Traveling from Alva to Tulsa covers 187.3 miles across the Oklahoma Great Plains, typically requiring about 2 hours and 57 minutes of driving time. Because the route is relatively straightforward, you can easily complete this journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $28 on fuel for the trip, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will navigate via College Avenue, Oklahoma Boulevard, and United States Border Patrol Chief Donald R. This drive serves as a practical connection between two distinct parts of the state, offering a consistent feel as you transition across the region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
94.3 miles from Alva, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cimarron Turnpike
59 mi
56m
Trooper Chris Van Krevelen Memorial Highway
24.1 mi
25m
United States Border Patrol Chief Donald R. Coppock Memorial Highway
18 mi
20m
Oklahoma Boulevard
17 mi
24m
Staff Sargeant Chris Hake Memorial Highway
15 mi
17m
Sand Springs Expressway
14.1 mi
15m
US 64
9 mi
10m
Keystone Expressway
8.6 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Cimarron Turnpike
— 59 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alva, OK and Tulsa, OK.
1
Start on West Flynn Street
113 ft·7 sec·West Flynn Street
2
Turn right onto College Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·College Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 64; OK 14
17 mi·24 min·Oklahoma Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
4
Continue on OK 11
18 mi·20 min·United States Border Patrol Chief Donald R. Coppock Memorial Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Turn right onto OK 132; CR 790
6.9 mi·7 min·OK 132; CR 790
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
Turn straight onto OK 132
1.4 mi·1 min·OK 132
Use the straight / sharp left lanes.
7
Turn slight left
307 ft·11 sec
8
Turn left onto CR 20K
0.5 mi·51 sec·Ellis Road
9
Turn right onto CR 790
2.0 mi·3 min·CR 790
10
Turn left onto US 64; OK 132
9.0 mi·10 min·US 64; OK 132
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Turn right onto US 60; US 64; US 81
15 mi·17 min·Staff Sargeant Chris Hake Memorial Highway
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto East Phillips Avenue
0.5 mi·55 sec·East Phillips Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Turn right onto Crestwood
1.0 mi·1 min·Crestwood
14
At end of road, turn left onto CR E0400
1.5 mi·2 min·Breckinridge Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Continue on CR E0400
2.0 mi·2 min·Breckenridge Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Turn right onto North 54th Street
2.5 mi·4 min·North 54th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto US 64; US 412
2.0 mi·2 min·East Owen K. Garriott Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on US 64; US 412; CR E0425
24 mi·25 min·Trooper Chris Van Krevelen Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 412
15 mi·14 min·Cimarron Turnpike
Toward US 412 East: TulsaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·7 sec
Exit 15Toward US 177: Stillwater, Ponca CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·12 sec
Exit 15Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Merge onto US 412
44 mi·41 min·Cimarron Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 412
5.0 mi·5 min·Keystone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 64; US 412
1.2 mi·1 min·Jerald Warden Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 64; US 412
3.6 mi·3 min·Keystone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 64; US 412
14 mi·15 min·Sand Springs Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward Quanah AvenueUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn right onto North Quanah Avenue
451 ft·22 sec·North Quanah Avenue
Use the right lane.
29
Turn left onto West Archer Street North
0.7 mi·2 min·West Archer Street North
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn right onto North Boulder Avenue West
0.2 mi·38 sec·North Boulder Avenue West
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
31
Arrive at destination
South Boulder Avenue West
Trip Plan
Since the trip takes just under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal schedule. Budget for one planned stop to break up the drive, ensuring you stay refreshed behind the wheel. Given the reliance on local roads, keep a close eye on your navigation to manage the frequent turns effectively. Make sure your fuel tank is ready for the 187.3-mile distance, as the $28 estimate can fluctuate based on current local prices. Prioritizing a clear route plan before leaving Alva will help you navigate the local segments of the drive with confidence.
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 94.3 miles from Alva, OK, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59 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 41 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.3 miles or 1h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 58m
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 Alva, 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 Alva, OK
This is one driving day of about 188.5 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Alva, 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 Cimarron Turnpike for about 59 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 187.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|US 64; OK 14 / Oklahoma Boulevard
Turn left onto US 64; OK 14 / Oklahoma Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7
71.9 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|CR E0400 / Breckinridge Road
At end of road, turn left onto CR E0400 / Breckinridge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
119 mi into trip|~2h 24m in
Take the exit toward US 177: Stillwater, Ponca City
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.
Exit 15
Toward US 177: Stillwater, Ponca City
8
119.1 mi into trip|~2h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 15
7
187.5 mi into trip|~3h 33m in|North Quanah Avenue
Turn right onto North Quanah Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.47 one way
$58.94 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$32.36
$64.71
premium
$4.89
$36.28
$72.55
diesel
$5.61
$41.62
$83.24
Estimated Tolls: $2.94
Cimarron Turnpike
(59 mi)$2.94
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
$29
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.6
0
$19.79
$9.05
Efficient EV
47.1
0
$16.49
$7.54
EV Truck/SUV
75.4
0
$26.39
$12.06
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Alva, OK
Night
in Alva on Saturday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tulsa, OK
Night
in Tulsa on Saturday
Local time
9:48 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
20 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
3h 36m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero percent highway usage. The path demands your full attention as you transition off local roads like College Avenue, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of the journey. Because you are navigating local infrastructure, the road personality is defined by frequent turns rather than long, monotonous highway corridors. You will find that the pace remains steady but requires active steering throughout the nearly three-hour duration. It is a drive that rewards drivers who prefer local backroads over the predictable rhythm of major expressways.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59 mi on Cimarron Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near US 64; OK 14 / Oklahoma Boulevard.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 188.5 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (US 64; OK 14 / Oklahoma Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 71.9 miles (CR E0400 / Breckinridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 119 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,348 ft703 ft
Total Climb
220 ft
Total Descent
847 ft
Highest Point
1,348 ft
Elevation Range
645 ft
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 Alva, OK to Tulsa, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Ponca 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 3h 36m. Total distance: 188.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59 miles on Cimarron Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.94 in tolls one way, starting with Cimarron 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 0.5 miles (US 64; OK 14 / Oklahoma Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 71.9 miles (CR E0400 / Breckinridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 119 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Tulsa, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
