This 174.5-mile drive from Rush Springs to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 9 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, covering 94% of the journey on interstates and turnpikes. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, this route offers an efficient way to travel between two points in the Great Plains. The drive is straightforward, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a quick trip without the need for an overnight stop. One planned stop is suggested along the way.
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
87.3 miles from Rush Springs, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
82.4 mi
1h 22m
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
26.5 mi
24m
Will Rogers Expressway
23.6 mi
28m
US 81
17.3 mi
20m
Creek Turnpike
13.5 mi
15m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
4.2 mi
4m
West Houston Street
3 mi
5m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Expressway
1.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 82.4 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rush Springs, OK and Broken Arrow, OK.
1
Start on OK 17
0.5 mi·54 sec·Blakeley Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto US 81
3.9 mi·4 min·US 81
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Continue on US 81
13 mi·16 min·US 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 44 East: Oklahoma CityUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 44
26 mi·24 min·Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on I 44; US 62
16 mi·18 min·Will Rogers Expressway
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
7.7 mi·9 min·Will Rogers Expressway
Toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: TulsaUse the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 35; I 44; OK 66
4.2 mi·4 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit onto I 44
82 mi·1 hr 22 min·I 44
Exit 138AToward I 44 East: TulsaUse the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit onto OK 364
13 mi·15 min·Creek Turnpike
Exit 218BToward OK 364 East: Jenks, Broken Arrow, JoplinUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64; US 169
1.7 mi·1 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Expressway
Toward US 64 West, US 169 North: TulsaUse the slight left lane.
12
Continue on US 64; US 169
453 ft·6 sec·Corporal Jared Shoemaker Memorial Bridge
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward East 81st Street SouthUse the sharp right lane.
14
Turn left onto East 81st Street South
0.3 mi·44 sec·East 81st Street South
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Continue on West Houston Street
3.0 mi·5 min·West Houston Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto South Elm Place
0.4 mi·50 sec·South Elm Place
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto West Broadway Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·West Broadway Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Turn left onto North Main Street
63 ft·2 sec·North Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 9-minute duration, starting your drive in Rush Springs in the morning allows you to reach Broken Arrow with plenty of daylight. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 82.4 miles on I-44, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, keeping the $27 estimated fuel cost in mind. With only one suggested stop, you have flexibility to depart when it's most convenient. Keep an eye out for the transition onto the Will Rogers Expressway as you near Broken Arrow.
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 87.3 miles from Rush Springs, OK, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.4 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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.3 miles or 1h 35m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Broken Arrow, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rush Springs, 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 Rush Springs, OK
This is one driving day of about 174.5 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Rush Springs, 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 82.4 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 60.5 and 170.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
60.5 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: Tulsa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: Tulsa
7
72.5 mi into trip|~1h 20m 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
8
154.9 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|OK 364 / Creek Turnpike
Take the exit onto OK 364 / Creek Turnpike toward OK 364 East: Jenks, Broken Arrow, Joplin
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 218B
Toward OK 364 East: Jenks, Broken Arrow, Joplin
8
168.4 mi into trip|~2h 58m in|US 64; US 169 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 64; US 169 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Expressway toward US 64 West, US 169 North: Tulsa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 64 West, US 169 North: Tulsa
7
170.1 mi into trip|~3h in
Take the exit toward East 81st Street South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the sharp right lane.
Toward East 81st Street South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.28 one way
$54.56 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.95
$59.91
premium
$4.89
$33.58
$67.16
diesel
$5.61
$38.53
$77.05
Estimated Tolls: $2.79
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
(26.5 mi)$1.85
Creek Turnpike
(13.5 mi)$0.94
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
$27
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.1 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
52.4
0
$18.32
$8.38
Efficient EV
43.6
0
$15.27
$6.98
EV Truck/SUV
69.8
0
$24.43
$11.17
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
Rush Springs, OK
Night
in Rush Springs on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Broken Arrow, OK
Night
in Broken Arrow on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
17 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 9m 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.
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 for the majority of this 174.5-mile journey, with 94% of the drive on high-speed roads like I-44 and the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike. The road is predominantly interstate, offering a consistent and direct path. You'll encounter an uninterrupted stretch of 82.4 miles on I-44, so be prepared for extended periods of highway driving. While the profile is largely highway, the Will Rogers Expressway marks a transition as you approach your destination.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.4 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and Harry E. Bailey Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 60.5 miles in near I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 174.5 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 60.5 miles (I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.5 miles (I 44): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 154.9 miles (OK 364 / Creek Turnpike): 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 Rush Springs, OK to Broken Arrow, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Joplin along the way.
Joplin
154.9 mi in|~2h 42m|via OK 364
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 9m. Total distance: 174.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.4 miles on I 44. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.79 in tolls one way, starting with Harry E. Bailey 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 Broken Arrow, 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 60.5 miles (I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.5 miles (I 44): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 154.9 miles (OK 364 / Creek Turnpike): 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Broken Arrow, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
