If you are planning a trip from Hennessey to Tulsa, you are looking at a straightforward 117.4-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is efficient enough that you won't need to worry about an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $18 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for your itinerary. You will be traveling entirely within the Great Plains, keeping the landscape consistent as you move across Oklahoma. Because there are no mandatory stops required by the route profile, you have the flexibility to power through or take your time depending on your schedule. Overall, it is a practical drive that balances distance and accessibility for anyone traveling between these two hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.7 miles from Hennessey, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway
35 mi
41m
Cimarron Turnpike
31.4 mi
29m
Sand Springs Expressway
14.1 mi
15m
Keystone Expressway
8.6 mi
9m
Cimarron Turnpike Spur
7.4 mi
7m
Angie Debo Memorial Highway
5 mi
5m
South Country Club Road
5 mi
8m
West 6th Avenue
3.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway
— 35 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hennessey, OK and Tulsa, OK.
1
Start on US 81
91 ft·5 sec·South Main Street
2
Continue on US 81
372 ft·12 sec·Senator Ralph J. Choate Memorial Highway
3
Continue on US 81
0.4 mi·58 sec·North Main Street
4
Turn right onto OK 51
0.5 mi·1 min·East Jack Choate Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on OK 51
12 mi·14 min·42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on OK 51; CR 62
5.0 mi·5 min·Angie Debo Memorial Highway
7
Continue on OK 51; CR 62
23 mi·26 min·42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Continue on OK 51
3.5 mi·4 min·West 6th Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn left onto CR N3300
5.0 mi·8 min·South Country Club Road
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto CR E0570
3.0 mi·5 min·McMurtry Road
11
Turn left onto US 177
0.4 mi·29 sec·North Washington Street
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·45 sec
Toward OK 312 East: Tulsa
13
Continue on OK 312
7.4 mi·7 min·Cimarron Turnpike Spur
14
Merge onto US 412
31 mi·29 min·Cimarron Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 412
5.0 mi·5 min·Keystone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 64; US 412
1.2 mi·1 min·Jerald Warden Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 64; US 412
3.6 mi·3 min·Keystone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 64; US 412
14 mi·15 min·Sand Springs Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward Quanah AvenueUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn right onto North Quanah Avenue
451 ft·22 sec·North Quanah Avenue
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto West Archer Street North
0.7 mi·2 min·West Archer Street North
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn right onto North Boulder Avenue West
0.2 mi·38 sec·North Boulder Avenue West
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
23
Arrive at destination
South Boulder Avenue West
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of being able to depart whenever works best for your personal schedule. While you could easily drive the full 2 hours and 15 minutes without a break, keep in mind that the majority of your time is spent on higher-speed roads, so plan your fuel stops before you hit the Cimarron Turnpike to avoid paying turnpike-adjacent prices. Check your tire pressure and fluid levels before leaving Hennessey, as the mix of expressway and turnpike driving can be harder on a vehicle than local cruising. Because the route is direct, use your flexibility to leave during off-peak hours to ensure a smooth transition onto the Sand Springs Expressway as you approach Tulsa. Staying mindful of your fuel consumption early on will help you stick to your estimated $18 budget.
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 58.7 miles from Hennessey, OK, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35 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 58.7 miles or 1h 13m 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 Hennessey, 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 Hennessey, OK
This is one driving day of about 117.4 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Hennessey, OK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on 42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway for about 35 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 116.5 — 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|OK 51 / East Jack Choate Avenue
Turn right onto OK 51 / East Jack Choate Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
44.5 mi into trip|~53m in|CR N3300 / South Country Club Road
Turn left onto CR N3300 / South Country Club Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
116.2 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward Quanah Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Quanah Avenue
7
116.4 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|North Quanah Avenue
Turn right onto North Quanah Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
116.5 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|West Archer Street North
Turn left onto West Archer Street North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.35 one way
$36.71 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.15
$40.30
premium
$4.89
$22.59
$45.19
diesel
$5.61
$25.92
$51.84
Estimated Tolls: $1.94
Cimarron Turnpike
(38.8 mi)$1.94
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
$18
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.2
0
$12.33
$5.64
Efficient EV
29.4
0
$10.27
$4.70
EV Truck/SUV
47
0
$16.44
$7.51
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Hennessey, OK
Morning
in Hennessey on Tuesday
Local time
7:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tulsa, OK
Morning
in Tulsa on Tuesday
Local time
7:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Pawnee, OK
59 mi in
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
3 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 15m 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?
This trip features a mixed drive profile that transitions between different road types as you head east. You will spend roughly 52% of your time on highways, utilizing a combination of the 42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway, the Cimarron Turnpike, and the Sand Springs Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 35-mile segment on the 42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway, which provides a steady pace for the first leg of your journey. As you progress, the transition from local highway stretches to the turnpike and expressway sections shifts the driving experience from rural thoroughfares to more structured, fast-paced transit. Expect a varied experience behind the wheel that keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35 mi on 42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near OK 51 / East Jack Choate Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 15m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (OK 51 / East Jack Choate Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 44.5 miles (CR N3300 / South Country Club Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 116.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
The longest stretch is about 35 miles on 42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.94 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (OK 51 / East Jack Choate Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 44.5 miles (CR N3300 / South Country Club Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 116.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tulsa, OK before heading back.
