Neon landmarks, creative cities & granite peaks
This is leg 1 of 2, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Oklahoma Route 66
Tulsa to Oklahoma City
Tulsa and Oklahoma City sit about 157 km (98 mi) apart in a straight line, with Oklahoma City to the south-west. It is leg 1 of 2 on our Oklahoma Route 66 itinerary, a 6-day trip. Here is how long it takes by car, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 157 km · 98 mi
- Est. road distance
- 189–220 km
- Est. drive time
- 2 h – 3 h 30 min
- Direction
- Heading south-west
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By car
Most travelers on our Oklahoma Route 66 itinerary do this leg by car. We estimate 189–220 km (117–137 mi) of road and 2 h – 3 h 30 min behind the wheel, so check live traffic before you set off.
This is a driving route, true to the Route 66 spirit. Tulsa and Oklahoma City are linked by highway, and the Wichita Mountains are a separate drive southwest. Rental cars are common, and downtown areas can be walked once you park.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Oklahoma City
A full day covers the Memorial, the Cowboy Museum, Route 66 on 23rd Street and a steak at the Stockyards.
Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
Outdoor memorial and museum for the 1995 bombing victims.
Myriad Botanical Gardens
Downtown gardens around the cylindrical Crystal Bridge conservatory.
Picasso Cafe
Paseo Arts District restaurant with a patio and local art on the walls.
Stonecloud Brewing Co.
Film Row taproom pouring well-regarded IPAs and pilsners.
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Large museum of Western art, rodeo history and a recreated frontier town.
Tower Theatre
Restored 1937 movie house with a neon marquee on Route 66's 23rd Street.
Before you leave Tulsa
Give Tulsa a full day for Art Deco downtown, the Philbrook and the Gathering Place, with an evening at Cain's or the Blue Dome district.
On this curated route
Where Tulsa → Oklahoma City sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Oklahoma City to Tulsa is the same 157 km in a straight line, heading north-east. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
Average daytime highs at both ends stay within 1°C of each other all year, so you can pack the same way for both.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulsa high | 8° | 10° | 17° | 22° | 26° | 31° | 35° | 34° | 30° | 23° | 16° | 9° |
| Oklahoma City high | 9° | 11° | 17° | 23° | 27° | 32° | 35° | 34° | 29° | 23° | 16° | 9° |
| Tulsa rain | 45 | 48 | 77 | 104 | 144 | 113 | 93 | 101 | 86 | 93 | 54 | 52 |
| Oklahoma City rain | 32 | 39 | 62 | 89 | 129 | 113 | 85 | 94 | 77 | 81 | 39 | 38 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Oklahoma City month guides.
Tulsa to Oklahoma City: questions travelers ask
How far is Tulsa from Oklahoma City?
Tulsa is about 157 km (98 mi) from Oklahoma City in a straight line, with Oklahoma City to the south-west. By road, we estimate 189–220 km (117–137 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Tulsa to Oklahoma City?
An estimated 2 h – 3 h 30 min, assuming 189–220 km of road at average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from Tulsa to Oklahoma City?
Our Oklahoma Route 66 itinerary includes this leg. Oklahoma Route 66 runs about 6 days across 3 stops, best in Mar – May.
Onward from Oklahoma City
Guides for both ends
- Tulsa travel guide
- Tulsa weather best time to visit
- Oklahoma City travel guide
- Oklahoma City weather best time to visit
Oklahoma City by month
Plan Tulsa → Oklahoma City with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.