Connecting Altus to Tulsa, this 243.2-mile journey takes approximately 4 hours and 23 minutes of driving time. Because the route stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Oklahoma, you can comfortably complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget around $37 for fuel, making this a budget-friendly option for travelers moving across the state. The path relies heavily on major thoroughfares, including I-44, the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, and the Colonel Aaron C. "Burley" Burleson Memorial Highway. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this straightforward drive offers a reliable connection between these two Oklahoma hubs.
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
121.6 miles from Altus, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
87.7 mi
1h 27m
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
Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
4.7 mi
5m
Pioneer Expressway
4.6 mi
4m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
4.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 87.7 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altus, OK and Tulsa, 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
88 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 44
Exit 138AToward I 44 East: TulsaUse the slight right lane.
13
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.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 4CToward 7th Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto South Lawton Avenue West
0.1 mi·23 sec·South Lawton Avenue West
Use the left lane.
16
Turn straight onto West Heavy Traffic Way South
0.1 mi·25 sec·West Heavy Traffic Way South
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
17
Continue on West 2nd Street South
0.1 mi·26 sec·West 2nd Street South
18
At end of road, turn right onto South Frisco Avenue
386 ft·20 sec·South Frisco Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto West 3rd Street South
0.3 mi·1 min·West 3rd Street South
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto South Boulder Avenue West
390 ft·15 sec·South Boulder Avenue West
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
21
Arrive at destination
South Boulder Avenue West
Trip Plan
To keep your travel day manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop during the 4-hour and 23-minute trek. Since the route features a lengthy 87.7-mile stretch on I-44, it is wise to check your fuel levels before merging onto the interstate to ensure you don't have to hunt for a station during the longest part of the drive. Departing early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach Tulsa. Take advantage of the flexibility this single-day trip offers by keeping your schedule open, as the predictable road conditions make it easy to adjust your arrival time based on how you feel throughout the journey.
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 121.6 miles from Altus, OK, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.7 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 54 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.6 miles or 2h 12m 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 36m
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 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 243.2 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 87.7 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 47.3 and 242.1 — 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
9
237.4 mi into trip|~4h 13m 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
242.1 mi into trip|~4h 19m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.02 one way
$76.04 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$41.75
$83.49
premium
$4.89
$46.80
$93.60
diesel
$5.61
$53.70
$107.39
Estimated Tolls: $4.28
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
(61.2 mi)$4.28
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
$38
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73
0
$25.54
$11.67
Efficient EV
60.8
0
$21.28
$9.73
EV Truck/SUV
97.3
1
$34.05
$15.56
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Altus, OK
Evening
in Altus on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tulsa, OK
Evening
in Tulsa on Saturday
Local time
8:10 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
23 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 23m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With a high highway share of 78%, this is primarily a fast-paced, interstate-focused drive designed for efficiency. You will spend the vast majority of your time cruising on well-maintained arterial roads, including a significant 87.7-mile uninterrupted stretch on I-44. While the terrain remains consistent as you traverse the Great Plains, the road structure shifts between turnpikes and major highway corridors. Expect a steady, high-speed experience that favors direct travel over winding backroads. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that allows you to cover the distance quickly while maintaining a consistent pace behind the wheel.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.7 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 243.2 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Altus, OK to Tulsa, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Oklahoma City along the way.
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 4h 23m. Total distance: 243.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.7 miles on I 44. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.28 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Tulsa, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
