This 103.1-mile drive from Nichols Hills, Oklahoma, to Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 50 minutes. The route is almost entirely highway, making it a convenient day trip with a projected fuel cost of around $16. You'll spend most of your time on the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike. Given its efficiency and manageable length, this trip is ideal for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. Both your origin and destination are situated within the Great Plains region, so you can expect a consistent landscape throughout.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.6 miles from Nichols Hills, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
86.1 mi
1h 25m
Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
4.7 mi
5m
John Kilpatrick Turnpike
4.1 mi
4m
Broadway Extension
3.2 mi
3m
West Wilshire Boulevard
2 mi
4m
Skelly Bypass
1.2 mi
1m
West 3rd Street South
0.3 mi
1m
West Heavy Traffic Way South
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
— 86.1 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nichols Hills, OK and Tulsa, OK.
1
Start on West Wilshire Boulevard
2.0 mi·4 min·West Wilshire Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
2
Turn left onto Broadway Extension
0.3 mi·29 sec·Broadway Extension
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
275 ft·6 sec
Use the slight left lane.
4
Merge onto US 77
2.9 mi·3 min·Broadway Extension
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 344Use the right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 344 EastUse the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Merge onto I 344
4.1 mi·4 min·John Kilpatrick Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 44
86 mi·1 hr 25 min·Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on I 44; OK 66
1.2 mi·1 min·Skelly Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 4CToward 7th Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto South Lawton Avenue West
0.1 mi·23 sec·South Lawton Avenue West
Use the left lane.
13
Turn straight onto West Heavy Traffic Way South
0.1 mi·25 sec·West Heavy Traffic Way South
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
14
Continue on West 2nd Street South
0.1 mi·26 sec·West 2nd Street South
15
At end of road, turn right onto South Frisco Avenue
386 ft·20 sec·South Frisco Avenue
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto West 3rd Street South
0.3 mi·1 min·West 3rd Street South
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto South Boulder Avenue West
390 ft·15 sec·South Boulder Avenue West
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
18
Arrive at destination
South Boulder Avenue West
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 1 hour and 50-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Since the route is primarily highway and covers 103.1 miles, consider leaving in the morning to maximize your time in Tulsa. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, it's a budget-friendly trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 86.1 miles on the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps before you embark on that longer segment. Keep an eye out for toll plazas as you navigate the turnpikes.
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 51.6 miles from Nichols Hills, OK, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.1 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 23 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.6 miles or 55m 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 28m
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 Nichols Hills, OK so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Nichols Hills, OK
This is one driving day of about 103.1 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Nichols Hills, OK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike for about 86.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.4 and 102.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
5.4 mi into trip|~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 344 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 344 East
9
97.3 mi into trip|~1h 41m 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
102 mi into trip|~1h 46m 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
102.7 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|South Frisco Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto South Frisco Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
102.7 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|West 3rd Street South
Turn left onto West 3rd Street South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.12 one way
$32.24 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.70
$35.39
premium
$4.89
$19.84
$39.68
diesel
$5.61
$22.76
$45.53
Estimated Tolls: $4.52
Turner Turnpike
(86.1 mi)$4.31
Kilpatrick Turnpike
(4.1 mi)$0.21
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
$16
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.9
0
$10.83
$4.95
Efficient EV
25.8
0
$9.02
$4.12
EV Truck/SUV
41.2
0
$14.43
$6.60
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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 17, 2026
Origin
Nichols Hills, OK
Late night
in Nichols Hills on Sunday
Local time
5:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tulsa, OK
Late night
in Tulsa on Sunday
Local time
5:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 to 20 mph33% chanceLive 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
6 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
1h 50m 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 on this route, with 92% of the drive taking place on major roadways. The majority of your travel will be on the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike, including an uninterrupted stretch of 86.1 miles. This means you'll encounter smooth, consistent driving conditions for the bulk of your journey. While primarily an interstate-style drive, the transition onto the Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway and John Kilpatrick Turnpike in the latter stages will guide you into your destination.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.1 mi on Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike and Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.4 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 103.1 miles you will encounter 14 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 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.3 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; at 102 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Nichols Hills, OK to Tulsa, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Sand Springs along the way.
Nichols Hills is an upscale older suburb in Oklahoma City. You will find some of the largest homes and most affluent living in this area. It is surrounded by Oklahoma City and The Village to the north.
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 1h 50m. Total distance: 103.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.1 miles on Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.52 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.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.3 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; at 102 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Oklahoma City National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tulsa, OK before heading back.
