Trip from Lexington, OK to Tulsa, OK

Drive Time

2h 33m

Distance

140 mi

225 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min

4 AM

2h 23m ★

6 AM

2h 33m

8 AM

2h 54m

10 AM

2h 40m

12 PM

2h 38m

3 PM

2h 41m

5 PM

2h 53m

8 PM

2h 27m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Lexington, OK

Daniel Cavarra

Trip Overview

Connecting Lexington to Tulsa is a straightforward 140-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 33 minutes to complete. Because the entire trip stays within the Great Plains, you will notice a consistent landscape as you travel across Oklahoma. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $21 on fuel for the trip, making it an affordable option for a quick getaway. Whether you are heading out for business or leisure, the route is designed to get you to your destination efficiently without unnecessary detours.

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

70 miles from Lexington, OK

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 67% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares like I-44 and the World War I Veterans Memorial Highway. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the open road, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 87.7 miles on I-44. The route transitions through the Helen Cole Memorial Highway, shifting from local roads to faster interstate travel. Expect a consistent, predictable driving experience that prioritizes speed and directness over technical maneuvers. It is a steady, reliable drive that allows you to cover the distance quickly once you merge onto the main corridors.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 23 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.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,316 ft 678 ft

Total Climb

543 ft

Total Descent

856 ft

Highest Point

1,316 ft

~29.2 mi in

Elevation Range

638 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and World War I Veterans Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 35.4 miles in near I 35; US 62.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 140 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 35.4 miles (I 35; US 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.6 miles (I 35; US 62 / Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.5 miles (I 44): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

35.4 mi into trip | ~42m in | I 35; US 62

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 62 toward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichita, Fort Smith

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichi...

36.6 mi into trip | ~44m in | I 35; US 62 / Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 62 / Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway toward I 35 North, US 62 East: Wichita

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 35 North, US 62 East: Wichita

46.5 mi into trip | ~56m 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

134.2 mi into trip | ~2h 23m 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...

138.9 mi into trip | ~2h 29m 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 Lexington, OK to Tulsa, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Smith along the way.

Fort Smith

35.4 mi in | ~42m | via I 35; US 62

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 44	87.7 mi	1h 27m
World War I Veterans Memorial Highway	18.7 mi	21m
Helen Cole Memorial Highway	6.6 mi	7m
Doctor James E. and Representative Mina M. Hibdon Memorial Highway	5.7 mi	6m
Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway	4.7 mi	5m
World War II Veterans Memorial Highway	4.6 mi	5m
Honorable Hannah Diggs Atkins, Secretary of State, Memorial Highway	2.9 mi	3m
Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway	2.4 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 44 — 87.7 mi, about 1h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lexington, OK and Tulsa, OK.

Start on South Main Street

58 ft · 8 sec · South Main Street

Turn left onto OK 39

1.7 mi · 2 min · West Broadway Street

Turn right onto OK 74

1.9 mi · 2 min · North Green Avenue

Take the ramp

0.7 mi · 1 min

Merge onto I 35

13 mi · 14 min · World War I Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

5.7 mi · 6 min · Doctor James E. and Representative Mina M. Hibdon Memorial Highway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on I 35; US 77

6.6 mi · 7 min · Helen Cole Memorial Highway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on I 35; US 77

5.3 mi · 6 min · World War I Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 62

0.3 mi · 25 sec · I 35; US 62

Toward I 35 North, I 40 East, US 62 East: Wichita, Fort Smith Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 35; I 40; US 62; US 270

1.0 mi · 1 min · Crosstown Expressway

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 62

2.4 mi · 2 min · Representative Opio Toure Memorial Highway

Toward I 35 North, US 62 East: Wichita Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 35

2.9 mi · 3 min · Honorable Hannah Diggs Atkins, Secretary of State, Memorial Highway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on I 35

4.6 mi · 5 min · World War II Veterans Memorial Highway

Toward I 35 North, I 44 East, OK 66 East Use the straight lane.

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.

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.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Exit 4C Toward 7th Street, Downtown Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto South Lawton Avenue West

0.1 mi · 23 sec · South Lawton Avenue West

Use the left lane.

Turn straight onto West Heavy Traffic Way South

0.1 mi · 25 sec · West Heavy Traffic Way South

Use the straight / sharp right lanes.

Continue on West 2nd Street South

0.1 mi · 26 sec · West 2nd Street South

At end of road, turn right onto South Frisco Avenue

386 ft · 20 sec · South Frisco Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto West 3rd Street South

0.3 mi · 1 min · West 3rd Street South

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Turn left onto South Boulder Avenue West

390 ft · 15 sec · South Boulder Avenue West

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Arrive at destination

South Boulder Avenue West

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your own schedule. You should anticipate at least one stop during the 140-mile trek to stretch your legs and refresh. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before hitting the longest 87.7-mile stretch on I-44 to ensure you aren't searching for a station during the most isolated part of the drive. Because the duration is under three hours, you can easily complete the trip in one go without feeling overly fatigued. Use this time to enjoy the convenience of the major highway system while keeping your travel budget in check.

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 70 miles from Lexington, OK, or about 1h 19m 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 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 70 miles or 1h 19m 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 4m

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 Lexington, 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 Lexington, OK

This is one driving day of about 140 miles and 2h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lexington, 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 70 mi from Lexington, OK · 1h 19m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wichita Falls, TX

70 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

Denison, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Denison, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 70 miles from Lexington, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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

$21.26 one way

$42.53 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$23.44	$46.88
premium	$4.80	$26.43	$52.86
diesel	$5.64	$31.10	$62.21

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 49 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	42	$14.70	$6.72
Efficient EV	35	$12.25	$5.60
EV Truck/SUV	56	$19.60	$8.96

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Lexington, OK

Afternoon in Lexington on Sunday

Local time

2:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tulsa, OK

Afternoon in Tulsa on Sunday

Local time

2:47 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

4 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

2h 33m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Lexington, OK to Tulsa, OK covers 140 miles and takes about 2h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 44, World War I Veterans Memorial Highway, Helen Cole 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 70 miles from Lexington, OK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.26 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

On the drive from Lexington, OK to Tulsa, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Smith along the way.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 678 ft to 1,316 ft elevation with about 543 ft of total climbing.

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Trip from Lexington, OK to Tulsa, OK

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Tulsa, OK

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Lexington, OK

Tulsa, OK

Same local time

4 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 33m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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