Spanning 238 miles across the Oklahoma Great Plains, this drive from Muskogee to Alva typically takes about 4 hours and 32 minutes behind the wheel. Because the duration is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete this trip without an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize the Muskogee Turnpike, the Cimarron Turnpike, and US 64 to navigate between these two points. Budgeting approximately $36 for fuel should cover your needs for the journey. It is a straightforward, highway-focused route that serves as an efficient connection across the state. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this path offers a consistent experience from start to finish.
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
119 miles from Muskogee, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cimarron Turnpike
58.9 mi
56m
US 64
26.1 mi
35m
Muskogee Turnpike
25.3 mi
23m
Norma A. Lamb Highway
24.5 mi
26m
OK 11
17.9 mi
20m
US 60
15 mi
17m
Sand Springs Expressway
14.5 mi
16m
Broken Arrow Expressway
11.7 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
Cimarron Turnpike
— 58.9 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Muskogee, OK and Alva, OK.
1
Start on US 62 Business; US 64 Business
1.9 mi·4 min·West Okmulgee Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto US 62; US 69; OK 16
3.4 mi·5 min·North 32nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on US 69
2.9 mi·3 min·Specialist Joshua M. "Bubba" Seals Memorial Bridge
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward TulsaUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto OK 351
25 mi·23 min·Muskogee Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on OK 51
3.4 mi·3 min·Disabled American Veterans Highway
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on OK 51
380 ft·5 sec·Representative David Brumbaugh Memorial Bridge
8
Continue on OK 51
12 mi·14 min·Broken Arrow Expressway
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64; OK 51
0.3 mi·27 sec·Inner Dispersal Loop
Toward OK 51 West, US 64 West, I 244 East: Sand Springs, JoplinUse the straight lane.
10
Merge onto I 244; US 64; OK 51
0.5 mi·41 sec·Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
11
Take the exit onto US 64; OK 51
0.3 mi·43 sec·42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway
Exit 5BToward US 64 West, US 412 West, OK 51 West: Sand SpringsUse the left lane.
12
Merge onto US 64; US 412; OK 51
14 mi·16 min·Sand Springs Expressway
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 64; US 412
3.6 mi·3 min·Keystone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 64; US 412
1.2 mi·1 min·Jerald Warden Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 64; US 412
5.1 mi·5 min·Keystone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 412
31 mi·29 min·Cimarron Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 412
28 mi·27 min·Cimarron Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 64; US 412
24 mi·26 min·Norma A. Lamb Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 64; US 412
2.0 mi·2 min·East Owen K. Garriott Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn right onto North 54th Street
2.5 mi·4 min·North 54th Street
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto Breckenridge Road
2.0 mi·2 min·Breckenridge Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22
Continue on Breckinridge Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Breckinridge Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
23
Turn right onto Crestwood
1.0 mi·1 min·Crestwood
24
Turn left onto East Phillips Avenue
0.5 mi·54 sec·East Phillips Avenue
25
Turn right onto US 60; US 64; US 81
15 mi·17 min·US 60; US 64; US 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn left onto US 64
8.2 mi·9 min·US 64
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
Continue on US 64; OK 132
0.8 mi·59 sec·US 64; OK 132
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
28
Turn right onto CR 790
2.0 mi·3 min·CR 790
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
29
Turn left onto CR 20K
0.5 mi·51 sec·Ellis Road
30
Turn right
307 ft·7 sec
31
Turn straight onto OK 132
8.4 mi·9 min·OK 132
Use the straight / sharp left lanes.
32
Turn left onto OK 11; CR 28K
18 mi·20 min·OK 11; CR 28K
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
33
Continue on US 64
17 mi·24 min·US 64
Use the straight / left lanes.
34
Turn right onto College Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·College Avenue
35
Turn left onto West Flynn Street
113 ft·3 sec·West Flynn Street
36
Arrive at destination
West Flynn Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 32-minute journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since you are traveling across the Great Plains, keep an eye on your fuel gauge before entering the longer stretches of the Cimarron Turnpike to avoid unnecessary stress. Departing early in the morning is your best bet to ensure you arrive in Alva with plenty of daylight to spare. Given the route's efficiency, you have the flexibility to reach your destination in one go without needing to split the drive into two days. Pay close attention to signage when transitioning from the turnpikes onto US 64, as this shift marks the final leg of your 238-mile trek.
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 119 miles from Muskogee, OK, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.9 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 52 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119 miles or 2h 8m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alva, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Muskogee, 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 Muskogee, OK
This is one driving day of about 238 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Muskogee, 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 58.9 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 105.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.9 mi into trip|~4m in|US 62; US 69; OK 16 / North 32nd Street
Turn right onto US 62; US 69; OK 16 / North 32nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
8.3 mi into trip|~14m in
Turn left toward Tulsa
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Tulsa
8
49.1 mi into trip|~57m in|US 64; OK 51 / Inner Dispersal Loop
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64; OK 51 / Inner Dispersal Loop toward OK 51 West, US 64 West, I 244 East: Sand Springs, Joplin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward OK 51 West, US 64 West, I 244 East: Sand...
8
50 mi into trip|~58m in|US 64; OK 51 / 42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway
Take the exit onto US 64; OK 51 / 42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway toward US 64 West, US 412 West, OK 51 West: Sand Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 5B
Toward US 64 West, US 412 West, OK 51 West: San...
6
105.6 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|US 412 / Cimarron Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto US 412 / Cimarron Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.21 one way
$74.42 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$40.85
$81.71
premium
$4.89
$45.80
$91.60
diesel
$5.61
$52.55
$105.09
Estimated Tolls: $4.72
Cimarron Turnpike
(58.9 mi)$2.95
Muskogee Turnpike
(25.3 mi)$1.77
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
$37
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.4
0
$24.99
$11.42
Efficient EV
59.5
0
$20.83
$9.52
EV Truck/SUV
95.2
1
$33.32
$15.23
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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
Muskogee, OK
Evening
in Muskogee on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alva, OK
Evening
in Alva on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°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
5 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
4h 32m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as roughly 79% of the route consists of highway driving. You will spend a significant portion of your time on turnpikes, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 58.9 miles along the Cimarron Turnpike. The transition from the Muskogee area to Alva involves shifting from major turnpike arteries onto US 64, which provides a change of pace as you move through the plains. While the drive is focused on efficiency, the varying road types keep the experience from feeling purely monotonous. You will find that the road maintains a steady, reliable rhythm, allowing you to cover the distance with minimal navigation stress.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.9 mi on Cimarron Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Cimarron Turnpike and US 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near US 62; US 69; OK 16 / North 32nd Street.
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 22 significant decision points across 238 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 1.9 miles (US 62; US 69; OK 16 / North 32nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 49.1 miles (US 64; OK 51 / Inner Dispersal Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,310 ft558 ft
Total Climb
956 ft
Total Descent
288 ft
Highest Point
1,310 ft
~208.2 mi in
Elevation Range
753 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 Muskogee, OK to Alva, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Joplin along the way.
Joplin
49.1 mi in|~57m|via US 64; OK 51
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 32m. Total distance: 238 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.9 miles on Cimarron Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.72 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 Alva, 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 1.9 miles (US 62; US 69; OK 16 / North 32nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 49.1 miles (US 64; OK 51 / Inner Dispersal Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Alva, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
