Origin
Ponca City, OK
Night in Ponca City on Tuesday
Local time
11:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ponca City, OK to Tulsa, OK
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 43m
Distance
93.3 mi
150 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 36m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 59m
10 AM
1h 49m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 58m
8 PM
1h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ponca City, OK
Kelly
Trip Overview
Embark on a straightforward 93.3-mile journey from Ponca City, OK to Tulsa, OK, a drive that typically takes about 1 hour and 43 minutes. This route is predominantly highway-focused, with 94% of it utilizing major roads like the Cimarron Turnpike and US 177. Given its short duration and manageable distance, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing you to reach Tulsa without needing an overnight stop. Expect a fuel cost of around $15 for this relatively brief excursion across the Great Plains. The overall feel is one of efficient travel, connecting two points within Oklahoma with minimal fuss.
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
46.7 miles from Ponca City, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This drive leans heavily towards highway travel, with a 94% highway share that promises a consistent pace. You'll experience a significant stretch of 44.1 miles on the Cimarron Turnpike, offering a period of uninterrupted driving. While primarily a highway-focused experience, the inclusion of US 177 and the Sand Springs Expressway means you'll transition between different types of faster-paced roads. Expect a driving personality that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently, rather than one filled with frequent scenic detours or slow-downs.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Cimarron Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 44.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Cimarron Turnpike and US 177. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 23.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 93.3 miles you will encounter 11 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 23.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 23.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
23.6 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Take the ramp toward US 412 East: Tulsa
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 412 East: Tulsa
8
23.9 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 15
6
92.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward Quanah Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Quanah Avenue
7
92.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
|
North Quanah Avenue
Turn right onto North Quanah Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
92.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
|
West Archer Street North
Turn left onto West Archer Street North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Cimarron Turnpike | 44.1 mi | 41m |
| US 177 | 20.8 mi | 24m |
| Sand Springs Expressway | 14.1 mi | 15m |
| Keystone Expressway | 8.6 mi | 9m |
| South 14th Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Jerald Warden Memorial Highway | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| West Archer Street North | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| West Broadway Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Cimarron Turnpike
— 44.1 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ponca City, OK and Tulsa, OK.
1
Start on West Broadway Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto North 7th Street
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
North 7th Street
3
Turn left onto US 60 Business
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Grand Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 77; US 60 Business
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South 14th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
Continue on US 177
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 177
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
Toward US 412 East: Tulsa
Use the right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Exit 15
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto US 412
44 mi
·
41 min
·
Cimarron Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 412
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Keystone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 64; US 412
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Jerald Warden Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 64; US 412
3.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Keystone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 64; US 412
14 mi
·
15 min
·
Sand Springs Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward Quanah Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn right onto North Quanah Avenue
451 ft
·
22 sec
·
North Quanah Avenue
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto West Archer Street North
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Archer Street North
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn right onto North Boulder Avenue West
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
North Boulder Avenue West
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
South Boulder Avenue West
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just under two hours, this route offers considerable flexibility for departure and pacing. You can easily leave Ponca City in the morning and arrive in Tulsa with plenty of the day remaining. Since there are no specific recommended stops, you can tailor your breaks as needed, perhaps for a quick stretch or to refuel if your tank is running low, keeping the estimated $15 fuel cost in mind. A practical tip for this drive is to be aware of the Cimarron Turnpike's toll; ensure you have a method of payment ready for that longest stretch to maintain your momentum.
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 46.7 miles from Ponca City, OK, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.1 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 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.7 miles or 52m 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 22m
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 Ponca City, 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 Ponca City, OK
This is one driving day of about 93.3 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ponca City, 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 Cimarron Turnpike for about 44.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.7 mi from Ponca City, OK · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 46.7 miles from Ponca City, 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
$14.59 one way
$29.17 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.02 | $32.03 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.95 | $35.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.60 | $41.20 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.20
Cimarron Turnpike
(44.1 mi)
$2.20
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
$15
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28 | 0 | $9.80 | $4.48 |
| Efficient EV | 23.3 | 0 | $8.16 | $3.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.3 | 0 | $13.06 | $5.97 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Tulsa, OK
Night in Tulsa on Tuesday
Local time
11:29 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
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 43m 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 Ponca City, OK to Tulsa, OK covers 93.3 miles and takes about 1h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Cimarron Turnpike, US 177, Sand Springs Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 46.7 miles from Ponca City, OK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.59 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 93.3 miles you will encounter 11 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 23.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 23.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Ponca City, OK to Tulsa, OK does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Tulsa, OK
More trips to Tulsa, OK
Explore more options from Ponca City, OK or browse trips ending in Tulsa, OK.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse OK road trips.
Explore maps for Ponca City, OK or Tulsa, OK on MapSof.net.