Connecting Lindsay to Tulsa, this 156.1-mile journey across the Oklahoma Great Plains typically takes about 3 hours and 6 minutes. Because the drive is straightforward and manageable, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $24 for fuel to cover the distance. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, including I-44, OK-59B, and the World War I Veterans Memorial Highway, providing a direct path between the two cities. If you prefer a simple, highway-focused trip, this route offers a reliable way to navigate the region efficiently.
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
78 miles from Lindsay, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
87.7 mi
1h 27m
OK 59B
13.4 mi
23m
World War I Veterans Memorial Highway
9.3 mi
11m
Helen Cole Memorial Highway
6.6 mi
7m
Doctor James E. and Representative Mina M. Hibdon Memorial Highway
5.7 mi
6m
OK 74
5 mi
8m
OK 24
5 mi
7m
Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
4.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 87.7 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lindsay, OK and Tulsa, OK.
1
Start on East Chickasaw Street
0.2 mi·1 min·East Chickasaw Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto OK 76
0.1 mi·20 sec·Southeast 4th Street
3
Turn right onto OK 19
1.0 mi·1 min·OK 19
4
Turn left onto OK 59B
13 mi·23 min·OK 59B
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Turn right onto OK 39
4.0 mi·7 min·OK 39
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
Continue on OK 24
3.0 mi·3 min·OK 24
7
At end of road, turn right onto OK 24
1.0 mi·1 min·OK 24
8
Turn left onto OK 24
1.0 mi·1 min·OK 24
9
Continue on OK 74
5.0 mi·8 min·OK 74
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Continue on OK 74
0.5 mi·55 sec·North Main Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Continue on OK 74
0.2 mi·19 sec·North Adkins Hill Road
12
Enter roundabout
190 ft·3 sec
13
Continue
0.2 mi·21 sec
14
Merge onto I 35
4.1 mi·4 min·World War I Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on I 35
5.7 mi·6 min·Doctor James E. and Representative Mina M. Hibdon Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·Helen Cole Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on I 35; US 77
5.3 mi·6 min·World War I Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 62
0.3 mi·25 sec·I 35; US 62
Toward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichita, Fort SmithUse the right lane.
19
Merge onto I 35; I 40; US 62; US 270
1.0 mi·1 min·Crosstown Expressway
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 62
2.4 mi·2 min·Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway
Toward I 35 North, US 62 East: WichitaUse the slight right lane.
21
Continue on I 35
2.9 mi·3 min·Honorable Hannah Diggs Atkins, Secretary of State, Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on I 35
4.6 mi·5 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward I 35 North, I 44 East, OK 66 EastUse the straight lane.
23
Take the exit onto I 44
88 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 44
Exit 138AToward I 44 East: TulsaUse the slight right lane.
24
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.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 4CToward 7th Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn left onto South Lawton Avenue West
0.1 mi·23 sec·South Lawton Avenue West
Use the left lane.
27
Turn straight onto West Heavy Traffic Way South
0.1 mi·25 sec·West Heavy Traffic Way South
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
28
Continue on West 2nd Street South
0.1 mi·26 sec·West 2nd Street South
29
At end of road, turn right onto South Frisco Avenue
386 ft·20 sec·South Frisco Avenue
Use the right lane.
30
Turn left onto West 3rd Street South
0.3 mi·1 min·West 3rd Street South
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
31
Turn left onto South Boulder Avenue West
390 ft·15 sec·South Boulder Avenue West
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
32
Arrive at destination
South Boulder Avenue West
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is simple since the entire trip fits well within a single day, giving you plenty of flexibility for your schedule. With only one recommended stop, you can easily pace the 3-hour journey to suit your preference for breaks. Be mindful that the majority of your time is spent on major highways, so keep an eye on traffic patterns along I-44 to ensure a smooth arrival. Since you are budgeting $24 for fuel, filling up before you leave Lindsay ensures you won't have to worry about finding a station during the longest 87.7-mile stretch of your drive.
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 78 miles from Lindsay, OK, or about 1h 45m 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 34 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78 miles or 1h 45m 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 35m
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 Lindsay, 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 Lindsay, OK
This is one driving day of about 156.1 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Lindsay, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 51.4 and 155 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
51.4 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|I 35; US 62
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 62 toward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichita, Fort Smith
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichi...
8
52.6 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|I 35; US 62 / Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 62 / Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway toward I 35 North, US 62 East: Wichita
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35 North, US 62 East: Wichita
7
62.5 mi into trip|~1h 29m 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
150.2 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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
155 mi into trip|~3h 3m 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
$24.40 one way
$48.81 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$26.80
$53.59
premium
$4.89
$30.04
$60.08
diesel
$5.61
$34.46
$68.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.8
0
$16.39
$7.49
Efficient EV
39
0
$13.66
$6.24
EV Truck/SUV
62.4
0
$21.85
$9.99
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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 18, 2026
Origin
Lindsay, OK
Late night
in Lindsay on Tuesday
Local time
4:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
E 17 to 24 mph87% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Tulsa, OK
Late night
in Tulsa on Tuesday
Local time
4:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°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
29 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
3h 6m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 70% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on high-speed roads. The journey features a significant 87.7-mile stretch on I-44, which serves as the backbone of the trip and allows for consistent cruising. While you will navigate some local segments via OK-59B and the World War I Veterans Memorial Highway, the overall character of the drive remains functional and steady. You won't encounter many technical or winding road sections, making this a predictable drive that lets you focus on steady highway miles from start to finish.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 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 OK 59B. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 51.4 miles in near I 35; 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 20 significant decision points across 156.1 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 51.4 miles (I 35; US 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.6 miles (I 35; US 62 / Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.5 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 Lindsay, OK to Tulsa, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Smith 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 6m. Total distance: 156.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). 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.
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 51.4 miles (I 35; US 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.6 miles (I 35; US 62 / Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.5 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 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Tulsa, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
