Origin
Sapulpa, OK
Afternoon in Sapulpa on Thursday
Local time
4:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sapulpa, OK to Tulsa, OK
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
20m
Distance
14.6 mi
23 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
5 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 18m
★
6 AM
0h 20m
8 AM
0h 23m
10 AM
0h 21m
12 PM
0h 21m
3 PM
0h 21m
5 PM
0h 23m
8 PM
0h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sapulpa, OK
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick commute or a simple transition between Sapulpa and Tulsa, this 14.6-mile trip is an ideal candidate for a one-day excursion. You will spend roughly 20 minutes on the road, moving through the heart of the Great Plains. Given the short duration, there is no need to worry about overnight lodging or complex itineraries. With a fuel cost estimate of just $2, this is an incredibly budget-friendly route for any traveler. Whether you are heading into the city for business or just exploring the local area, this straightforward connection keeps your travel time minimal and your planning effortless.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 20m. Total distance: 14.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
5 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: excellent.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that transitions quickly as you move between these two Oklahoma towns. Your journey relies on a combination of I-44 East, the Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike, and the Skelly Bypass to navigate the distance. Because this route functions as a direct link, you won't encounter long, monotonous stretches of open highway; instead, you should stay alert for the frequent transitions between these major thoroughfares. The road design emphasizes efficiency, prioritizing speed over scenic detours. Keep your eyes on the signage as you merge through these specific bypasses and turnpikes to ensure you stay on the most direct path to your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 5.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike and Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 14.6 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 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles (I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 44 East: Tulsa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 44 East: Tulsa
9
8.7 mi into trip
|
~10m 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...
8
13.5 mi into trip
|
~16m 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
14.1 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
South Frisco Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto South Frisco Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
14.2 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
West 3rd Street South
Turn left onto West 3rd Street South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sapulpa, OK and Tulsa, OK, road signs point toward Sand Springs and Downtown.
Sand Springs
8.7 mi in
|
~10m
|
via I 244
Downtown
13.5 mi in
|
~16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike | 5.9 mi | 5m |
| Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| Skelly Bypass | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| West 3rd Street South | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| West Heavy Traffic Way South | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Lawton Avenue West | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 2nd Street South | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
— 5.9 mi, about 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sapulpa, OK and Tulsa, OK.
1
Start on OK 97
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Use the left lane.
3
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 44 East: Tulsa
Use the straight lane.
4
Merge onto I 44
5.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 44; OK 66
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Skelly Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
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.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 4C
Toward 7th Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
8
Turn left onto South Lawton Avenue West
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Lawton Avenue West
Use the left lane.
9
Turn straight onto West Heavy Traffic Way South
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
West Heavy Traffic Way South
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
10
Continue on West 2nd Street South
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
West 2nd Street South
11
At end of road, turn right onto South Frisco Avenue
386 ft
·
20 sec
·
South Frisco Avenue
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto West 3rd Street South
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West 3rd Street South
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
13
Turn left onto South Boulder Avenue West
390 ft
·
15 sec
·
South Boulder Avenue West
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
14
Arrive at destination
South Boulder Avenue West
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.3 mi from Sapulpa, OK · 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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 14.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 7.3 miles from Sapulpa, 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
$2.28 one way
$4.57 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $2.51 | $5.01 |
| premium | $4.89 | $2.81 | $5.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.22 | $6.45 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.29
Turner Turnpike
(5.9 mi)
$0.29
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Tolls
$0
Total
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
5 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Francis Energy Charging Station
Sand Springs, Oklahoma
Other
1 DCFC
Francis Energy Charging Station
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Other
1 DCFC
Francis Energy Charging Station
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Other
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Tulsa, Oklahoma
EV Connect
1 DCFC
DynamicEVC Charging Station
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Other
1 DCFC
Other: 4
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.4 | 0 | $1.53 | $0.70 |
| Efficient EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.28 | $0.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.8 | 0 | $2.04 | $0.93 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Afternoon in Tulsa on Thursday
Local time
4:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
2 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
20m 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 Sapulpa, OK to Tulsa, OK covers 14.6 miles and takes about 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike, Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway, Skelly Bypass. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.3 miles from Sapulpa, OK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.28 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 is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 14.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles (I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Sapulpa, OK and Tulsa, OK, road signs point toward Sand Springs and Downtown.
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