Tulsa to Watonga is 147 miles and takes about 3 hours via OK 33 and OK 3, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Oklahoma's Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across the state. You'll primarily be on well-maintained highways, making it a practical choice for a quick excursion or a travel day. Consider this route if you're looking for an uncomplicated way to get from eastern Oklahoma to the western part of the state without much fuss.
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
73.7 miles from Tulsa, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
OK 33
47.3 mi
58m
Sammy Davis, Junior Drive
27.3 mi
34m
OK 3
26.5 mi
31m
East 116th Street
14.2 mi
17m
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
10.8 mi
10m
Jennifer Lea Briggs and Heather Wilson Memorial Highway
10.3 mi
11m
Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
4.8 mi
5m
East Main Street
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
OK 33
— 47.3 mi, about 58m
Traffic on I-244
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,356 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~169 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 58 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tulsa, OK and Watonga, 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
11 mi·10 min·Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
Toward I 44 West: Oklahoma CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 211Toward OK 33, OK 66: Kellyville, DrumrightUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
109 ft·4 sec
Toward OK 33 West: DrumrightUse the straight / right lanes.
11
Turn right onto OK 33
30 mi·37 min·OK 33
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on OK 33; CR EW71
1.3 mi·2 min·OK 33; CR EW71
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto East North Street
0.5 mi·48 sec·East North Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on East Main Street
0.4 mi·36 sec·East Main Street
15
Continue on East North Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East North Street
16
At end of road, turn left onto North Noble Avenue
204 ft·6 sec·North Noble Avenue
17
Turn right onto OK 18; OK 33; CR EW71
1.6 mi·2 min·East Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Continue on OK 18; OK 33; CR EW71
14 mi·17 min·East 116th Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on OK 33; CR EW71
10 mi·11 min·Jennifer Lea Briggs and Heather Wilson Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on OK 33
0.3 mi·23 sec·Newt Sexton Memorial Bridge
21
Continue on OK 33
27 mi·34 min·Sammy Davis, Junior Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Continue on OK 33
6.0 mi·6 min·OK 33
Use the straight / left lanes.
23
Continue on OK 33
8.2 mi·9 min·OK 33
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
24
Continue on OK 33
1.9 mi·3 min·OK 33
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
Turn straight onto OK 3; OK 33
26 mi·31 min·OK 3; OK 33
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
26
Continue on OK 3; OK 33
0.2 mi·23 sec·East Russworm Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on OK 3; OK 33
0.3 mi·36 sec·East Russworm Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Turn right onto South Noble Avenue
0.2 mi·47 sec·South Noble Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
North Noble Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, starting your drive from Tulsa in the morning allows ample time to reach Watonga with daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $23, this is an easy same-day trip. Pay attention to the longest stretch of 47.3 miles on OK 33; plan your fuel and rest breaks before entering this segment. Since it's a relatively short drive, you have flexibility if you decide to make an unplanned stop 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 73.7 miles from Tulsa, OK, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.3 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 32 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.7 miles or 1h 31m 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 Watonga, 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 147.4 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 OK 33 for about 47.3 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 0.3 and 17.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|West 6th Street
Turn right onto West 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
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
8
17.5 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward OK 33, OK 66: Kellyville, Drumright
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 211
Toward OK 33, OK 66: Kellyville, Drumright
8
17.7 mi into trip|~20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward OK 33 West: Drumright
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward OK 33 West: Drumright
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.59 one way
$49.18 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$26.72
$53.45
premium
$5.26
$30.52
$61.04
diesel
$6.18
$35.86
$71.72
Estimated Tolls: $0.54
Turner Turnpike
(10.8 mi)$0.54
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
$25
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.2
0
$15.48
$7.08
Efficient EV
36.9
0
$12.90
$5.90
EV Truck/SUV
59
0
$20.64
$9.43
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Tulsa, OK
Morning
in Tulsa on Tuesday
Local time
8:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 5 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Watonga, OK
Morning
in Watonga on Tuesday
Local time
8:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 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.
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...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
$18
near mile 96.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 61% of the drive on higher-speed roads. You'll encounter a stretch of 47.3 miles on OK 33 without needing to make a turn, which is the longest continuous section. The transition from highway to surface roads will be noticeable as you get closer to your destination. Expect a mix of cruising and potentially more local traffic as you approach Watonga.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.3 mi on OK 33.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on OK 33 and Sammy Davis, Junior Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near West 6th Street.
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 16 significant decision points across 147.4 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 0.3 miles (West 6th Street): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,513 ft718 ft
Total Climb
937 ft
Total Descent
145 ft
Highest Point
1,513 ft
~147.4 mi in
Elevation Range
796 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 Watonga, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Drumright 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.
Top landmarks
•Philbrook Museum of Art — art museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma
•Philtower Building — historic building in Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
•Holy Family Cathedral — church in Oklahoma, United States
Watonga is in the Red Carpet Country region of Oklahoma. It is a very small town of less than 3,000 inhabitants (2020). Visitors enjoy outdoor activities at the Roman Nose State Park and can waste their money at the Lucky Star Casino.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 2m. Total distance: 147.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.3 miles on OK 33. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.54 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.
Yes — we found about 3 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 Watonga, 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. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (West 6th Street): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Yes — Oklahoma City National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Watonga, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
