Hey Okies (or anyone else with knowledge of Oklahoma highways) - Could use some help

[OnTheWarpath15]

Heading to the northern suburbs of Dallas next week (from STL) and was wondering about the route I should take.

Google Maps says to jump on to US75/69 in Tulsa and take that into Texas. From my home, this route is 620 miles and will take approximately 10.5 hours.

I've heard several bad things about this route - namely the slowing down through small towns, and the speed traps/crooked cops.

My other option is to stay on 44 to OKC, and jump on 35 South to the burbs of Dallas. This route is 60 miles longer, and is claiming to be 45 minutes longer.

So a few questions - what are the speed limits on these stretches, are my concerns about speed traps and constant slowing down for pissant towns valid, and finally, what's the story behind the "no tolerance" signs on the turnpikes? Have any of you guys actually been pulled over and ticketed for <5 MPH over the posted limit?

(and anyone who can give some insight into these routes once you cross into Texas can/should chime in as well)

Rep to all helpful posts.

[Earthling]

Myself, I would probably go to 35 on into Dallas. Mostly because that's the route I'm more familiar with. I think 70 is the max speed there now but it seems most are doing 75...higher as you get closer to Dallas. Its hotter than hell there about this time of year I imagine. Have fun. :thumb:

[OnTheWarpath15]

Myself, I would probably go to 35 on into Dallas. Mostly because that's the route I'm more familiar with. I think 70 is the max speed there now but it seems most are doing 75...higher as you get closer to Dallas. Its hotter than hell there about this time of year I imagine. Have fun. :thumb:

It's been 108 here the past two days, forecast calling for 106 tomorrow.

Never thought I'd go to Dallas in the summer and get a "break" from the heat.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Another question for anyone that reads this - any construction issues on 44 and/or 35?

[Earthling]

Good lord! I'm heading that way around the 8th of August. Maybe the heat will follow you out of there. :p

[OnTheWarpath15]

Good lord! I'm heading that way around the 8th of August. Maybe the heat will follow you out of there. :p

We're forecasted for triple digits through NEXT Friday.

It's 104 right now. 7:00 at night. Unreal.

[Earthling]

I think you can use google to check on construction and such...Highway Dept. or something.

[OnTheWarpath15]

I think you can use google to check on construction and such...Highway Dept. or something.

Yeah, I've tried. Pretty hit or miss.

Figure we have enough guys on this board that live there, drive it often and can give accurate info.

[ChiefsCountry]

No need to go into Tulsa even. Just get of Highway 69 off I-44. It's really not that bad of a trip to Dallas that way.

[Earthling]

Where you at OTWP?

[OnTheWarpath15]

Where you at OTWP?

St. Louis.

[OnTheWarpath15]

No need to go into Tulsa even. Just get of Highway 69 off I-44. It's really not that bad of a trip to Dallas that way.

So no issues with slowing to a crawl in small towns, speed traps, etc?

Getting stuck behind a tractor?

That route is listed as 20 miles shorter, but taking more time.

[ChiefsCountry]

So no issues with slowing to a crawl in small towns, speed traps, etc?

Getting stuck behind a tractor?

That route is listed as 20 miles shorter, but taking more time.

Not that I remember. I know my friend that lives in Houston takes that way back to Springfield all the time.
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[Dunit35]

Avoid Tulsa. Lots of construction around Tulsa, roads are kind of confusing.

[Great Expectations]

Take the HWY 69/Big Cabin exit south before Tulsa. Should save you over 30 minutes vs the S in Tulsa route which is faster than OKC.

Boomer

[Bugeater]

Watching your speed? We are.

[Paperboy405]

Best bet is just staying on I-44 to I-35, the route you described is litter with small towns with 30 MPH speed limits. I took that route in 2010 trying to outrun the OKC Blizzard and was pissed the whole time having to slow down trying to get to Atchison.
Speed Limit on 44 is 75, I-35 is 70. I always just what for some asshole to speed by me and use him as a decoy. Also I know they use aircraft radar on 69 when you are around Eufala.

[Dallas Chief]

Depends on where you are going in Dallas. North Suburbs is pretty general. If you are going to Lewisville take I-44 to 35 into Dallas. If you are going to Plano/McKinney, take the 69/75 Route and avoid Tulsa. If you decide to take the 69/75 route, watch your speed in Stringtown, OK. Major speed traps there. Safe travels...

[Dayze]

when you get to the fork in the road, take it.

[Monty]

Depends on where you are going in Dallas. North Suburbs is pretty general. If you are going to Lewisville take I-44 to 35 into Dallas. If you are going to Plano/McKinney, take the 69/75 Route and avoid Tulsa. If you decide to take the 69/75 route, watch your speed in Stringtown, OK. Major speed traps there. Safe travels...

This, this, and this. I've been busted twice in Stringtown.

Also, watch the area around the Choctaw casino and south about 3-4 miles, Calera area I believe.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Depends on where you are going in Dallas. North Suburbs is pretty general. If you are going to Lewisville take I-44 to 35 into Dallas. If you are going to Plano/McKinney, take the 69/75 Route and avoid Tulsa. If you decide to take the 69/75 route, watch your speed in Stringtown, OK. Major speed traps there. Safe travels...

This, this, and this. I've been busted twice in Stringtown.

Also, watch the area around the Choctaw casino and south about 3-4 miles, Calera area I believe.

Best I can tell, I'm looking at approximately 260 miles of 69/75 from Vinita, OK to McKinney, TX.

How many times should I expect to have to slow down or stop completely at stoplights in small towns along the way?

I've scoured the fucking internet looking for an answer, and I keep getting conflicting information. Some people say the roads are shitty and you're constantly getting slowed down through small towns, traffic, etc - while others say it's the preferred route.

I'd love to hear from someone who knows this route well and has taken it recently.

[Great Expectations]

It is both, you do have to slow down for some small towns, but they aren't very long.

I drove it two weeks ago, it saves around 30 minutes vs going through Tulsa. If you don't have a pike pass you have to slow down a ton going around Tulsa anyway.

[Bowser]

Best I can tell, I'm looking at approximately 260 miles of 69/75 from Vinita, OK to McKinney, TX.

How many times should I expect to have to slow down or stop completely at stoplights in small towns along the way?

I've scoured the fucking internet looking for an answer, and I keep getting conflicting information. Some people say the roads are shitty and you're constantly getting slowed down through small towns, traffic, etc - while others say it's the preferred route.

I'd love to hear from someone who knows this route well and has taken it recently.

I'd stay on 44 until Big Cabin. The toll will be a bit more but you get to hammer down on 44 for a few more miles.

I've only traveled as far as Waggner on 69/75, or around 50-60 miles. You'll have plenty of small towns to slow down/stop at, and there is a fair amount of construction going on to slow you down further.

[OnTheWarpath15]

I'd stay on 44 until Big Cabin. The toll will be a bit more but you get to hammer down on 44 for a few more miles.

I've only traveled as far as Waggner on 69/75, or around 50-60 miles. You'll have plenty of small towns to slow down/stop at, and there is a fair amount of construction going on to slow you down further.

I'm thinking I'm just going to take the extra time and stay on interstate the entire time. 44 to 35S. I can just set the cruise and go.

While shorter mileage-wise, the 69/75 route is sounding more and more like a royal pain in the ass.

[notorious]

Avoid Tulsa. Lots of construction around Tulsa, roads are kind of confusing.

The loop around downtown pisses me off. How long has that shit been going on?

[Dallas Chief]

Best I can tell, I'm looking at approximately 260 miles of 69/75 from Vinita, OK to McKinney, TX.

How many times should I expect to have to slow down or stop completely at stoplights in small towns along the way?

I've scoured the fucking internet looking for an answer, and I keep getting conflicting information. Some people say the roads are shitty and you're constantly getting slowed down through small towns, traffic, etc - while others say it's the preferred route.

I'd love to hear from someone who knows this route well and has taken it recently.

You will have to slow down 4-5 times total. Don't recall all of the town names but definitely McAlester, Atoka, Stringtown, and Durant. Not for more that 5-10 minutes each time, depending on the traffic lights.

No matter what, since you are going to McKinney, this is the way to go. If you take I-35, it will take you another 45 min to and hour to get across Dallas to get to McKinney, or even more if it during rush hour. Trust me on this. Take 69/75. Just watch your speed in small town city limits.

[Dallas Chief]

[QUOTE=Monty;8711542]This, this, and this. I've been busted twice in Stringtown.

Also, watch the area around the Choctaw casino and south about 3-4 miles, Calera area I believe.[/QUOTE}

I miss Friday's Front Row at the Ballpark on gamedays. I miss the Chiefs swag raffles. I miss Monty.:(

[OnTheWarpath15]

You will have to slow down 4-5 times total. Don't recall all of the town names but definitely McAlester, Atoka, Stringtown, and Durant. Not for more that 5-10 minutes each time, depending on the traffic lights.

No matter what, since you are going to McKinney, this is the way to go. If you take I-35, it will take you another 45 min to and hour to get across Dallas to get to McKinney, or even more if it during rush hour. Trust me on this. Take 69/75. Just watch your speed in small town city limits.

Actually heading to Frisco, I just used McKinney because that's where I'd get off 75.

Thanks for your help.

[58-4ever]

The speed limits are pretty generous from OKC to Dallas, and it's very hit or miss with police. Sometimes that route has a lot of cops because I-35 is a major drug trafficking route. However, my GPS always says it takes 3.5 hours, and it's a lot closer to 2.5 hours.

[58-4ever]

Avoid Tulsa. Lots of construction around Tulsa, roads are kind of confusing.

This. I've been to Tulsa at least 50 times and still get lost all the time.

[crazycoffey]

Take the HWY 69/Big Cabin exit south before Tulsa. Should save you over 30 minutes vs the S in Tulsa route which is faster than OKC.

Boomer


this is the route I use most often as well. all OK cops stop 5 over, muskogee (sp) has been the only spot where Ive been stopped a few times. when you going ONTW?


we're headed down next weekend to take youngest home and pick up oldest. shoot me a text if you'll be there between 7-10th

[OnTheWarpath15]

this is the route I use most often as well. all OK cops stop 5 over, muskogee (sp) has been the only spot where Ive been stopped a few times. when you going ONTW?


we're headed down next weekend to take youngest home and pick up oldest. shoot me a text if you'll be there between 7-10th

Leaving Tuesday, coming back Saturday.

[crazycoffey]

Leaving Tuesday, coming back Saturday.

have fun then bud, either way is ok, I don't have a problem with big cabin exit to 69, taken it many times over the last 10 years. few spots really open up, and make the pit stops when in one of the small towns. I also like driving at night more.

[Dunit35]

The loop around downtown pisses me off. How long has that shit been going on?

I went to Tulsa for the 1st time in 2008. The last time i went was January 2012. It looked like they hadn't accomplished much.

[Dave Lane]

Myself, I would probably go to 35 on into Dallas. Mostly because that's the route I'm more familiar with. I think 70 is the max speed there now but it seems most are doing 75...higher as you get closer to Dallas. Its hotter than hell there about this time of year I imagine. Have fun. :thumb:

yep

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Having lived there for 15 years, my advice is simply...avoid.

[JohninGpt]

I would take 44 to the Creek Turnpike on the east side of Tulsa, take the Creek around town and pick up 44 on the west side of town, then south on 35 in OKC.
I live in Broken Arrow and go to OKC pretty often. With all the road construction, avoid going trough Tulsa.

[Monty]

[QUOTE=Monty;8711542]This, this, and this. I've been busted twice in Stringtown.

Also, watch the area around the Choctaw casino and south about 3-4 miles, Calera area I believe.[/QUOTE}

I miss Friday's Front Row at the Ballpark on gamedays. I miss the Chiefs swag raffles. I miss Monty.:(

LOL. How did I miss this? You know where I live..... :toast:

[Monty]

Having lived there for 15 years, my advice is simply...avoid.

Unfortunately, some us have jobs here.