Origin
Nowata, OK
Evening in Nowata on Sunday
Local time
5:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Nowata, OK to Tulsa, OK
Drive Time
53m
Distance
49.7 mi
80 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 49m
★
6 AM
0h 54m
8 AM
1h 3m
10 AM
0h 57m
12 PM
0h 56m
3 PM
0h 57m
5 PM
1h 2m
8 PM
0h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
Traveling from Nowata to Tulsa is a straightforward 49.7-mile journey that typically takes about 53 minutes. Because of the short distance, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day outing, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. You can expect to spend approximately $7 on fuel, making it a very budget-friendly transit across the Great Plains. You will primarily navigate via US 169 South, eventually transitioning onto I-244 West and Martin Luther King Boulevard to reach your destination. Whether you are heading into the city for business or leisure, the route is simple enough to manage without extensive planning.
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
24.9 miles from Nowata, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy, local-style drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will spend your time navigating a mix of roads, as the route is characterized by a 0% highway share according to standard classification, emphasizing the local nature of the connection. Because there are no long, uninterrupted highway stretches, you should stay alert for frequent turns as you transition between US 169 South and the city approach. The road demands your focus, shifting from rural surroundings into the more complex traffic patterns of the Tulsa metropolitan area. It is a practical, functional drive that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 169 South is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Nowata, OK to Tulsa, OK is easy. At 53m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Nowata, OK to Tulsa, OK is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 169 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 244 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Martin Luther King | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 1st Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East 1st Street South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Boulder Avenue West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
US 169 South
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nowata, OK and Tulsa, OK.
1
Start on Maple Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Maple Street
2
Continue straight
108 ft
·
4 sec
3
Continue straight
21 mi
·
25 min
4
Continue on US 169 South: Owasso
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US 169 South: Owasso
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 244 West, US 412 West: Tulsa, Tulsa International Airport
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 244 West, US 412 West: Tulsa, Tulsa International Airport
6
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
7
Take the exit slight right toward 1st Street, Downtown
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
1st Street, Downtown
8
Continue on East 1st Street South
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East 1st Street South
9
Turn left onto South Boulder Avenue West
371 ft
·
17 sec
·
South Boulder Avenue West
10
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick drive under an hour, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning for intermediate stops, as you can easily complete the trip in one go. Keep in mind that the transition into Tulsa involves city streets, so allow yourself extra time if you are driving during peak traffic hours. Given the $7 fuel estimate, filling up before you leave Nowata is a smart way to simplify your travel day. Focus on navigating the turns of the local roads carefully, as the constant navigation required for this route makes it a more engaged drive than a typical highway sprint.
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 24.9 miles from Nowata, OK, or about 26m into the drive.
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 49.7 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.9 miles or 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 45m
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 Nowata, 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 Nowata, OK
This is one driving day of about 49.7 miles and 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Nowata, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.9 mi from Nowata, OK · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 49.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.9 miles from Nowata, 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
$7.55 one way
$15.10 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $8.32 | $16.64 |
| premium | $4.80 | $9.38 | $18.76 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.04 | $22.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.9 | 0 | $5.22 | $2.39 |
| Efficient EV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.35 | $1.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.9 | 0 | $6.96 | $3.18 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
5:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
74°F
Bella Vista, AR
25 mi in
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
2 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
53m 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 Nowata, OK to Tulsa, OK covers 49.7 miles and takes about 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 169 South, I 244 West, Martin Luther King. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.9 miles from Nowata, OK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.55 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.
The drive from Nowata, OK to Tulsa, OK is easy. At 53m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Nowata, OK to Tulsa, OK is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Nowata, OK to Tulsa, OK does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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