Take a drive through the heart of Tulsa as we follow a bustling yet iconic 10-mile stretch of Interstate 44 westbound, beginning at the 31st Street interchange (Exit 231) and winding our way through southern Tulsa to the junction with historic Oklahoma Route 66 (Exit 221B). This brief but vibrant segment of I-44 captures the rhythm of Oklahoma’s second-largest city—a place where expressways thread through heritage and modern sprawl, and the Arkansas River rolls beneath it all.
We begin our journey near the 31st Street interchange, just east of Lewis Avenue, in a corridor thick with mid-century neighborhoods and legacy businesses. Almost immediately, the surroundings speak to Tulsa’s evolution: older homes on tree-lined streets are shadowed by more recent commercial growth, where gas stations, shopping centers, and fast food joints mark the edges of suburban development. The traffic here is steady, a blend of commuters and long-haul drivers moving between the city’s core and its southern and eastern periphery. This section of I-44 is also part of the Will Rogers Turnpike corridor farther northeast, a reminder of the state’s deep ties to highway history and the Mother Road itself.
Just a few miles in, the interstate crosses U.S. Route 75—one of Tulsa’s major north-south arteries. This busy interchange serves as a key pivot point for travelers heading downtown or toward the northern refineries and industrial sectors, and it’s where we briefly skirt the southern fringe of the Brookside district, one of Tulsa’s most beloved neighborhoods known for its nightlife, art galleries, and eclectic local businesses. It’s not directly visible from the freeway, but if you know where to look, the tops of office buildings and high-rise apartments hint at the city’s increasingly urban character.
Approaching the Arkansas River, the landscape opens slightly as we ascend onto the bridge. Below, the river glimmers in the Oklahoma sun—wide and often shallow, framed by recreation trails and riverside parks. This crossing is one of the most scenic urban segments of I-44, even if fleeting, and it serves as a symbolic midpoint of the drive. As we descend into West Tulsa, the terrain becomes a bit hillier, and the freeway bends to the south and west—geographically and in terms of energy. The architecture shifts again: commercial development fades slightly in favor of warehouse zones, older shopping plazas, and the first hints of the Route 66 corridor just ahead.
We conclude our drive at Exit 221B, the connection to Oklahoma State Highway 66—better known as Route 66. Here, just before I-44 officially transitions toward Sapulpa, we meet the shadow of Tulsa’s past. This interchange lies close to the historic Red Fork neighborhood, a once-independent town absorbed by Tulsa, and a key stop on the original Route 66 alignment. It’s not unusual to spot motels with retro signage or roadside diners that have survived the highway’s many changes. Just west of here, the freeway’s character shifts again, becoming more rural and eventually reclaiming its turnpike identity.
This stretch of I-44 offers more than just an urban connector—it’s a snapshot of Tulsa’s diverse identities. From residential eastside roots to midtown’s cultural energy, from riverfront crossings to the echoes of Route 66, it embodies the city’s balancing act between honoring tradition and embracing change. Whether you’re simply passing through or diving into Tulsa’s many layers, this short drive delivers a rich and unmistakably Oklahoman experience.
🗺️ Route Map
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