Origin
Tulsa, OK
Late night in Tulsa on Tuesday
Local time
4:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tulsa, OK to Rush Springs, OK
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 57m
Distance
166.5 mi
268 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 47m
★
6 AM
2h 58m
8 AM
3h 20m
10 AM
3h 6m
12 PM
3h 4m
3 PM
3h 7m
5 PM
3h 19m
8 PM
2h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rush Springs, OK
Petr Ganaj
Trip Overview
Tulsa to Rush Springs is 166.5 miles and takes about 2 hours 57 minutes via Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike and Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Oklahoma, traversing the Great Plains region from start to finish. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained turnpikes, making for a straightforward drive. With a relatively short duration, it's a convenient option for a single-day excursion.
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
83.2 miles from Tulsa, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m 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 |
| US 81 | 17.6 mi | 21m |
| Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| World War II Veterans Memorial Highway | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Skelly Bypass | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Blakeley Avenue | 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 Rush Springs, 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
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 81; US 277
Toward US 81 South, US 277 South: Duncan
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 81
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
US 81
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto OK 17
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Blakeley Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
OK 17
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 57 minute drive time, leaving Tulsa in the morning will give you ample time to reach Rush Springs with daylight to spare. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your departure time. The primary roads are turnpikes, so be prepared for tolls and plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs. Your estimated fuel cost is $26, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Tulsa.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 83.2 miles from Tulsa, OK, or about 1h 26m 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 37 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.2 miles or 1h 26m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rush Springs, 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 166.5 miles and 2h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.2 miles from Tulsa, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 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
$26.03 one way
$52.06 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.58 | $57.16 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.04 | $64.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.76 | $73.52 |
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
$26
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.9 | 0 | $17.48 | $7.99 |
| Efficient EV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.57 | $6.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.6 | 0 | $23.31 | $10.66 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Rush Springs, OK
Late night in Rush Springs on Tuesday
Local time
4:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 57m 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?
This route is predominantly highway, with 96% of the drive on major roads. You'll encounter an 86.6-mile stretch on the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike, indicating a significant portion of continuous driving on a toll road. Expect mostly rural cruising with occasional exits as you transition from the turnpikes to surface roads closer to Rush Springs.
96% 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: 86.6 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 15 significant decision points across 166.5 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 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Rush Springs, 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 2h 57m. Total distance: 166.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). 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.
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 Rush Springs, 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Rush Springs, OK before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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