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Trip from Tulsa, OK to Apache, OK

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 24m

Distance

179.6 mi

289 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 12m ★
6 AM
3h 25m
8 AM
3h 49m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 31m
3 PM
3h 34m
5 PM
3h 48m
8 PM
3h 17m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Apache, OK, OK

Apache, OK

David Grandas

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Tulsa to Apache, you are looking at a 179.6-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 24 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it connects two spots within the Great Plains region of Oklahoma. You will primarily navigate a network of toll roads, including the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike, the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, and the Will Rogers Expressway. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, the trip is quite budget-friendly for solo drivers or small groups. Because the route is straightforward and efficient, you won't need to worry about booking overnight stays along the way. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that gets you from point A to point B without any unnecessary complexity.

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

89.8 miles from Tulsa, OK

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike 86.6 mi 1h 25m
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike 26.6 mi 25m
Will Rogers Expressway 23.5 mi 28m
OK 19 22.1 mi 34m
US 81 5.3 mi 7m
Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway 4.8 mi 5m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway 4.2 mi 4m
Windel Avenue 2.8 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike — 86.6 mi, about 1h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tulsa, OK and Apache, OK.

1

Start on South Boulder Avenue West

0.3 mi · 1 min · South Boulder Avenue West
Use the straight / left lanes.
2

Turn right onto West 6th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · West 6th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3

Continue on West 7th Street

0.3 mi · 54 sec · West 7th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 244 West, US 75 South Use the straight lane.
5

Merge onto I 244

2.3 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
Use the straight lane.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 244

2.6 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
Toward I 244 West: Oklahoma City Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 44; OK 66

0.7 mi · 55 sec · Skelly Bypass
Use the straight lane.
8

Continue on I 44

87 mi · 1 hr 25 min · Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
Toward I 44 West: Oklahoma City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit onto I 44

0.5 mi · 58 sec · I 44
Toward I 35 South, I 44 West, OK 66 West: Dallas, Lawton Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10

Merge onto I 35; I 44; OK 66

4.2 mi · 4 min · World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 44; OK 66

16 mi · 19 min · Will Rogers Expressway
Exit 133 Toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Lawton, Amarillo Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 44

7.9 mi · 8 min · Will Rogers Expressway
Toward I 44 West, US 62 West: Lawton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on I 44

27 mi · 25 min · Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Toward I 44 West: Chickasha, Lawton Use the straight lane.
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 49 sec
Exit 80 Toward US 81, US 277: Duncan, Chickasha Use the slight right lane.
15

Turn left onto US 81; US 277

5.3 mi · 7 min · US 81; US 277
Toward US 81 South, US 277 South: Duncan Use the straight lane.
16

Turn right onto OK 19; US 277

7.7 mi · 11 min · OK 19; US 277
Use the straight / left lanes.
17

Turn straight onto OK 19; US 277

7.6 mi · 11 min · OK 19; US 277
18

At end of road, turn left onto OK 19; US 277

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Baskett
19

Turn right onto OK 19; US 277

0.2 mi · 15 sec · OK 19; US 277
20

Turn right onto OK 19

2.8 mi · 4 min · Windel Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Continue on OK 19

6.7 mi · 11 min · OK 19
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Turn left onto US 62; US 281

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Coblake Street
23

Arrive at destination

US 62; US 281

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your own schedule rather than worrying about heavy traffic delays. You should budget for one strategic stop to stretch your legs, which will help keep you alert during the three-plus hours behind the wheel. Keep in mind that since you are relying heavily on turnpikes, it is wise to have your toll payment method ready before you hit the road to ensure a seamless experience. Given the $27 fuel estimate, topping off your tank before you leave Tulsa will get you well on your way. Because the route is so efficient, focus your planning on your arrival in Apache rather than worrying about complex navigation along the way.

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 89.8 miles from Tulsa, OK, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.6 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 40 miles or 43m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 89.8 miles or 1h 32m 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 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Apache, OK than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Tulsa, 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 Tulsa, OK

This is one driving day of about 179.6 miles and 3h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Tulsa, 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 Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike for about 86.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city and state capital of Oklahoma, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Oklahoma City, OK

90 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Drumright, OK

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Edmond, OK

Meal break

The midpoint is around 89.8 miles from Tulsa, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Francis Energy Charging Station

2.9 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18004891588

Visit website

Francis Energy Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18004891588

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 89.8

Edmond, Oklahoma

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

DynamicEVC Charging Station

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Tulsa, Oklahoma

+18332172197

Visit website

Oklahoma State Capitol

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 102.6

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+14055213356

Visit website

Science Museum Oklahoma

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 102.6

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+14056026664

Visit website

Bricktown River Walk Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 102.6

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Hours: 4:30 am–11 pm

+14052353500

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 148 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0.9 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward I 244 West, US 75 South

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 244 West, US 75 South
7
3.4 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway toward I 244 West: Oklahoma City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 244 West: Oklahoma City
9
97.9 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in | I 44; OK 66 / Will Rogers Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 44; OK 66 / Will Rogers Expressway toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Lawton, Amarillo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 133 Toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Lawton, Amarillo
8
113.5 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in | I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway toward I 44 West, US 62 West: Lawton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 44 West, US 62 West: Lawton
8
148 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in

Take the exit toward US 81, US 277: Duncan, Chickasha

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 80 Toward US 81, US 277: Duncan, Chickasha

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.08 one way

$56.16 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 63 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $30.83 $61.66
premium $4.89 $34.56 $69.12
diesel $5.61 $39.65 $79.31

Estimated Tolls: $6.19

Turner Turnpike (86.6 mi) $4.33
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike (26.6 mi) $1.86

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

$28

Tolls

$6

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 62.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 53.9 0 $18.86 $8.62
Efficient EV 44.9 0 $15.71 $7.18
EV Truck/SUV 71.8 0 $25.14 $11.49

Gas CO2

63 kg

EV CO2

21 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

Tulsa, OK

Night in Tulsa on Saturday

Local time

9:44 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Apache, OK

Night in Apache on Saturday

Local time

9:44 PM

CDT

Current temp

56°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

3 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 24m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a high-speed, highway-focused experience, as 94% of your time will be spent cruising on major turnpikes and expressways. You will settle into a steady rhythm early on, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 86.6 miles along the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike. The transition between these major arteries keeps the drive moving quickly, minimizing time spent on local, slower-moving roads. While the landscape remains consistent across the Great Plains, the predictability of the pavement makes for a stress-free commute. You can count on consistent road quality throughout the duration of the 179.6-mile trip, allowing you to maintain a steady pace.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.6 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 Harry E. Bailey Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 179.6 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 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles (I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.9 miles (I 44; OK 66 / Will Rogers Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,396 ft 722 ft

Total Climb

923 ft

Total Descent

350 ft

Highest Point

1,396 ft

~166.8 mi in

Elevation Range

675 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Tulsa, OK and Apache, OK, road signs point toward Lawton, Amarillo and Chickasha.

Lawton

93.3 mi in | ~1h 36m | via I 44

Amarillo

97.9 mi in | ~1h 41m | via I 44; OK 66

Chickasha

148 mi in | ~2h 34m

About the Cities

Starting in Tulsa, OK

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 179.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 24m 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 86.6 miles on Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $6.19 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 Apache, 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 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles (I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.9 miles (I 44; OK 66 / Will Rogers Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Apache, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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