OKHighways.com

Highway Review:
OK 51 is the third longest state highway. At a distance of over 330 miles, the highway goes through varied landscapes, from the plains of western Oklahoma to the main street in college town Stillwater, and from the hustle and bustle of the Broken Arrow Expressway in Tulsa to the mountains and lakes of eastern Oklahoma.

The highway's first 60 miles are duplexed with U.S. 60. After shedding that highway southeast of Seiling, OK 51 is then part of a quadplex with U.S. 270, U.S. 281, and OK 3 for eight miles. Finally, after being in the state for 69 miles, OK 51 goes off on its own. The highway passes through Canton, Okeene, and Hennessey before it intersects Interstate 35.

East of the interstate, OK 51 widens to a four-lane divided highway as it becomes the main route from Interstate 35 to Stillwater, home of Oklahoma State University. After leaving Stillwater, OK 51 narrows back to two lanes, but remains relatively rural to OK 97 south of Sand Springs. From there, OK 51 goes north in a short duplex with OK 97 to the Keystone Expressway (U.S. 64/U.S. 412). After that, OK 51 heads east to Interstate 244 in downtown Tulsa, where OK 51 then heads south on Interstate 244 West for a mile before heading east on secret Interstate 444 East/U.S. 75 North for another mile. After leaving U.S. 75 behind, U.S. 64 and OK 51 become the Broken Arrow Expressway, and U.S. 64 remains on the highway to U.S. 169, where U.S. 64 heads south. OK 51 continues heading southeast and departs the Broken Arrow Expressway at its eastern end, which also happens to be the western end of the Muskogee Turnpike.

The highway is mostly four-lane divided between the Muskogee Turnpike and Wagoner, with the exception of a stretch between Coweta and the Verdigris River. After heading through Wagoner, the highway is two lanes for most of its final 60 miles in Oklahoma.

OK 51 bypasses Tahlequah to its south on a recently-constructed bypass, and is signed with U.S. 62, OK 10, and OK 82 for the eastern part of the bypass. OK 51 leaves U.S. 62 behind just after a hairpin turn east of Tahlequah. Fourteen miles later, the highway enters the Adair County seat, Stilwell, has a short duplex with U.S. 59, and then heads to the east on its own, where seven miles later, OK 51 becomes AR 244, which itself ends less than a mile east of the state line at AR 59.

Highway Information:
Distance: 332.8 miles
Counties traveled through: Ellis, Dewey, Blaine, Kingfisher, Logan, Payne, Creek, Tulsa, Wagoner, Cherokee, Adair
Highway intersections: U.S. 283 (Mile 6.7), OK 46 (Mile 12.7), U.S. 283 (Mile 13.7), OK 34 (Mile 39.6), OK 34 (Mile 40.5), U.S. 183 (Mile 58.8), U.S. 60/U.S. 270/U.S. 281/OK 3 (Mile 60.6), U.S. 270/U.S. 281/OK 3 (Mile 69.0), OK 58A (Mile 81.2), OK 58 (Mile 82.0), OK 58 (Mile 83.0), OK 51A (Mile 88.1), OK 8 (Mile 98.9), OK 132 (Mile 115.1), U.S. 81 (Mile 122.6), OK 74E (Mile 138.1), OK 74 (Mile 140.1), U.S. 77 (Mile 151.0), U.S. 77 (Mile 151.3), Interstate 35 (Mile 153.8), OK 86 (Mile 157.3), OK 51C (Mile 162.0), U.S. 177 (Mile 170.4), OK 108 (Mile 177.8), OK 108 (Mile 178.8), OK 18 (Mile 186.8), OK 99 (Mile 197.6), OK 48 (Mile 208.2), OK 151 (Mile 215.5), OK 97 (Mile 224.3), U.S. 64/U.S. 412/OK 97 (Mile 225.5), Interstate 244/U.S. 412 (Mile 232.1), Interstate 244/U.S. 75 (Mile 232.9), U.S. 75 (Mile 234.3), Interstate 44/OK 66 (Mile 239.6), U.S. 64/U.S. 169 (Mile 242.0), Muskogee Turnpike (Mile 248.8), OK 72 (Mile 258.0), Muskogee Turnpike (Mile 261.5), U.S. 69 (Mile 272.6), OK 16 (Mile 275.1), OK 80 (Mile 288.4), U.S. 62/OK 10/OK 82 (Mile 300.7), OK 82 (Mile 303.0), OK 10 (Mile 305.0), U.S. 62 (Mile 310.7), U.S. 59 (Mile 324.8), U.S. 59 (Mile 325.7)
Highway duplexes: U.S. 60 (Miles 0.0-60.6, 60.6 miles), U.S. 283 (Miles 6.7-13.7, 7.0 miles), OK 34 (Miles 39.6-40.5, 0.9 mile), U.S. 270/U.S. 281/OK 3 (Miles 60.6-69.0, 8.4 miles), OK 58 (Miles 82.0-83.0, 1.0 mile), U.S. 77 (Miles 151.0-151.3, 0.3 mile), OK 108 (Miles 177.8-178.8, 1.0 mile), OK 97 (Miles 224.3-225.5, 1.2 miles), U.S. 64 (Miles 225.5-242.0, 16.5 miles), U.S. 412 (Miles 225.5-232.1, 6.6 miles), Interstate 244 (Miles 232.1-232.9, 0.8 mile), U.S. 75 (Miles 232.9-234.3, 1.4 miles), U.S. 62 (Miles 300.7-310.7, 10.0 miles), OK 82 (Miles 300.7-303.0, 2.3 miles), OK 10 (Miles 300.7-305.0, 4.3 miles), U.S. 59 (Miles 324.8-325.7, 0.9 mile)

WESTERN TERMINUS
Texas State Line, continues as U.S. 60

	U.S. 60 West assurance shield as the highway enters Lipscomb County, Texas, and OK 51 West concludes. The "Welcome to Texas" sign is just ahead near the trees. (Photo taken 5/6/04)
	"Welcome to Texas" sign on U.S. 60 West. The next intersection is with TX 213 a mile west of the state line. (Photo taken 5/6/04)
	"Welcome to Oklahoma" sign as OK 51 East begins and U.S. 60 East continues. (Photo taken 5/6/04)
	U.S. 60/OK 51 East assurance shields just east of the state line. U.S. 283 is seven miles ahead. (Photo taken 5/6/04)

OTHER HIGHWAY PICTURES

	U.S. 60/OK 51 East* at U.S. 283 North.* (Photo taken 5/6/04)
	U.S. 60/OK 51 West/U.S. 283 North at U.S. 283 North. (Photo taken 5/6/04)
	U.S. 60/OK 51 West/U.S. 283 North at OK 46 North in Arnett. OK 46 goes through the towns of Gage and May during its 49 miles. (Photo taken 5/6/04)
	U.S. 270/OK 3/OK 51 East/U.S. 281 South at OK 51 East. (Photo taken 5/7/04)
	OK 51 West at OK 58A North west of Canton. OK 58A connects to Canton Lake and OK 58. (Photo taken 4/9/04)
	OK 51 West/OK 58 South at OK 58 South in Canton. The two highways share a mile-long duplex. (Photo taken 4/9/04)
	OK 51 West/OK 58 South assurance shields just east of Canton. (Photo taken 4/9/04)
	OK 51 West* at OK 51 West/OK 58 South.* (Photo taken 4/9/04)
	OK 51 West* at OK 58 North.* (Photo taken 4/9/04)
	OK 51 East at OK 132 North. OK 132 connects to the Kansas State Line near Manchester and goes through Drummond, Carrier, Nash, and Manchester throughout its 64 miles. (Photo taken 7/18/03)
	OK 51 East* at U.S. 81 in Hennessey.* (Photo taken 7/18/03)
	OK 51 East at OK 74E North. OK 74E connects to Marshall and OK 74. (Photo taken 7/18/03)
	OK 51 East* at OK 74.* (Photo taken 7/18/03)
	OK 51 East at U.S. 77 North. The two highways begin a short duplex at this intersection. (Photo taken 7/18/03)
	OK 51 East* at Interstate 35 South.* (Photo taken 7/16/03)
	OK 51 East* at Interstate 35 North.* (Photo taken 7/16/03)
	OK 51 East at OK 86 North. OK 86 connects to U.S. 77 in Perry at its other end. (Photo taken 7/16/03)
	OK 51 East at OK 51C North. The spur highway serves Carl Blackwell Lake. (Photo taken 7/16/03)
	OK 51 East* at U.S. 177 in Stillwater.* (Photo taken 7/16/03)
	OK 51 East/OK 108 South assurance shields just east of OK 108 North. The highways are duplexed for one mile. (Photo taken 1/7/03)
	OK 51 East/OK 108 South at OK 108 South. (Photo taken 1/7/03)
	OK 51 East* at OK 18.* (Photo taken 1/7/03)
	OK 51 East* at OK 99.* (Photo taken 1/7/03)
	OK 51 East* at OK 48.* (Photo taken 1/7/03)
	From OK 97 South, I took this picture of OK 51 East at OK 97. OK 51 and OK 97 duplex for a mile in Sand Springs. This sign also displays some very old button copy shields, which are a common sight in this area. (Photo taken 1/7/03)
	OK 51 East/OK 97 North at U.S. 64/U.S. 412/OK 51 East in Sand Springs. (Photo taken 1/7/03)
	U.S. 64/U.S. 412/OK 51 West at OK 51 West/ OK 97 - Sand Springs/Sapulpa. More old button copy shields are seen here. (Photo taken 4/25/03)
	U.S. 64/U.S. 412/OK 51 East at Interstate 244 West/U.S. 64/OK 51 East exit in Tulsa. (Photo taken 12/1/02)
	Interstate 244 East/U.S. 64/OK 51 West at Exit 5B - U.S. 64/U.S. 412/OK 51 West - Sand Springs/Enid. (Photo taken 4/25/03)
	Interstate 244 West/U.S. 64/OK 51 East at Exit 4B - U.S. 75 North/U.S. 64/OK 51 East - Broken Arrow. (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	Hidden Interstate 444/U.S. 64/OK 51 East/U.S. 75 North at U.S. 75 North - Bartlesville exit. This is the eastbound beginning of the Broken Arrow Expressway. These signs were replaced a couple months after this picture was taken. (Top photo taken 4/25/03, bottom photo taken 5/21/04)
	U.S. 64/OK 51 East at Utica Ave. in Tulsa. The Broken Arrow Expressway northwest of Interstate 44 is old, substandard, and even has an abandoned railroad track running through its median! (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	U.S. 64/OK 51 East* at Lewis Ave.* (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	Broken Arrow Expressway sign on U.S. 64/ OK 51 East near Lewis Ave. This name applies to the 15 miles of OK 51 between U.S. 75 in downtown Tulsa and the Muskogee Turnpike in Broken Arrow. (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	U.S. 64/OK 51 East* at 15th St.* (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	U.S. 64/OK 51 East* at 21st St.* (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	U.S. 64/OK 51 East* at Harvard Ave.* (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	U.S. 64/OK 51 East at 31st Street/Yale Ave. This exit also leads to the Fairgrounds, Expo Square, and Drillers Stadium. (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	U.S. 64/OK 51 East* at Sheridan Rd.* (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	U.S. 64/OK 51 East approaching Interstate 44/ OK 66 - 1/2 mile. (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	U.S. 64/OK 51 East at Interstate 44/OK 66 West - Oklahoma City. (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	U.S. 64/OK 51 East at Interstate 44/OK 66 East - Joplin. (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	U.S. 64/OK 51 East* at Memorial Dr.* (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	U.S. 64/OK 51 East* at Mingo Rd.* (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	U.S. 64/OK 51 East approaching U.S. 169/ OK 64 (should be U.S. 64) - 1/2 mile. (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	U.S. 64/OK 51 East at U.S. 169 South/U.S. 64 East - Bixby. (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	U.S. 64/OK 51 West at U.S. 169 South/U.S. 64 East - Bixby. (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 51 East* at U.S. 169 North - Owasso.* (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	OK 51 West* at U.S. 169 North - Owasso.* (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 51 East* at 51st St./129th E. Ave.* (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	OK 51 West* at 129th E. Ave./51st St.* (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 51 East* at Aspen Ave./145th E. Ave.* (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	OK 51 West* at Aspen Ave./145th E. Ave.* (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 51 East* at Elm Place.* (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	OK 51 West at Elm Place. A new Bass Pro Shops is being built near this interchange. (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 51 East* at Lynn Lane.* (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	OK 51 West* at Lynn Lane.* (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 51 East* at Kenosha St.* (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	OK 51 West* at Kenosha St.* (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	The beginning of the Broken Arrow Expressway westbound on OK 51 West. (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 51 East approaching the Muskogee Turnpike - 1 mile. (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	OK 51 East at the Muskogee Turnpike. OK 51 exits off the mainline. The exit sign, however, says that OK 51 South exits instead of OK 51 East. (Photo taken 5/21/04)
	OK 51 West at Muskogee Turnpike East/TO Creek Turnpike. (Sorry for the blurriness.) (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 51 West at OK 51B/U.S. 72 (should be an OK 72 shield) in Coweta. OK 51B actually begins just south of here, off of OK 72 south of the business district. (Top photo taken 10/31/03, bottom photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 51 West at Muskogee Turnpike East - Muskogee. (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 51 West at Muskogee Turnpike West - Tulsa. (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 51 West* at U.S. 69 in Wagoner.* (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 51 East* at OK 16 South in Wagoner.* (Photo taken 10/31/03)
	OK 51 West* at OK 16 South.* (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	Two old bridges as seen from OK 51 West between Wagoner and Hulbert. (Photos taken 11/26/04)
	OK 51 West* at OK 80 South in Hulbert.* (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 51 West approaching Spur OK 51 in west Tahlequah. The spur connects OK 51 to OK 82 northwest of Tahlequah. (Photo taken 11/26/04)
	OK 51 West* at Spur OK 51.* (Photo taken 11/26/04)

EASTERN TERMINUS
Arkansas State Line, continues as AR 244

	OK 51 East comes to an end as the "Welcome to Arkansas" sign comes into view. The highway becomes AR 244, which lasts for less than a mile before ending at AR 59. (Photo taken 9/26/03)
	"Welcome to Oklahoma" sign as the short length of AR 244 West concludes. OK 51, however, does not end for another 332 miles at the Texas State Line. (Photo taken 9/26/03)
	The first of many OK 51 West assurance shields one will see along the highway. (Photo taken 9/26/03)