Origin
Tulsa, OK
Afternoon in Tulsa on Sunday
Local time
1:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Drive Time
37m
Distance
28 mi
45 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
Photo: Elizabeth Celestino
If you are looking for a quick excursion within the Great Plains, the 28-mile journey from Tulsa to Claremore is an ideal choice. Expect to spend about 37 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a stress-free day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-44, the Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway, and South Lynn Riggs Boulevard. Budgeting roughly $4 for fuel makes this a highly economical route for a spontaneous outing. Given the short duration and proximity of these Oklahoma cities, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your schedule without worrying about long-haul fatigue.
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
14 miles from Tulsa, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
This highway-focused drive is straightforward and efficient, with 74% of the trip spent on high-speed roads. You will find yourself cruising along the interstate for the majority of the time, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 11.3 miles on I-44. The transition from the urban expressway to the regional highways provides a consistent, predictable pace that is easy to manage. While the road lacks the technical challenges of mountain passes, it offers a functional and direct path between these two points. You can expect a steady drive that prioritizes speed and convenience over winding backroads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 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 early in the drive near West 2nd Street South.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 28 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: near the start (West 2nd Street South): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.4 miles (I 44): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto West 2nd Street South
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 toward I 44 East: Joplin, Claremore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward OK 266 West: Claremore, Port of Catoosa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward PIKEPASS Only
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward OK 66: Claremore, Catoosa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Tulsa, OK and Claremore, OK, road signs point toward Port Of Catoosa, Pikepass Only and Catoosa.
Port Of Catoosa
Pikepass Only
Catoosa
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 44 | 11.3 mi | 12m |
| Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway | 9.1 mi | 10m |
| South Lynn Riggs Boulevard | 5.5 mi | 8m |
| West 2nd Street South | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| OK 266 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Will Rogers Boulevard | <0.1 mi | Refreshing |
| South Boulder Avenue West | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Tulsa, OK and Claremore, OK.
Start on South Boulder Avenue West
Turn left onto West 2nd Street South
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 244; US 412
Continue on I 44; US 412; OK 66
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on OK 266
Take the exit
Turn right
Turn straight onto OK 66; US Historic 66
Turn left onto OK 88
Arrive at destination
Since the total travel time is under 40 minutes, you can easily fit this trip into any part of your day without complex planning. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you have the freedom to head out whenever it suits your itinerary. Keep in mind that the route is heavily reliant on major highways, so checking traffic conditions on I-44 before you depart is a smart way to ensure a smooth transition. Since fuel costs are minimal at approximately $4, you won't need to stress about budgeting for extra stops or detours along the way. Use the short travel time to your advantage by keeping your gear light and enjoying the quick transition between the two cities.
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.
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 28 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Claremore, OK than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Tulsa, 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 Tulsa, OK
This is one driving day of about 28 miles and 37m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14 mi from Tulsa, OK · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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.
A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 14 miles from Tulsa, OK, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Claremore, 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 Claremore, OK.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$4.25 one way
$8.51 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $4.69 | $9.38 |
| premium | $4.80 | $5.29 | $10.57 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.22 | $12.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.4 | 0 | $2.94 | $1.34 |
| Efficient EV | 7 | 0 | $2.45 | $1.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.2 | 0 | $3.92 | $1.79 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Tulsa on Sunday
Local time
1:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Claremore on Sunday
Local time
1:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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