exit toward OK 67: Kiefer, Bixby
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward OK 67: Kiefer, Bixby
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.40 one way
$82.80 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$45.09
$90.19
premium
$5.18
$50.81
$101.62
diesel
$5.35
$52.45
$104.89
Estimated Tolls: $4.61
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
(61.2 mi)$4.28
Creek Turnpike
(4.8 mi)$0.33
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
$41
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.7
0
$26.15
$11.95
Efficient EV
62.3
0
$21.79
$9.96
EV Truck/SUV
99.6
1
$34.86
$15.94
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Altus, OK
Afternoon
in Altus on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy
ESE 6 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bixby, OK
Afternoon
in Bixby on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph2% chanceLive 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
1 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
4h 32m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Oklahoma City National Memorial
National Memorial
The outdoor symbolic memorial is a place of quiet reflection, honoring victims, survivors, rescuers, and all who were changed forever on April 19, 1995. It encompasses the now sacred soil where the Al...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
$18
near mile 137.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 74% of the 249 miles on major roads like I 44 and the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 82.4 miles on I 44 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a consistent cruising experience with a high percentage of highway driving, characteristic of long-distance travel across the plains.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.4 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and Harry E. Bailey Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 47.3 miles in near US 62.
Driving Effort8/10
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 249 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 47.3 miles (US 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.8 miles (I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.7 miles (I 44): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,397 ft601 ft
Total Climb
330 ft
Total Descent
1,125 ft
Highest Point
1,397 ft
Elevation Range
796 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Altus, OK and Bixby, OK, road signs point toward Oklahoma City, Broken Arrow and Joplin.
Altus is in the Great Plains Country region of southwest Oklahoma and is a military town with the presence of Altus Air Force Base nearby. In the beginning, it served as a trading post for the Great Western Cattle Trail.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 32m. Total distance: 249 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.4 miles on I 44. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.61 in tolls one way, starting with Harry E. Bailey 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.
Yes — we found about 20 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Bixby, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 47.3 miles (US 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.8 miles (I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.7 miles (I 44): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Oklahoma City National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Bixby, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
