By Bailey Coyle, Fox23 News
TULSA, Okla. — Thousands of OU fans are hitting the road next week as the Sooners host their first home playoff game in Norman. With College GameDay on campus and graduation weekend happening at the same time, traffic is expected to be heavy across the metro and on major highways leading into town.
The main route: I-44 west to Oklahoma City, then I-35 south
For many fans traveling from the Tulsa area, the most direct route is I-44 west (Turner Turnpike) toward Oklahoma City, then I-35 south into Norman.
On a normal day, the drive takes about two hours. But with large crowds and multiple ongoing construction projects, ODOT recommends planning for delays and leaving earlier than usual.
Major construction zones along I-44
Drivers will encounter three major work zones on the Turner Turnpike before reaching Oklahoma City:
1. Bristow → Heyburn
This is the first slowdown drivers will hit after leaving Tulsa.
- Narrowed lanes
- Lane shifts
- Speed limit reduced to 55 mph
- Could add 15 minutes during heavy traffic
2. Stroud
This is one of the longest active work zones on the entire Turnpike.
- Single-lane traffic in some areas
- Reduced speeds
- Concrete barriers separating eastbound and westbound lanes
- Could add 20+ minutes during peak game-day travel
3. Wellston
Just before Oklahoma City, drivers will pass through the Wellston work zone.
- Expected delays of 10–15 minutes
Construction continues on I-35 south of Oklahoma City
Even after clearing I-44, fans should prepare for one more slowdown on I-35 near the I-240 interchange.
ODOT spokesperson T.J. Gerlach says this section could add a few more minutes to the drive.
“On I-35 in the Oklahoma City area, where I-240 comes in, we do have a project going on there on the south side of Oklahoma City. That can add a couple of minutes to your commute. That’s going to be the major impact for anybody traveling I-40 or I-35 toward Norman,” Gerlach said.
Alternate routes to avoid Turnpike construction
If you want to skip the Turner Turnpike entirely, there are other ways to get to Norman — though they may take longer on game day.
Route 1: US-75 south → I-40 west → I-35 south
- A more rural path with fewer lane closures
- Estimated 2.5 hours on game day
- Some stretches may be two-lane highways, requiring extra caution
Route 2: I-44 west → Kickapoo Turnpike south → I-40 west → I-35 south
- Estimated 2 hours and 20 minutes
- Good option for drivers who want to skip the long Stroud work zone
Route 3: Kickapoo Turnpike south → Peebly Road → Highway 9
- Bypasses Oklahoma City traffic completely
- Drops drivers onto the southeast side of Norman near Lake Thunderbird
- Typically slightly longer, depending on congestion
Gerlach urges drivers to stay alert on these more rural roadways.
“A lot of them may be two lanes instead of four lanes, so we want to make sure everybody is giving their full attention to the roadway… putting away distractions, giving themselves plenty of room, and doing everything you can to make sure you arrive safely,” Gerlach said.
Expect a packed weekend in Norman
With College GameDay live at 5 p.m., graduation ceremonies, and kickoff at 7 p.m., Norman will be extremely congested throughout Saturday.
Fans should plan extra time for:
- Parking
- Shuttles
- Walking to the stadium
- Road closures around campus
