Oklahoma state driving guide

Before driving around Oklahoma, it’s a good idea to get to grips with all the rules of the road. In this guide, we’ll give you the lowdown on the ins and outs, from the speed limit to toll roads in Oklahoma.

You’ll feel like an expert before you even get behind the wheel.

Jump to a section:

• Quick rules of the road
• Speed limits
• Toll roads
• Driving ages
• Speed violations
  
• Driving with children
• Gas prices
• Electric car charging
• Driving between Oklahoma and other states
• Driving conditions

Quick rules of the road

• If two vehicles arrive at a stop at around the same time, the vehicle on the right has right of way in Oklahoma.
• You should signal your turn within 100 feet – or one third of a block – before your turn arrives. If you need to turn without your blinker, you must extend your arm and hand out straight for a left turn. To turn right, move your hand upward. Signal you’re slowing down or stopping by pointing your hand and arm downwards.
• You must use headlights from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise in Oklahoma. You must also use them in adverse weather conditions when your windshield wipers are needed.
• Text messaging is banned for all drivers, and cell phone use is only allowed by commercial drivers, public transit drivers and school bus drivers.

Speed limits in Oklahoma

Oklahoma speed limits define the highest speed motorists can legally drive on roads in the state. Driving over the limits can result in a traffic citation, a fine, a license suspension or arrest.

Toll roads in Oklahoma

Oklahoma has an extensive system of toll roads. All 11 are maintained by the state government’s Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. Oklahoma tolls can be paid for with PikePass or PlatePay. Here are some of the most important toll roads to know:

Cherokee Turnpike

This four-lane tollway is 32.8 miles long and carries the US 412 from east of Kansas [DS(S2] to east of Chouteau.

From: US60

To: Flint Bridge/State Line

Cost for cars: $3.25 cash, $2.80 with PikePass.

Cost for trucks: The cost to use the Cherokee Turnpike increases depending on the number of axles on your vehicle. Prices range from $3.95 to $13.25 depending on your entry and exit points, and whether you have PikePass or not.

How to pay: Cash or PikePass

Chickasaw Turnpike

Chickasaw is a short turnpike in rural southwestern Oklahoma. It’s a two-lane freeway running for 13.3 miles.

From: SH 7

To: SH 1

Cost for cars: $1.50 with PlatePay, $0.65 with PikePass.

Cost for trucks: $0.85-$5.45, depending on your entry and exit points and payment method.

How to pay: PlatePay or PikePass

Cimarron Turnpike

The Cimarron Turnpike is located in north-central Oklahoma and travels 67 miles from north of Perry to Westport. The route also features a 7.2-mile spur from the mainline southwest to north of Stillwater.

From: I-35

To: US 64/SH 48/Tulsa

Cost for cars: $2.75 cash, $2.60 with PlatePay, $3.30 with PikePass.

Cost for trucks: $3.25-$13.40, depending on your entry and exit points and payment method.

How to pay: Cash, PlatePay or PikePass

Creek Turnpike

Also known as State Highway 364, Creek Turnpike is a 33.22-mile-long freeway-standard toll road.

From: SH 66/Sapulpa

To: US 412/Admiral PI/Will Rogers Turnpike

Cost for cars: $3.75 cash, $3.00 with PikePass.

Cost for trucks: $4.50-$14.50, depending on your entry and exit points and payment method.

How to pay: Cash or PikePass

HE Bailey Turnpike

This toll road is 86.4 miles long and located in the south-west of Oklahoma. It’s a four-lane limited access highway.

From: SH 9/US 62/US 277

To: I-44/State Line

Cost for cars: $12.20 with PlatePay, $5.10 with PikePass.

Cost for trucks: $6.65-$44.75, depending on your entry and exit points and payment method.

How to pay: PlatePay or PikePass

Indian Nation Turnpike

The Indian Nation Turnpike is 105.2 miles long and located in the south-east of the state. It’s the longest toll road in Oklahoma.

From: I-40/Henryetta

To: SH 70/US 271/Hugo

Cost for cars: $7.75 cash, $6.20 with PikePass.

Cost for trucks: $7.00-$28.50, depending on your entry and exit points and payment method.

How to pay: Cash or PikePass

Kickapoo Turnpike

The Kickapoo Turnpike is a 21-mile toll road in Oklahoma. Its northern section opened in 2020 and the southern in 2021.

From: I-44/Turner Turnpike

To: I-40

Cost for cars: $3.95 PlatePay, $1.90 PikePass.

Cost for trucks: $2.85-$17.95, depending on your entry and exit points and payment method.

How to pay: PlatePay or PikePass

Kilpatrick Turnpike

This turnpike forms a partial loop from the west to the east.

From: I-35/Turner Turnpike

To: I-40/Southwest JKT

Cost for cars: $5.30 with PlatePay, $2.55 with PikePass.

Cost for trucks: $3.30-$17.20, depending on your entry and exit points and payment method.

How to pay: PlatePay or PikePass

Muskogee Turnpike

Also known as State Highway 351, the Muskogee Turnpike is in eastern Oklahoma.

From: Creek Turnpike/Tulsa

To: I-40

Cost for cars: $4.00 cash, $3.30 with PikePass.

Cost for trucks: $4.45-$13.75, depending on your entry and exit points and payment method.

How to pay: Cash or PikePass

Turner Turnpike

The Turner Turnpike connects the two largest cities in the state – Oklahoma City and Tulsa.  It’s the oldest turnpike in Oklahoma.

From: I-35/Kilpatrick Turnpike

To: SH 51/Broken Arrow Expressway

Cost for cars: $7.10 cash, $6.20 with PikePass.

Cost for trucks: $9.55-$32.75, depending on your entry and exit points and payment method.

How to pay: Cash or PikePass

Will Rogers Turnpike

This turnpike is a freeway-standard toll road in the north-east of Oklahoma. It begins as a continuation of the Creek Turnpike.

From: I-44/Tulsa

To: I-44/State Line

Cost for cars: $7.10 cash, $6.20 with PikePass.

Cost for trucks: $6.95-$25.00, depending on your entry and exit points and payment method.

How to pay: Cash or PikePass

Driving ages and license requirements in Oklahoma

• The minimum driving age in Oklahoma with a full driver’s license is 16 years and six months.
• The minimum age to rent a car in Oklahoma with Hertz is 21.
• Renting a car with Hertz under the age of 25 may involve paying a daily Young Renter fee, but there are exceptions.

If you’re aged 21 to 25, you can get more tips about renting with Hertz in our guide to car rental for drivers under 25.

Essential equipment to carry in your car in Oklahoma

In your vehicle, you should have:

• A spare tire
• Jump cables
• A tool kit
• A wheel wrench
• A flashlight
• Batteries
• Reflective triangles
• A compass

For a list of items that you can’t carry in your Hertz car, please check your rental agreement.

Oklahoma speed violations, infractions and penalties

Breaking the speed limit in Oklahoma can result in a penalty or fine. The severity of the penalty depends on your speed and your driving history. The general penalties are:

• $10 fine for speeding 1-10mph over the speed limit.
• $20 fine for speeding 11-15mph over the limit.
• $35 fine for speeding 16-20mph over the limit.
• $75 fine for speeding 21-25mph over the limit.
• $135 fine for speeding 26-30mph over the limit.
• $155 fine for speeding 31-35mph over the limit.
• $205 fine for speeding 36mph or more over the limit.

The maximum penalty for violating basic speeding laws is $384.90 and/or 30 days in jail.

Driving with children in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, the law requires every child under eight years of age to be properly secured in a child passenger restraint.

• 0-2 years old: Children must be secured correctly in a rear-facing car seat.
• 2-4 years old: Must be in a car seat.
• 4-8 years old: Must be in a car seat or child booster seat, until the child is taller than 4’9”.
• 8 years old or taller than 4’9”: Must wear a seatbelt.

Gas prices in Oklahoma

The average gas price in Oklahoma is $3.48 per gallon.

Based on manufacturers’ average fuel figures:

• For a small car such as a Ford Focus, that’s about $0.09 per mile.
• For a larger family car such as a Nissan Pathfinder, it works out at $0.12 per mile.
• For an SUV such as a Ford Expedition, it’s around $0.14 per mile.

Gas price figure last updated October 20, 2022.

Electric car charging in Oklahoma

There are more than 1,000 electric charging stations in Oklahoma. Many can be found in the larger cities, including more than 240 in Oklahoma City. Fast-charging stations are located at gas stations, restaurants, shopping malls and grocery stores.

You can also find charging points along Oklahoma’s major highways, but there are fewer to be found in the state’s rural areas.

Planning is under way to ensure drivers will be able to drive anywhere in Oklahoma without traveling more than 50 miles to recharge.

Driving between Oklahoma and other states

Rent a car with Hertz and you can drive through Oklahoma to visit neighboring states such as Texas in the south, Kansas to the north, Arkansas to the right or New Mexico to the left.

Please note, you can’t drive your Hertz rental into Mexico from Oklahoma.

Driving conditions in Oklahoma

Much of Oklahoma is in the Great Plains and US Interior Highlands. These regions are prone to severe weather conditions. On average, 54 tornadoes hit the state per year, and several areas in Oklahoma lie in a region dubbed ‘Tornado Alley’. Excessive rain can also occur.