Origin
Altus, OK
Afternoon in Altus on Sunday
Local time
2:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Altus, OK to Tulsa, OK
Drive Time
4h 23m
Distance
243.2 mi
391 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
Altus, OK
cottonbro CG studio
Trip Overview
Connecting Altus to Tulsa, this 243.2-mile journey takes approximately 4 hours and 23 minutes of driving time. Because the route stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Oklahoma, you can comfortably complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget around $37 for fuel, making this a budget-friendly option for travelers moving across the state. The path relies heavily on major thoroughfares, including I-44, the Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, and the Colonel Aaron C. "Burley" Burleson Memorial Highway. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this straightforward drive offers a reliable connection between these two Oklahoma hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
121.6 miles from Altus, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
With a high highway share of 78%, this is primarily a fast-paced, interstate-focused drive designed for efficiency. You will spend the vast majority of your time cruising on well-maintained arterial roads, including a significant 87.7-mile uninterrupted stretch on I-44. While the terrain remains consistent as you traverse the Great Plains, the road structure shifts between turnpikes and major highway corridors. Expect a steady, high-speed experience that favors direct travel over winding backroads. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that allows you to cover the distance quickly while maintaining a consistent pace behind the wheel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 44 is the longest continuous segment at about 87.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 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 47.3 miles in near US 62.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 243.2 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 47.3 miles (US 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.8 miles (I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.7 miles (I 44): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
47.3 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
US 62
Keep slight right at fork onto US 62 toward Rogers Lane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Rogers Lane
8
137.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
|
I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: Tulsa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: Tulsa
7
149.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
|
I 44
Take the exit onto I 44 toward I 44 East: Tulsa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 138A
Toward I 44 East: Tulsa
9
237.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m in
|
I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway toward I 244 East, OK 344 North: Tulsa, Sand Springs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 223A
Toward I 244 East, OK 344 North: Tulsa, Sand Sp...
8
242.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 19m in
Take the exit toward 7th Street, Downtown
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 4C
Toward 7th Street, Downtown
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Altus, OK to Tulsa, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Oklahoma City along the way.
Oklahoma City
60.7 mi in
|
~1h 11m
|
via I 44
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 44 | 87.7 mi | 1h 27m |
| Harry E. Bailey Turnpike | 61.2 mi | 1h 2m |
| Colonel Aaron C. "Burley" Burleson Memorial Highway | 45 mi | 50m |
| Will Rogers Expressway | 23.6 mi | 28m |
| US 62 | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| Pioneer Expressway | 4.6 mi | 4m |
| World War II Veterans Memorial Highway | 4.2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 87.7 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altus, OK and Tulsa, OK.
1
Start on US 283; OK 6
97 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 62
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
East Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on US 62
45 mi
·
50 min
·
Colonel Aaron C. "Burley" Burleson Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 62
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
US 62
Toward Rogers Lane
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto US 62
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
US 62
6
Merge onto I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Bill W. Burgess, Junior Highway
Toward I 44 East, US 62 East, US 277 North, US 281 North: Oklahoma City
7
Continue on I 44; US 62; US 277; US 281
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Pioneer Expressway
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 44
61 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
Toward I 44 East: Chickasha, Oklahoma City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 44; US 62
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Will Rogers Expressway
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Will Rogers Expressway
Toward I 44 East, OK 66 East: Tulsa
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 35; I 44; OK 66
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto I 44
88 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
I 44
Exit 138A
Toward I 44 East: Tulsa
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 244
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
Exit 223A
Toward I 244 East, OK 344 North: Tulsa, Sand Springs
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 4C
Toward 7th Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto South Lawton Avenue West
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Lawton Avenue West
Use the left lane.
16
Turn straight onto West Heavy Traffic Way South
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
West Heavy Traffic Way South
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
17
Continue on West 2nd Street South
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
West 2nd Street South
18
At end of road, turn right onto South Frisco Avenue
386 ft
·
20 sec
·
South Frisco Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto West 3rd Street South
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West 3rd Street South
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto South Boulder Avenue West
390 ft
·
15 sec
·
South Boulder Avenue West
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
21
Arrive at destination
South Boulder Avenue West
Trip Plan
To keep your travel day manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop during the 4-hour and 23-minute trek. Since the route features a lengthy 87.7-mile stretch on I-44, it is wise to check your fuel levels before merging onto the interstate to ensure you don't have to hunt for a station during the longest part of the drive. Departing early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach Tulsa. Take advantage of the flexibility this single-day trip offers by keeping your schedule open, as the predictable road conditions make it easy to adjust your arrival time based on how you feel throughout the journey.
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 121.6 miles from Altus, OK, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.7 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.6 miles or 2h 12m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tulsa, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Altus, 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 Altus, OK
This is one driving day of about 243.2 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Altus, 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 I 44 for about 87.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 121.6 mi from Altus, OK · 2h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 121.6 miles from Altus, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 44 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.7 miles.
Arriving in Tulsa, OK
The final approach into Tulsa, OK usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Tulsa, OK.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.94 one way
$73.88 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
85 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $40.72 | $81.44 |
| premium | $4.80 | $45.91 | $91.82 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $54.03 | $108.06 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.28
Harry E. Bailey Turnpike
(61.2 mi)
$4.28
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
$37
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73 | 0 | $25.54 | $11.67 |
| Efficient EV | 60.8 | 0 | $21.28 | $9.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.3 | 1 | $34.05 | $15.56 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Tulsa, OK
Afternoon in Tulsa on Sunday
Local time
2:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°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
4h 23m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Altus, OK to Tulsa, OK covers 243.2 miles and takes about 4h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 44, Harry E. Bailey Turnpike, Colonel Aaron C. "Burley" Burleson Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 121.6 miles from Altus, OK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.94 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 243.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 47.3 miles (US 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.8 miles (I 44 / Will Rogers Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.7 miles (I 44): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Altus, OK to Tulsa, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Oklahoma City along the way.
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