Trip from Sallisaw, OK to Tulsa, OK

Drive Time

1h 42m

Distance

94.7 mi

152 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Sallisaw, OK

Sewupari Studio

Trip Overview

Connecting Sallisaw to Tulsa is a straightforward 94.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 42 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this trip is perfectly suited as a quick day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $14 on fuel, making it a very cost-effective route within the Great Plains. You will transition from Sallisaw to Tulsa by utilizing the Muskogee Turnpike, the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, and the Broken Arrow Expressway. Whether you are heading into the city for business or a change of pace, this drive offers a reliable and efficient connection between these two Oklahoma points.

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

47.3 miles from Sallisaw, OK

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a highway-focused drive, with roughly 70% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will quickly settle into a rhythm once you merge onto the Muskogee Turnpike, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 55.7 miles. The personality of the road is consistent and fast-paced, prioritizing efficiency over winding backroads. As you progress toward Tulsa, the transition from the turnpike to the Broken Arrow Expressway signals your arrival into the more developed metropolitan area. Expect a steady, predictable experience behind the wheel that allows you to maintain a consistent speed for the majority of the 1 hour and 42-minute duration.

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.

Muskogee Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 55.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Muskogee Turnpike and Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near I 40 Business.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 1.9 miles (I 40 Business): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

1.9 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 40 Business

Take the ramp onto I 40 Business toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City

23.2 mi into trip | ~26m in

Take the exit toward OK 351: Muskogee, Tulsa

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 286 Toward OK 351: Muskogee, Tulsa

93.3 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in

Take the exit toward Detroit Avenue, 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. Toward Detroit Avenue, Downtown

94.4 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in | East 3rd Street South

At end of road, turn left onto East 3rd Street South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

94.6 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in | South Boulder Avenue West

Turn right onto South Boulder Avenue West

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Muskogee Turnpike	55.7 mi	54m
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway	21.1 mi	21m
Broken Arrow Expressway	10.5 mi	12m
Disabled American Veterans Highway	3.4 mi	3m
South Boston Avenue East	0.7 mi	2m
North Wheeler Street	0.6 mi	1m
West Ruth Avenue	0.5 mi	1m
East Iola Avenue	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Muskogee Turnpike — 55.7 mi, about 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

37 ft · 1 sec · this road

Turn slight right onto North Wheeler Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Wheeler Street

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Turn right onto South Opdyke Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · South Opdyke Street

Turn right onto East Iola Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Iola Avenue

Use the straight / left lanes.

Continue on West Ruth Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Ruth Avenue

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Turn left onto I 40 Business; US 59

301 ft · 10 sec · Kerr Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp onto I 40 Business

0.3 mi · 35 sec · I 40 Business

Toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 40

21 mi · 21 min · Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

400 ft · 5 sec

Exit 286 Toward OK 351: Muskogee, Tulsa Use the slight right lane.

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 24 sec · this road

Continue on OK 351

14 mi · 14 min · Muskogee Turnpike

Keep slight right at fork onto OK 351

41 mi · 39 min · Muskogee Turnpike

Use the none lane.

Continue on OK 51

3.4 mi · 3 min · Disabled American Veterans Highway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on OK 51

380 ft · 5 sec · Representative David Brumbaugh Memorial Bridge

Continue on OK 51

11 mi · 12 min · Broken Arrow Expressway

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward Detroit Avenue, Downtown Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto East 13th Street South

0.2 mi · 28 sec · East 13th Street South

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn right onto South Boston Avenue East

0.7 mi · 2 min · South Boston Avenue East

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

At end of road, turn left onto East 3rd Street South

0.1 mi · 31 sec · East 3rd Street South

Use the left lane.

Turn right 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 regarding your departure time, though leaving mid-morning can help you avoid typical city traffic as you approach Tulsa. You won't need to plan for any formal stops given the sub-two-hour travel time, but keeping your fuel budget around $14 in mind will help you stay on track for the day. Be prepared for the transition between the turnpike and the expressway, as traffic patterns can shift quickly as you move closer to the city. Because you won't be stopping for breaks, ensure your vehicle is prepped before leaving Sallisaw to maintain your momentum. Taking advantage of the direct highway access is the best way to keep your transit time as close to the estimated 1 hour and 42 minutes as possible.

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 47.3 miles from Sallisaw, OK, or about 50m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.7 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 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 47.3 miles or 50m 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 20m

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 Sallisaw, 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 Sallisaw, OK

This is one driving day of about 94.7 miles and 1h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sallisaw, 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 Muskogee Turnpike for about 55.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 47.3 mi from Sallisaw, OK · 50m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Paris, TX

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

Paris, TX

Fuel and coffee

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

Paris, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 47.3 miles from Sallisaw, 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

$14.38 one way

$28.77 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 33 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$15.86	$31.71
premium	$4.80	$17.88	$35.75
diesel	$5.64	$21.04	$42.08

Estimated Tolls: $3.90

Muskogee Turnpike (55.7 mi) $3.90

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

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 33.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	28.4	$9.94	$4.55
Efficient EV	23.7	$8.29	$3.79
EV Truck/SUV	37.9	$13.26	$6.06

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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Sallisaw, OK

Afternoon in Sallisaw on Sunday

Local time

2:44 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tulsa, OK

Afternoon in Tulsa on Sunday

Local time

2:44 PM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

63°F

Paris, TX

47 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

6 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 42m 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 Sallisaw, OK to Tulsa, OK covers 94.7 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Muskogee Turnpike, Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, Broken Arrow 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 47.3 miles from Sallisaw, OK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.38 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 route from Sallisaw, OK to Tulsa, OK does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Sallisaw, OK to Tulsa, OK

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

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

Sallisaw, OK

Tulsa, OK

Same local time

6 degrees cooler at arrival

1h 42m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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