Connecting Tulsa and Oklahoma City via local roads creates a 106.2-mile journey that takes approximately 1 hour and 33 minutes. Since this route avoids the interstate system entirely, it is best suited for a single-day trip where you have the flexibility to navigate city streets. You can expect to spend about $16 in fuel for the trek across the Great Plains. Because the entire route remains within Oklahoma, the scenery offers a consistent look at the regional landscape. While it is a manageable distance for a quick getaway, the turn-heavy nature of the path means you should be prepared for a more active driving experience than a standard highway cruise.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.2 miles from Tulsa, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
86.6 mi
1h 25m
Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
4.8 mi
5m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
4.5 mi
5m
Honorable Hannah Diggs Atkins, Secretary of State, Memorial Highway
2.9 mi
3m
Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway
2.5 mi
3m
Crosstown Expressway
1.2 mi
1m
Skelly Bypass
0.7 mi
<1m
Oklahoma City Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
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 Oklahoma City, 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 SouthUse 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 CityUse 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 CityUse 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, LawtonUse 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 left at fork onto I 35
0.4 mi·26 sec·World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward I 35 South: DallasUse the slight left lane.
12
Continue on I 35
2.9 mi·3 min·Honorable Hannah Diggs Atkins, Secretary of State, Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on I 35
2.5 mi·3 min·Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on I 35; I 40; US 62; US 270
0.9 mi·1 min·Crosstown Expressway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 270
0.4 mi·26 sec·Crosstown Expressway
Exit 126Toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma Health Center, State Capitol, Edmond, AmarilloUse the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·39 sec
Exit 151AToward Oklahoma City BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto Oklahoma City Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Oklahoma City Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto South Edward King Gaylord Boulevard
0.3 mi·41 sec·South Edward King Gaylord Boulevard
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto West Sheridan Avenue
0.2 mi·26 sec·West Sheridan Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto North Robinson Avenue
416 ft·14 sec·North Robinson Avenue
Use the straight lane.
21
Arrive at destination
North Robinson Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the lack of highway miles and the turn-heavy nature of the route, plan for a steady, focused drive rather than a high-speed sprint. Since the trip is relatively short at 1 hour and 33 minutes, you have the advantage of total scheduling flexibility; leaving mid-morning can help you avoid the densest local traffic. Budgeting $16 for fuel is a safe baseline, but keep in mind that local stop-and-go driving can fluctuate your actual efficiency. With zero scheduled stops provided, you should plan your own breaks along the local streets to stretch your legs. A helpful tip is to keep your navigation system updated, as relying on local roads requires more frequent turns than a simple interstate route.
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 53.2 miles from Tulsa, OK, or about 56m 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 23 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.2 miles or 56m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oklahoma City, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tulsa, OK
This is one driving day of about 106.3 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Tulsa, 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 86.6 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 104.5 — 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
7
93.3 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|I 44
Take the exit onto I 44 toward I 35 South, I 44 West, OK 66 West: Dallas, Lawton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 35 South, I 44 West, OK 66 West: Dalla...
7
97.9 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|I 35 / World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / World War II Veterans Memorial Highway toward I 35 South: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 South: Dallas
9
104.5 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma Health Center, State Capitol, Edmond, Amarillo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 126
Toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.62 one way
$33.24 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$18.25
$36.49
premium
$4.89
$20.46
$40.91
diesel
$5.61
$23.47
$46.94
Estimated Tolls: $4.33
Turner Turnpike
(86.6 mi)$4.33
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
$17
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.9
0
$11.16
$5.10
Efficient EV
26.6
0
$9.30
$4.25
EV Truck/SUV
42.5
0
$14.88
$6.80
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
11:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oklahoma City, OK
Night
in Oklahoma City on Saturday
Local time
11:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Chandler, OK
53 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 53m 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 very different experience than the usual interstate commute, as this route relies on local thoroughfares like West 3rd Street South, South Frisco Avenue, and West 6th Street. With a highway share of 0%, this is a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. You will find no long, uninterrupted stretches on this path, as the longest segment occurs on West 3rd Street South. Navigating these local roads provides a unique perspective on the urban corridors between the two cities. Be ready for frequent maneuvers and a steady pace that keeps you engaged throughout the 106.2-mile trip.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 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?
9/10
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 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 106.3 miles you will encounter 16 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 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 93.3 miles (I 44): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,196 ft665 ft
Total Climb
719 ft
Total Descent
245 ft
Highest Point
1,196 ft
~106.3 mi in
Elevation Range
532 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 Tulsa, OK to Oklahoma City, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Lawton along the way.
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.
Oklahoma City is the capital and principal city of the state of Oklahoma in the central Frontier Country region of the state. The sprawling city and its suburbs offer multiple sports venues, museums, regional food, and a mix of Native American and cowboy culture.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 106.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). 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 $4.33 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 Oklahoma City, 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 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 93.3 miles (I 44): 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 Oklahoma City, OK before heading back.
