{{Short description|US state highway system}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2016}} {{infobox state highway system |shields=[[File:Kickapoo Turnpike.svg|100px]][[File:Kilpatrick Turnpike.svg|100px]] |caption=[[Highway shield|Highway markers]] for the Kickapoo and Kilpatrick Turnpikes |formed= |length_mi= |length_ref= |interstate=Interstate nn (I-nn) |us=U.S. Highway nn (US nn) |statehwy=State Highway nn (SH-nn) |notes= |links=OK |map={{Maplink-road|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center |from=Cherokee Turnpike.map |from2=Chickasaw Turnpike.map |from3=Cimarron Turnpike.map |from4=Creek Turnpike.map |from5=Gilcrease Turnpike.map |from6=H. E. Bailey Turnpike.map |from7=Indian Nation Turnpike.map |from8=Kickapoo Turnpike.map |from9=John Kilpatrick Turnpike.map |from10=Muskogee Turnpike.map |from11=Turner Turnpike.map |from12=Will Rogers Turnpike.map |id35=Q1649|type35=line|stroke-color35=#000|stroke-width35=1 }} |map_custom=yes |map_notes=Turnpikes highlighted in red }} Oklahoma has an extensive '''turnpike system''', maintained by the state government through the [[Oklahoma Turnpike Authority]]. All of Oklahoma's [[toll road|turnpikes]] are [[controlled-access highways]] with at least four lanes, although the [[Chickasaw Turnpike]] only has [[Two-lane expressway|two lanes]].
Tolls on Oklahoma's turnpikes are collected through the Pikepass transponder system or PlatePay, a cashless pay-by-mail system. In November 2024 the cash toll booths on the Will Rogers Turnpike closed, making the entire turnpike system cashless.
==Turnpikes== *The [[Cherokee Turnpike]] is part of [[U.S. Route 412 in Oklahoma|U.S. Highway 412]] (US 412) in eastern Oklahoma. *The [[Chickasaw Turnpike]] connects [[U.S. Route 177 in Oklahoma|US 177]] just north of [[Sulphur, Oklahoma|Sulphur]] to [[Oklahoma State Highway 1|State Highway 1]] (SH-1) south of [[Ada, Oklahoma|Ada]]. The turnpike is two lanes for its entire length. *The [[Cimarron Turnpike]] begins at [[Interstate 35 in Oklahoma|Interstate 35]] (I-35) in [[Noble County, Oklahoma|Noble County]] (east of [[Enid, Oklahoma|Enid]]) and ends in the western suburbs of [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]]. The turnpike is part of US 412. It also has a spur to the southwest to US 177 north of [[Stillwater, Oklahoma|Stillwater]]. *The [[Creek Turnpike]] runs around the outskirts of Tulsa, forming a southern bypass of Tulsa's core area. The Creek Turnpike terminates at [[Interstate 44 in Oklahoma|I-44]] on the west end and I-44/US 412 on the east end, and acts as a bridge between the Turner and Will Rogers Turnpikes. *The Gilcrease Turnpike is a {{convert|adj=on|2+1/2|mi|km}} tolled extension of the [[Gilcrease Expressway]] in Tulsa, completing the west side of the Tulsa loop in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hoberock |first1=Barbara |title=Gilcrease Expressway turnpike to open Monday |date=November 11, 2022 |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/gilcrease-expressway-turnpike-to-open-monday/article_5bf467ea-612b-11ed-93ad-e31d50a658c9.html |access-date=9 February 2023}}</ref> *The [[H. E. Bailey Turnpike]] serves southwestern Oklahoma and is part of I-44. The H.E. Bailey turnpike has two separate parts, with a free section running through eastern [[Lawton, Oklahoma|Lawton]]. This turnpike connects [[Wichita Falls, Texas]] to Lawton, [[Chickasha]], and [[Oklahoma City]]. It has a spur to the east, the Norman Spur, towards [[Newcastle, Oklahoma|Newcastle]] and [[Goldsby, Oklahoma|Goldsby]]. *The [[Indian Nation Turnpike]] passes through southeast Oklahoma, beginning at [[Hugo, Oklahoma|Hugo]] and angling northwest to end at [[Interstate 40 in Oklahoma|I-40]] south of [[Henryetta, Oklahoma|Henryetta]]. *The [[Kickapoo Turnpike]] (I-335) runs through eastern [[Oklahoma County, Oklahoma|Oklahoma County]] and connects [[Interstate 44]] on the northeast side of Oklahoma City to [[Interstate 40]] on the southeast side. *The [[Kilpatrick Turnpike]] (I-344) runs through the north and west sides of the Oklahoma City metro, running from I-240/SH-152 to I-35/I-44, where it becomes the Turner Turnpike. This route acts as one quarter of a pseudo-[[beltway]], proving access to the suburbs of [[Yukon, Oklahoma|Yukon]] and [[Edmond, Oklahoma|Edmond]]. An extension to [[Oklahoma State Highway 152|SH-152]]/I-240 was completed in 2020. *The [[Muskogee Turnpike]] begins at [[Oklahoma State Highway 51|SH-51]] in [[Broken Arrow, Oklahoma|Broken Arrow]] and continues southeast to [[Muskogee, Oklahoma|Muskogee]]. A second section of the turnpike connects Muskogee to I-40 at [[Webbers Falls, Oklahoma|Webbers Falls]]. The two sections are connected by a freeway, carrying part of [[Oklahoma State Highway 165|SH-165]]. *The [[Turner Turnpike]] was Oklahoma's first turnpike, connecting Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The Turner Turnpike parallels historic [[U.S. Route 66 in Oklahoma|US 66]] (now [[Oklahoma State Highway 66|SH-66]]), and carries I-44. *The [[Will Rogers Turnpike]] connects Tulsa to the [[Missouri]] state line near [[Joplin, Missouri|Joplin]]. Like the Turner Turnpike, this turnpike serves as a parallel route to US 66 and carries I-44. The rest area near [[Vinita, Oklahoma|Vinita]] is promoted as containing the [[McDonald's (Will Rogers Turnpike)|World's Largest McDonald's]].
===Surveyed but not built=== {{unreferenced section|date=March 2024}} Shortly after the Turner Turnpike was built in 1953, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority proposed other toll roads including one to be built from Oklahoma City north to the Kansas border near Braman to tie in with the southern terminus of the [[Kansas Turnpike]] at the state line. That routing was included as part of the Federal Highway Act of 1956 which created the Interstate Highway System. As a result, the OTA could not obtain financing to build that proposed turnpike and turned the initial plans including surveys and blueprints over to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation in 1956 for the construction of [[Interstate 35 in Oklahoma|I-35]] as a freeway on that same alignment, which was completed in several stages between 1958 and 1962.
Also proposed but never built was a toll road roughly following what would later become I-35 between Oklahoma City and the Red River north of Gainesville, Texas that included a spur route veering from the main route north of Ardmore veering northeastward past Ada to tie in with the Turner Turnpike near [[Stroud, Oklahoma]].
Also proposed in the 1990s, but never built was an extension of the Muskogee Turnpike from its current southeastern terminus at [[Interstate 40 in Oklahoma|I-40]] southeastward toward [[Poteau, Oklahoma|Poteau]].
===Proposed Turnpikes=== *The Toby Keith Expressway (Formerly known as the East-West Connector) is a proposed turnpike which would run through the southern suburbs of Oklahoma City and parts of [[Norman, Oklahoma|Norman]]. It would extend from the Kickapoo Turnpike (I-335) to I-44 in [[Newcastle, Oklahoma|Newcastle]]. It was originally going to have frontage roads throughout the entire length, however they would be removed from the plans in some areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/ota/documents/news-articles/2024/014_24_OTA%20announces%20revised%20footprint%20for%20East-West%20Connector%20Project.pdf|title=OTA announces revised footprint for East-West Connector Project|publisher=Oklahoma.gov|date=September 13, 2024|access-date=December 30, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hickey |first=Olivia |date=2026-03-04 |title=Oklahoma Turnpike Authority unanimously approves 'Toby Keith Expressway,' clearing final hurdle |url=https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-toby-keith-expressway-turnpike-approval/70595497 |access-date=2026-04-11 |website=KOCO |language=en}}</ref> *The South Extension Turnpike is a proposed turnpike which would connect part of the East-West Connector to I-35 in [[Purcell, Oklahoma|Purcell]]. *The Tri-City Connector is a proposed turnpike which would go around [[OKC Will Rogers International Airport]] to connect Airport Road (I-240) with I-44.
==Payment methods==
=== PikePass === PikePass is the [[electronic toll collection]] system used by the [[Oklahoma Turnpike Authority]]. Created in 1990 and launched on January 1, 1991, PikePass provides an alternative to paying cash tolls.<ref>{{cite news |date = November 17, 1990 |url = http://tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=175361 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110807100843/http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=175361 |url-status = dead |archive-date = August 7, 2011 |title = Toll Booths Going High-Tech |work = Tulsa World |first = Janet |last = Pearson |access-date = June 14, 2007 }}</ref> Most customers pay an initial $40 in prepaid tolls, which they can refill at their own convenience or have funds automatically withdrawn to replenish the account if it falls below a threshold. PikePass usage results in an approximately 50% savings on tolls compared to image-based tolling methods such as PlatePay.
====Interoperability==== Oklahoma is part of the Central Plains Interoperability Area, which allows electronic toll collection transponders issued from member agencies to be used on other tollways in the area. As of June 2024, PikePass transponders can be used on all turnpikes in Kansas, Texas and most turnpikes in Florida and Colorado.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kfor.com/news/pikepass-can-now-be-used-on-texas-kansas-turnpikes/ |title=OTA: OKLAHOMA PIKEPASS NOW ACCEPTED IN MOST PARTS OF FLORIDA|date=May 2, 2019|publisher=News On 6(KOTV, Tulsa)|access-date=March 10, 2023|last=Douglas|first=Kaylee}}</ref> Oklahoma turnpikes also accept all transponders from Kansas ([[K-TAG]]), Texas ([[EZ TAG]], [[TollTag]], [[TxTag]]), [[SunPass]] from Florida, and [[ExpressToll]] from Colorado. Interoperable transponders from these states receive the same 50% discount on tolls that is offered to PikePass users.
=== PlatePay === PlatePay is a cashless tolling system used by the [[Oklahoma Turnpike Authority]] for customers without a PikePass or interoperable transponder. Customers using PlatePay travel in the same lanes as PikePass customers when passing through a toll plaza and are not required to stop at a toll booth. Automatic [[license plate recognition]] is used with vehicle registration data to identify the registered owner of the vehicle, and an invoice is mailed for their toll which is paid through an online portal or by check. Due to added costs with processing, mailing and handling, PlatePay toll rates are significantly higher than both the PikePass rates and the previous cash rates.
PlatePay was first installed at the Peoria/Elm interchange on the [[Creek Turnpike]], and went live on January 5, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news9.com/story/5e3600532f69d76f62030772/oklahoma-turnpike-authoritys-platepay-system-kicks-off-this-week|title=Oklahoma Turnpike Authority's PlatePay System Kicks Off This Week|date=January 3, 2017|access-date=September 1, 2025|author=News on 6}}</ref> During this time the Peoria/Elm interchange operated as a special cashless interchange within an otherwise cash-based system while preparations were made for a broader roll-out across the system. PlatePay was phased in across the remainder of the Oklahoma turnpike system between July 2021 and November 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Griffin|first=David|title=Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Says Move To 'Cashless' Toll Booths Will Take Time|url=https://www.newson6.com/story/60f60da3a62a2b0bdb33635f/oklahoma-turnpike-authority-says-move-to-cashless-toll-booths-will-take-time|access-date=2021-07-26|website=www.newson6.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=Megan Butler, KTUL|date=2021-06-23|title=Oklahoma turnpikes begin conversion to cashless tolling|url=https://ktul.com/news/local/oklahoma-turnpikes-cashless-tolling|access-date=2021-07-26|website=KTUL}}</ref>
==Criticism== The turnpike system has received criticism from many, most notably from [[Gary Richardson (lawyer)|Gary Richardson]], former U.S. Attorney and candidate for Governor of Oklahoma in [[2002 Oklahoma gubernatorial election|2002]] and [[2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial election|2018]], who has called for the abolition of the Turnpike Authority. Critics have noted the lack of revenue from turnpikes that actually goes to the state of Oklahoma.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kjrh.com/news/oklahoma-turnpikes-collect-record-amount-of-toll-money-state-does-not-profit-from-toll-revenue|title=Oklahoma Turnpikes collect record amount of toll money, state does not profit from toll revenue|author=Miller, Brian|publisher=KJRH Tulsa|date=August 8, 2016|access-date=November 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/oklahoma/articles/2017-04-24/tulsa-attorney-gary-richardson-to-run-for-governor-in-2018|title=Tulsa Attorney Gary Richardson to Run for Governor in 2018|author=Murphy, Sean|newspaper=[[U.S. News & World Report]]|date=April 24, 2017|access-date=November 1, 2017}}</ref> The OTA counters that it receives no tax money to maintain, operate, and pay off the turnpike system; and, if the state had to pay routine maintenance and capital rehabilitation on the turnpikes, the cost to the government would be an additional $105 million annually.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pikepass.com/about/FAQs.aspx | title=OTA History FAQs|publisher=Pikepass.com|access-date=December 10, 2020}}</ref>
==References== <references/>
{{Oklahoma Turnpikes}}
[[Category:Toll roads in Oklahoma| ]] [[Category:Freeways in the United States]] [[Category:Lists of roads in Oklahoma]]