Tulsa to Waurika is 212.4 miles and takes about 3h 56m via Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike and US 81, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Oklahoma, connecting the Great Plains region from the northeast to the southwest. Expect mostly highway driving, making it a straightforward trip for those wanting to cover ground efficiently. With a single recommended day and a relatively short drive time, this route is ideal for a quick transit or a relaxed one-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
106.2 miles from Tulsa, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
86.6 mi
1h 25m
US 81
52.2 mi
1h 4m
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
26.6 mi
25m
Will Rogers Expressway
23.5 mi
28m
Duncan Bypass
8.2 mi
9m
Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
4.8 mi
5m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
4.2 mi
4m
OK 7 Spur
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
— 86.6 mi, about 1h 25m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,075 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,554
Quietest
2 AM
~170 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Waurika, 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 right at fork onto I 44; OK 66
16 mi·19 min·Will Rogers Expressway
Exit 133Toward I 44 West, OK 66 West: Lawton, AmarilloUse 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: LawtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 44
27 mi·25 min·Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Toward I 44 West: Chickasha, LawtonUse the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 80Toward US 81, US 277: Duncan, ChickashaUse 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: DuncanUse the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 81
19 mi·24 min·US 81
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Turn right
0.8 mi·1 min
18
Turn left onto OK 7
8.2 mi·9 min·Duncan Bypass
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto OK 7 Spur
1.9 mi·2 min·OK 7 Spur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on US 81
21 mi·25 min·US 81
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto East D Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·East D Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn right onto Elm Street
0.1 mi·38 sec·Elm Street
23
Turn left onto East B Avenue
75 ft·3 sec·East B Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
East B Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 56m drive time, leaving Tulsa in the morning allows ample time to reach Waurika before evening. The route has only one recommended stop, and with 92% highway, you'll want to plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps around the transition from the turnpike to US 81. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before embarking on the 86.6-mile stretch on the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike, as services can be spaced out on turnpikes. The $38 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting, and since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility in departure time.
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 106.2 miles from Tulsa, OK, or about 1h 51m 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 47 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.2 miles or 1h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waurika, 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 212.4 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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.
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
$35.31 one way
$70.63 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$38.47
$76.93
premium
$5.18
$43.34
$86.68
diesel
$5.35
$44.74
$89.48
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
$35
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.7
0
$22.30
$10.20
Efficient EV
53.1
0
$18.59
$8.50
EV Truck/SUV
85
1
$29.74
$13.59
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Tulsa, OK
Afternoon
in Tulsa on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Waurika, OK
Afternoon
in Waurika on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 7 mph1% chanceLive 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
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
3h 56m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 92% of the 212.4 miles on high-speed roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 86.6 miles on the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike before transitioning to US 81. For the majority of the trip, expect consistent cruising with fewer interruptions. The final portion of the drive will involve more surface road travel as you approach Waurika.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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 US 81. 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 Effort8/10
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 212.4 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 0.9 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
1,362 ft709 ft
Total Climb
728 ft
Total Descent
551 ft
Highest Point
1,362 ft
~166.9 mi in
Elevation Range
652 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 Waurika, OK, road signs point toward Lawton, Amarillo and Chickasha.
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
•Holy Family Cathedral — church in Oklahoma, United States
•Philtower Building — historic building in Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 56m. Total distance: 212.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). 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.
Yes — we found about 7 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 Waurika, 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Oklahoma City National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Waurika, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
