Why rent a car in Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City is full of great shopping, museums and shiny glass skyscrapers, but its soul is Western. Cattle auctions take place every Monday at the stockyards and are open to the public. There are also regular rodeos and line dancing events. The famous Cattlemen’s Steakhouse serves traditional coconut cream pie and the shops stock authentic cowboy boots and hats, many of which are made locally.
With car hire, Oklahoma City opens up to include the outlying ranches and pretty countryside. A 20-minute drive north at the crossroads of the I-35 and I-44 is Edmond, home to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Alternatively, head half an hour north to the city of Arcadia, which was once a Route 66 stopping point. There is also the picturesque Arcadia Lake just to the south.
How to get to and around Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City is located at the crossroads of the I-35, I-40 and I-44. Fly into Will Rogers World Airport, which is 11 miles from the city centre, a drive of 20 minutes. There are also a number of buses that run to and from Oklahoma City centre.
Hiring a car in Oklahoma City city centre
For a hire car in Oklahoma City, head to the I-44 where many of the main brands are based. They are all within a short drive of the main interstates, which lead in and out of the city.
What brands are available?
Alamo, Avis, Hertz and Enterprise are among the brands that can provide a rental car in Oklahoma City. At the airport there is a shuttle bus to the car rental centre, which houses nine different car hire companies.
Must-sees within an easy drive of Oklahoma City
Now you have your hire car hit the road and head 20 miles south to the city of Norman, home to the University of Oklahoma. The many students mean this small town has a very lively nightlife and a great shopping scene. Campus Corner is the best place to start for restaurants and bars, and for swimming and hiking trails drive 10 minutes east to the Lake Thunderbird state park.
Tulsa is 100 miles east of Oklahoma City, a journey of an hour and a half along the I-44. This is the land of golf courses (there are 19 public courses and numerous other private ones), and spectator sports thanks to the Tulsa Drillers baseball team and the Tulsa Oilers hockey team.
Ardmore, 100 miles south on the I-35 (about an hour and a half by car), is home to the Lake Murray state park. At the Tucker Tower Nature Centre you can find fossils and a 288lb meteorite, and out on the lake there are water sports and boat rides.
Tips and tricks for driving in Oklahoma City
All Oklahoma’s interstates run through Oklahoma City, giving it great driving links with the state and the rest of the country. The I-40 traverses the southern states from Los Angeles to North Carolina.
Ready to plan your Oklahoma City city break?
For the best deals on flights, car hire and hotels in Oklahoma City and the rest of the US use the Expedia search tool. We can also help you find out about the best attractions and activities in the area.
