The Best Road Trip from Arlington, Texas to Tulsa, Oklahoma
Are you planning a road trip from Arlington, Texas, to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and seeking the best route with breathtaking scenery and memorable stops? You are on the right page. Our expert road trip planners have compiled a list of the top places you shouldn't miss on your journey.
Whether it's the beautiful countryside, historical landmarks, or natural attractions, these spots will add excitement to your trip. Without further ado, let's dive into the top places to see when driving from Arlington, Texas, to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The Route and Distance
Before exploring the top places in between your starting and final destination, it's worth mentioning the distance and route options. The most direct route is via the I-35 North route, which is 240 miles and takes 3.5 hours without stops. Alternatively, you can take the US-287 route, which is 315 miles and may take a little over 5 hours. Both routes have beautiful scenery and some fantastic attractions that are worth exploring.
The List
1. Lake Murray State Park
Lake Murray State Park is located just an hour north of your starting point in Ardmore, Oklahoma. This park covers over 12,000 acres, and its primary attraction is Oklahoma's oldest and largest state park. Lake Murray has something for everyone, from outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, and boating, to historical attractions, such as the Tucker Tower Nature Center, which has a fantastic museum.
If you're an adrenaline junkie, you'll be thrilled to know that the lake offers water sports like jet skiing, water skiing, and swimming. You can also rent paddle boats, kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. The serene environment and the beautiful scenery of the lake make Lake Murray a suitable spot for family vacations and solo adventures.
2. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is located 87 miles north of Ardmore, Oklahoma, and 124 miles from Arlington, Texas. The refuge sprawls over 59,020 acres. The refuge's creation came in 1901, making it one of the oldest wildlife refuges in the country. The park has remarkable wildlife, including prairie dogs, elk, bison, and white-tailed deer, among others.
You'll enjoy hiking the trails, such as the Fort Sill Trail, which passes near an impressive granite rock formation known as the Narrows. The Boulder Trail is a challenging hike that takes you through the mountains' rugged terrain to the top of Mount Scott, the tallest mountain in the refuge.
3. Pioneer Woman Museum
The Pioneer Woman Museum is a remarkable attraction located in Ponca City, Oklahoma, 20 miles east of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. This museum honors the lives of women pioneers who made significant contributions to Oklahoma's history and culture. The displays include women's clothing and household items, farm machinery, musical instruments, and photographs.
One unique section in the museum concentrates on women's roles during World War II. The collection displays the role of women in supporting the war effort at home and on the front lines. If you're keen on history, the Pioneer Woman Museum is a must-see.
4. Tallgrass Prairie Preserve
The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is located in Osage County, just over an hour from the Pioneer Woman Museum. It's easy to see why the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is considered the most significant preserve of its kind globally, covering over 40,000 acres. It's awe-inspiring to see a well-preserved area of what was once a vast ecosystem that once stretched all the way to the Rocky Mountains.
You'll see wildlife such as bison, coyotes, bobcats, and prairie chickens roaming the nature reserve. The wildlife sighting alone is well worth the trip, but there is so much more to savor. You can hike the trails, and in spring and summer, seeing the magnificent display of wildflowers painting the prairie is unforgettable.
5. Philbrook Museum of Art
The Philbrook Museum of Art is a unique art museum located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, towards the end of your road trip. The museum opened in 1939, occupying a 72-room Italian Renaissance villa surrounded by stunning botanical gardens.
The museum has an extensive collection of art that spans many cultures over ten thousand years of human history. The museum's galleries feature American, European, African, and contemporary art, along with the gardens' outdoor sculptures.
If you're planning a visit on a warm day, you'll love strolling through the garden's winding paths surrounded by cascading streams, ponds and viewing the art scattered throughout the garden. It's the perfect spot to unwind after a long road trip.
Conclusion
When you're planning a road trip along Texas and Oklahoma, there's much to see. The list of top places we've presented is just a fraction of what the region has to offer. We hope that our list has inspired you to start planning your adventure and discovering the hidden gems along the way. Whether you love nature, history, or art, there's something for everyone on this road trip, which is rich in culture and diversity.