[lepoisson]

I will be driving from Springfield, MO to Dallas, TX and will pass through the great state of Oklahoma. According to Google Maps, I should take I-44, then get off on 412/69 around Big Cabin.

Is the toll electronic or will I receive a bill in the mail?

[grampaTom]

I believe there is a 'change basket' where you pay the toll when you exit I44 onto 69. The poll fees are listed on a sign a the tool plaza. I haven't driven that in a few years so hopefully a 'local' will chime in for you.

[Threestep2]

https://www.pikepass.com

[okie1962]

I-44 turns into the Will Rogers Turnpike at the Oklahoma/Missouri state line. You will not see a toll plaza until you get almost to the Big Cabin/Highway 69 exit. The toll plaza is two miles in front of your exit. A great indication that you are near the toll plaza, is the huge McDonald's that spans over the turnpike at Vinita, believe me you can't miss it! The toll plaza is 2 miles past the McDonald's, and your exit is two more miles past the toll plaza. Everything just kind of happens there. LOL

As you are approaching the toll plaza you need to be in the far right lanes. Those are the cash lanes. If you are driving a two axle vehicle you will pay $3.90. When you exit in two miles at Big Cabin/Highway 69 you will get a refund of $2, because you didn't travel the full distance of the turnpike to Tulsa.

As you leave the tollbooth you will turn left (South) at the traffic light. Be careful from the time you get off the turnpike until you get all the way through Big Cabin, they love picking off speeders. BE VERY CAREFUL ONCE YOU GET TO MCALESTER!!! From McAlester to the Texas line, is a heavily patrolled area, especially Stringtown! The locals call it Stingtown!

Have a safe journey!

[lepoisson]

Thank you for the tips okie1962!

[prerunner1982]

Of if you want to avoid the tolls and take a more scenic route you can take 166 to Baxter Springs, KS get on Hwy 69 (also Route 66) you would leave Route 66 just outside of Vinita but would stay on Hwy 69. Only add about 45 mins to your drive (per Google Maps)....

[okie1962]

I'm kind of wondering something... Would it actually be quicker and safer to drive farther all the way to Tulsa and then on to Oklahoma City on the Turner Turnpike aka I-44 and then drop down to Texas on I-35? There is only about 55 miles of hy 69 that's interstate standard, the section between Muskogee and McAlester. The other 150 miles you travel through 13 towns with traffic lights. Muskogee alone has 5 traffic lights. The traffic is pretty heavy on this road, so the traffic lights really can slow you down. Plus the speed limit is only 65 MPH from Big Cabin to the Arkansas River north of Muskogee. For the next 6 miles your are driving through stop and go traffic in Muskogee. McAlester and Atoka has 3 lights, the Durant area has 3 also. Some of the smaller towns have one or two lights, and you really have to watch your speed. Going through Tulsa,OKC and then I-35 is 100% interstate grade. No traffic lights and no speed traps.

[okie1962]

I just checked Google Maps. It says it will take 32 minutes longer going through OKC. But I don't know if Google takes into consideration traffic lights. But even if you did get stuck at every traffic light you still probably wouldn't burn up 32 minutes, so I guess the original route maybe best. But if you don't want any stop and go traffic, and maybe thinking of lodging for the night, then the OKC route maybe something to consider.

[lepoisson]

okie1962, you have me thinking. I will actually be leaving from Higginsville, MO. But I was going to stop in Springfield, MO on the way to do some shopping. I don't have to stop there though.

[lepoisson]

I think I've decided to take the interstate the entire way. Google Maps says it adds about 30 minutes to the trip, but traffic in small towns, stop lights, and not being able to pass slow drivers on smaller highways could easily add 30 minutes to the trip.