Tulsa to Blackwell is 116.7 miles and takes about 2 hours and 2 minutes via the Cimarron Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive is a straightforward, highway-focused trip primarily within Oklahoma's Great Plains region. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained turnpikes and highways, making for an efficient journey. Consider this route if you need to get from Tulsa to Blackwell quickly and prefer a direct path with minimal fuss. The relatively short distance means you can easily complete this trip in a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.3 miles from Tulsa, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cimarron Turnpike
58.7 mi
56m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
27.9 mi
27m
Sand Springs Expressway
14.5 mi
16m
Keystone Expressway
8.7 mi
9m
West Doolin Avenue
3.2 mi
5m
Jerald Warden Memorial Highway
1.2 mi
1m
North Main Street
0.5 mi
<1m
42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Cimarron Turnpike
— 58.7 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tulsa, OK and Blackwell, OK.
1
Start on South Boulder Avenue West
372 ft·20 sec·South Boulder Avenue West
2
Turn left onto West 1st Street South
0.3 mi·1 min·West 1st Street South
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward I 244 East, US 64 West, OK 51 West
4
Merge onto I 244; US 64; OK 51
0.1 mi·10 sec·Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
5
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.
6
Merge onto US 64; US 412; OK 51
14 mi·16 min·Sand Springs Expressway
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 64; US 412
3.6 mi·3 min·Keystone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 64; US 412
1.2 mi·1 min·Jerald Warden Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 64; US 412
5.1 mi·5 min·Keystone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 412
31 mi·29 min·Cimarron Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 412
28 mi·27 min·Cimarron Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 35 North: WichitaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 35
28 mi·27 min·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 222Toward OK 11: Blackwell, MedfordUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto OK 11
3.2 mi·5 min·West Doolin Avenue
Toward OK 11 East: BlackwellUse the right lane.
16
Turn right onto US 177
0.5 mi·47 sec·North Main Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
US 177
Trip Plan
Given this is a short, single-day trip of just over 2 hours, you have a lot of flexibility. Leaving Tulsa in the morning allows you to arrive in Blackwell with plenty of the day remaining. You won't need to plan for extensive stops, but keep an eye on fuel, especially during the 58.7-mile stretch on the Cimarron Turnpike, as services can be spaced out on turnpikes. Budgeting around $18 for fuel should cover the trip comfortably. A good tip is to ensure your vehicle is fueled before departing Tulsa to maximize your time on the road.
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 58.3 miles from Tulsa, OK, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.7 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 26 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.3 miles or 1h 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blackwell, 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 116.7 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Tulsa, OK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Cimarron Turnpike for about 58.7 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 112.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|West 1st Street South
Turn left onto West 1st Street South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
0.9 mi into trip|~2m 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
56.6 mi into trip|~59m 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.
6
84.3 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 35 North: Wichita
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Wichita
8
112.7 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward OK 11: Blackwell, Medford
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 222
Toward OK 11: Blackwell, Medford
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.24 one way
$36.49 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.03
$40.06
premium
$4.89
$22.46
$44.92
diesel
$5.61
$25.77
$51.53
Estimated Tolls: $2.94
Cimarron Turnpike
(58.7 mi)$2.94
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
$18
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35
0
$12.25
$5.60
Efficient EV
29.2
0
$10.21
$4.67
EV Truck/SUV
46.7
0
$16.34
$7.47
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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 21, 2026
Origin
Tulsa, OK
Late night
in Tulsa on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 20 at 7:47PM CDT until April 21 at 7:51AM CDT by NWS Tulsa OK
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 20 at 2:28PM CDT until April 22 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Destination
Blackwell, OK
Late night
in Blackwell on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Partly Cloudy
S 12 to 18 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 20 at 7:47PM CDT until April 21 at 7:51AM CDT by NWS Tulsa OK
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 20 at 2:28PM CDT until April 22 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
73°F
Pawnee, OK
58 mi in
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
1 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
2h 2m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 70% of the route utilizing major roadways like the Cimarron Turnpike and World War II Veterans Memorial Highway. Expect long, uninterrupted stretches, including a significant 58.7-mile segment on the Cimarron Turnpike. The profile suggests a consistent pace, allowing you to cover ground efficiently. While primarily highway, the inclusion of the Sand Springs Expressway indicates a brief transition through more urban or suburban areas at the beginning. Overall, it's a drive built for steady progress.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.7 mi on Cimarron Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Cimarron Turnpike and World War II Veterans Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West 1st Street South.
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 11 significant decision points across 116.7 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 0.1 miles (West 1st Street South): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (US 64; OK 51 / 42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.6 miles (US 412 / Cimarron Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Blackwell is in the Red Carpet Country region of Oklahoma. A Cherokee Outlet land run town from 1893, and regrettably a rather sordid sundown town for a good while after. Its big money-maker, a zinc smelter, would later come back to haunt the town with long-lasting environmental damage.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 116.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.7 miles on Cimarron Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.94 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.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Blackwell, 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. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West 1st Street South): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (US 64; OK 51 / 42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.6 miles (US 412 / Cimarron Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Blackwell, OK before heading back.
