Madill, OK to Tulsa, OK is 173.1 miles and takes about 3h 19m via Veterans Memorial Highway and Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you across the Great Plains region of Oklahoma, offering a straightforward drive. The route primarily utilizes turnpike and local roads, so expect a bit of navigation. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this is a manageable one-day journey.
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
86.6 miles from Madill, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
72.2 mi
1h 24m
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
42 mi
40m
J. A. Richardson Loop
36.5 mi
42m
Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
4.7 mi
5m
South 8th Avenue
4.4 mi
5m
Jim Thorpe Boulevard
3.3 mi
3m
South Milt Phillips Avenue
2.9 mi
3m
North Kemp Avenue
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 72.2 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madill, OK and Tulsa, OK.
1
Start on US 377; OK 99; OK 199
207 ft·9 sec·East Main Street
2
Enter roundabout onto US 377; OK 99; OK 199
509 ft·19 sec·East Main Street
3
Continue on US 377; OK 99; OK 199
0.4 mi·56 sec·East Main Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto US 377; OK 99
12 mi·14 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Continue on US 377; OK 22; OK 99
1.1 mi·2 min·West Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn left onto US 377; OK 99
1.8 mi·2 min·North Kemp Avenue
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on US 377; OK 99
17 mi·19 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
Continue on OK 99; US 377
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Continue on US 377; OK 3E; OK 99
16 mi·19 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Take the ramp onto US 377; OK 99
0.2 mi·32 sec·Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward OK 3 West, US 377 North, OK 99 North: AdaUse the straight / left lanes.
11
Merge onto US 377; OK 3; OK 99
37 mi·42 min·J. A. Richardson Loop
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 377; OK 3E; OK 99
2.9 mi·3 min·South Milt Phillips Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on OK 99; US 377
14 mi·16 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on OK 99; US 377
3.3 mi·3 min·Jim Thorpe Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Continue on OK 99; US 377
13 mi·14 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Continue on OK 99; US 377
4.4 mi·5 min·South 8th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
314 ft·7 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·23 sec·this road
19
Turn slight right
510 ft·13 sec
Toward I 44 East: Tulsa
20
Merge onto I 44
42 mi·40 min·Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on I 44; OK 66
1.2 mi·1 min·Skelly Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
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.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 4CToward 7th Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
24
Turn left onto South Lawton Avenue West
0.1 mi·23 sec·South Lawton Avenue West
Use the left lane.
25
Turn straight onto West Heavy Traffic Way South
0.1 mi·25 sec·West Heavy Traffic Way South
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
26
Continue on West 2nd Street South
0.1 mi·26 sec·West 2nd Street South
27
At end of road, turn right onto South Frisco Avenue
386 ft·20 sec·South Frisco Avenue
Use the right lane.
28
Turn left onto West 3rd Street South
0.3 mi·1 min·West 3rd Street South
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
29
Turn left onto South Boulder Avenue West
390 ft·15 sec·South Boulder Avenue West
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
30
Arrive at destination
South Boulder Avenue West
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 19m estimated drive time, starting your journey in the morning from Madill, OK, allows ample time to reach Tulsa, OK, before evening. The route has one suggested stop, but with its manageable length, you can adjust your pace as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 72.2 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. Planning your fuel stops proactively will ensure a smooth trip to Tulsa.
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 86.6 miles from Madill, OK, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.2 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 38 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.6 miles or 1h 44m 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 45m
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 Madill, 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 Madill, OK
This is one driving day of about 173.1 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Madill, 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 Veterans Memorial Highway for about 72.2 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 49.1 and 172.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
49.1 mi into trip|~1h 1m in|US 377; OK 99 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Take the ramp onto US 377; OK 99 / Veterans Memorial Highway toward OK 3 West, US 377 North, OK 99 North: Ada
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward OK 3 West, US 377 North, OK 99 North: Ad...
7
123.7 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
167.3 mi into trip|~3h 10m 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
172 mi into trip|~3h 16m 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
7
172.7 mi into trip|~3h 18m in|South Frisco Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto South Frisco Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.06 one way
$54.12 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.71
$59.43
premium
$4.89
$33.31
$66.62
diesel
$5.61
$38.22
$76.44
Estimated Tolls: $2.10
Turner Turnpike
(42 mi)$2.10
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
$27
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.9
0
$18.18
$8.31
Efficient EV
43.3
0
$15.15
$6.92
EV Truck/SUV
69.2
0
$24.23
$11.08
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Madill, OK
Night
in Madill on Saturday
Local time
11:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tulsa, OK
Night
in Tulsa on Saturday
Local time
11:20 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
12 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 19m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Springs, streams, lakes - whatever its form, water is the attraction at Chickasaw National Recreation Area.
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 29.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with a significant portion, 27%, on highways. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 72.2 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. While there are highway segments, the overall profile suggests frequent changes in direction and road type, demanding your attention. Expect a mix of faster driving on the turnpike and more intricate navigation through local roads as you approach your destination.
Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.2 mi on Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 49.1 miles in near US 377; OK 99 / Veterans Memorial Highway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 173.1 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 49.1 miles (US 377; OK 99 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.3 miles (I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 19m. Total distance: 173.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.2 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.10 in tolls one way, starting with Turner 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 49.1 miles (US 377; OK 99 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.3 miles (I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chickasaw National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Tulsa, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
