Origin
McAlester, OK
Evening in McAlester on Sunday
Local time
5:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from McAlester, OK to Tulsa, OK
Drive Time
1h 49m
Distance
90.8 mi
146 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 42m
★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 6m
10 AM
1h 56m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 5m
8 PM
1h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
McAlester, OK
cottonbro CG studio
Trip Overview
Stretching 90.8 miles through the heart of the Great Plains, this drive from McAlester to Tulsa is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 49 minutes. Because the trip is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $14 for fuel to complete the transit between these two Oklahoma cities. Navigating this route is efficient, as it relies heavily on major thoroughfares rather than slower local roads. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick getaway, this trek offers a practical, no-nonsense connection between regional hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
45.4 miles from McAlester, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience as you traverse the Great Plains, with 63% of your journey spent on high-speed routes. You will primarily utilize the Indian Nation Turnpike, the Trooper William McClendon Memorial Highway, and the Colonel John L. Hillman Parkway to make your way north. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a 35-mile segment on the Indian Nation Turnpike, allowing for steady, consistent driving. Because the route prioritizes major roads, you won't encounter the stop-and-go patterns of local traffic, making for a streamlined and predictable ride 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.
Indian Nation Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 35 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Indian Nation Turnpike and Trooper William McClendon Memorial Highway. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 87.6 miles in near I 244; US 75 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 90.8 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 87.6 miles (I 244; US 75 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.4 miles (South Frisco Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
87.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
|
I 244; US 75 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
Merge onto I 244; US 75 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway toward US 75 North, I 244 East: Downtown Tulsa
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 75 North, I 244 East: Downtown Tulsa
8
89.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m 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
7
90.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
South Frisco Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto South Frisco Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
90.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
West 3rd Street South
Turn left onto West 3rd Street South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7
90.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
|
South Boulder Avenue West
Turn left onto South Boulder Avenue West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from McAlester, OK to Tulsa, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Okmulgee along the way.
Okmulgee
39.6 mi in
|
~41m
|
via I 40 Business; US 62; US 75
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Nation Turnpike | 35 mi | 33m |
| Trooper William McClendon Memorial Highway | 13.8 mi | 16m |
| Colonel John L. Hillman Parkway | 10.7 mi | 12m |
| Okmulgee Beeline | 9.8 mi | 12m |
| Okmulgee Expressway | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| South Wood Drive | 5.1 mi | 9m |
| Trooper David ‘Rocky’ Eales Memorial Highway | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Indian Nation Turnpike
— 35 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McAlester, OK and Tulsa, OK.
1
Start on US 69 Business
16 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 270; OK 1; OK 31
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Carl Albert Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on US 270; OK 1
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Trooper David ‘Rocky’ Eales Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward Indian Nation Turnpike Northbound
Use the right lane.
5
Merge onto OK 375
35 mi
·
33 min
·
Indian Nation Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on I 40 Business; US 62; US 75
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
I 40 Business; US 62; US 75
Toward US 62 East, US 75 North, I 40 Business West: Henryetta, Okmulgee
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Continue on US 62; US 75
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Colonel John L. Hillman Parkway
Toward US 62 East, US 75 North: Okmulgee, Tulsa
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 62; US 75
5.1 mi
·
9 min
·
South Wood Drive
Toward US 62 East, US 75 North: Okmulgee, Tulsa
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 75
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Colonel John L. Hillman Parkway
Toward US 75 North: Tulsa
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 75
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Trooper William McClendon Memorial Highway
Toward US 75 North: Tulsa
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
11
Continue on US 75
9.8 mi
·
12 min
·
Okmulgee Beeline
Toward US 75 North: Tulsa
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on US 75
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Okmulgee Expressway
Toward US 75 North: Tulsa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 244; US 75
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
Toward US 75 North, I 244 East: Downtown Tulsa
Use the straight / 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
Since this is a quick trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way, as the transit is short enough to drive straight through in under two hours. Keep in mind that with zero planned stops, you should ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave McAlester to avoid any mid-route interruptions. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to monitor your speed closely as you transition between the Indian Nation Turnpike and the various memorial highways, as road designations shift throughout the 90.8-mile stretch.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45.4 miles from McAlester, OK, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.4 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 27m
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 McAlester, 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 McAlester, OK
This is one driving day of about 90.8 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from McAlester, OK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Indian Nation Turnpike for about 35 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.4 mi from McAlester, OK · 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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 45.4 miles from McAlester, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$13.79 one way
$27.58 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $15.20 | $30.41 |
| premium | $4.80 | $17.14 | $34.28 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $20.17 | $40.35 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.45
Indian Nation Turnpike
(35 mi)
$2.45
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
$14
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.2 | 0 | $9.53 | $4.36 |
| Efficient EV | 22.7 | 0 | $7.94 | $3.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.3 | 0 | $12.71 | $5.81 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Tulsa, OK
Evening in Tulsa on Sunday
Local time
5:11 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
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
1h 49m 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 McAlester, OK to Tulsa, OK covers 90.8 miles and takes about 1h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Indian Nation Turnpike, Trooper William McClendon Memorial Highway, Colonel John L. Hillman Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45.4 miles from McAlester, OK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.79 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 90.8 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 87.6 miles (I 244; US 75 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.4 miles (South Frisco Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from McAlester, OK to Tulsa, OK, road signs begin pointing toward Okmulgee along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Tulsa, OK
More from McAlester, OK
More trips to Tulsa, OK
Explore more options from McAlester, OK or browse trips ending in Tulsa, OK.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse OK road trips.
Explore maps for McAlester, OK or Tulsa, OK on MapSof.net.