Tulsa to Oakland is 174.7 miles and takes about 3 hours 23 minutes via Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Oklahoma, beginning in the Great Plains region and ending in the same area. Expect a drive with a good number of turns, so keep your focus sharp. With only one recommended stop and a drive time under four hours, this is a straightforward, same-day journey for most travelers.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
87.3 miles from Tulsa, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 174.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route presents a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll encounter frequent changes in direction rather than a continuous highway cruise. With 28% of the journey on highways, there are moments of faster travel, but the majority involves navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 108.3 miles along Veterans Memorial Highway. As you progress, be prepared for the road to shift between higher-speed sections and more winding, local segments.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Veterans Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 108.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 174.7 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 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles (I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 49 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.9 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 244 West, US 75 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 244 West, US 75 South
7
3.4 mi into trip|~6m in|I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway toward I 244 West: Oklahoma City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 244 West: Oklahoma City
8
49 mi into trip|~51m in
Take the exit toward US 377, OK 99: Stroud, Drumright
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 179
Toward US 377, OK 99: Stroud, Drumright
7
124 mi into trip|~2h 18m in|US 377; OK 99 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Take the exit onto US 377; OK 99 / Veterans Memorial Highway toward US 377, OK 99 South: Fittstown, Tishomingo, Madill
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 377, OK 99 South: Fittstown, Tishomin...
7
173.2 mi into trip|~3h 20m in|US 70; OK 199 / North 1st Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 70; OK 199 / North 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tulsa, OK and Oakland, OK, road signs point toward Drumright, Tishomingo and Madill.
Drumright
49 mi in|~51m
Tishomingo
124 mi in|~2h 18m|via US 377; OK 99
Madill
124 mi in|~2h 18m|via US 377; OK 99
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
108.3 mi
2h 5m
Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
42.3 mi
41m
Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
4.8 mi
5m
South 8th Avenue
3.3 mi
3m
North Jim Thorpe Boulevard
3.3 mi
3m
North Milt Phillips Avenue
2.9 mi
3m
North Kemp Avenue
1.8 mi
3m
North 8th Avenue
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 108.3 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tulsa, OK and Oakland, OK.
1
Start on South Boulder Avenue West
0.3 mi·1 min·South Boulder Avenue West
Use the straight / left lanes.
2
Turn right onto West 6th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West 6th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Continue on West 7th Street
0.3 mi·54 sec·West 7th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 244 West, US 75 SouthUse the straight lane.
5
Merge onto I 244
2.3 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 244
2.6 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway
Toward I 244 West: Oklahoma CityUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 44; OK 66
0.7 mi·55 sec·Skelly Bypass
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 44
42 mi·41 min·Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike
Toward I 44 West: Oklahoma CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 179Toward US 377, OK 99: Stroud, DrumrightUse the right lane.
10
Turn right onto OK 99; US 377
1.1 mi·1 min·North 8th Avenue
Use the right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto OK 99; US 377
3.3 mi·3 min·South 8th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on OK 99; US 377
13 mi·14 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on OK 99; US 377
3.3 mi·3 min·North Jim Thorpe Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
14
Continue on OK 99; US 377
14 mi·16 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Continue on OK 99; US 377
2.9 mi·3 min·North Milt Phillips Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 377; OK 3E; OK 99
19 mi·22 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto US 377; OK 3E; OK 99
17 mi·20 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit onto US 377; OK 99
16 mi·19 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward US 377, OK 99 South: Fittstown, Tishomingo, MadillUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on OK 99; US 377
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on OK 99; US 377
17 mi·19 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 377; OK 99
1.8 mi·3 min·North Kemp Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22
Turn right onto US 377; OK 22; OK 99
1.1 mi·2 min·West Main Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
23
Continue on US 377; OK 22; OK 99
12 mi·13 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
24
Turn right onto East Wolf Street
0.9 mi·2 min·East Wolf Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
At end of road, turn right onto US 70; OK 199
0.5 mi·1 min·North 1st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn left onto US 70
1.0 mi·1 min·US 70
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
US 70
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 23-minute duration, starting your drive in Tulsa in the morning allows ample time to reach Oakland comfortably. Plan for your single recommended stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point, to break up the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 108.3-mile stretch on Veterans Memorial Highway, as services might be less frequent. Since this is a relatively short, same-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart a bit later if needed, but aim to avoid arriving in Oakland too late in the evening.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 87.3 miles from Tulsa, OK, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.3 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 38 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.3 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oakland, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 174.7 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Tulsa, OK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Veterans Memorial Highway for about 108.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87.3 mi from Tulsa, OK
· 1h 36m into the drive
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.31 one way
$54.62 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.99
$59.98
premium
$4.89
$33.62
$67.24
diesel
$5.61
$38.57
$77.14
Estimated Tolls: $2.12
Turner Turnpike
(42.3 mi)$2.12
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
$27
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.4
0
$18.34
$8.39
Efficient EV
43.7
0
$15.29
$6.99
EV Truck/SUV
69.9
0
$24.46
$11.18
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Tulsa, OK
Morning
in Tulsa on Saturday
Local time
7:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oakland, OK
Morning
in Oakland on Saturday
Local time
7:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
12 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
3h 23m 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 Tulsa, OK to Oakland, OK covers 174.7 miles and takes about 3h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Veterans Memorial Highway, Governor Roy Joseph Turner Turnpike, Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 87.3 miles from Tulsa, OK. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.31 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 174.7 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 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles (I 244 / Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 49 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Tulsa, OK and Oakland, OK, road signs point toward Drumright, Tishomingo and Madill.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
