Take a drive through Tulsa on U.S. Route 169, covering 10 miles from I-244 to U.S. 64. Explore key interchanges with Route 66, I-44, and the Creek Turnpike on this vital urban corridor through east Tulsa.
U.S. Route 169
Explore U.S. Route 169, a major north–south highway running from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Virginia, Minnesota. Learn about its route, key cities, and role in regional transportation.
U.S. Route 169 (US 169) is a north–south highway that stretches over 900 miles across the central United States, connecting Tulsa, Oklahoma, to the city of Virginia, Minnesota. It serves as a major arterial route through the heartland, offering both urban connectivity and rural accessibility. The route runs through key metropolitan areas such as Kansas City and Minneapolis, playing an important role in regional travel, commerce, and local commuting.
Starting in Tulsa, US 169 travels north through eastern Oklahoma before entering Kansas, where it provides a direct route into the Kansas City metro. In Missouri, the highway skirts the western edge of Kansas City before heading into Iowa, where it offers a more rural, scenic drive through towns like Winterset and Fort Dodge. Upon entering Minnesota, US 169 becomes a key connector to the Twin Cities, serving as a freeway for much of its run through the Minneapolis suburbs before continuing northward to its terminus in Virginia, MN.
Throughout its journey, US 169 alternates between expressway, freeway, and two-lane rural segments, adapting to the terrain and traffic demands of each state. Its importance lies not just in long-distance travel, but also in its role as a commuter route and freight corridor. Whether linking small towns or acting as a bypass around urban congestion, US 169 remains a vital part of the U.S. Numbered Highway System.
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