Interstate 44 is a prominent diagonal route originating in St. Louis, Missouri, and heading southwest through Oklahoma to Wichita Falls, Texas. Driving the route across Oklahoma requires a long trip of about 325 miles, and the route spends 290 miles in Missouri. However, only about thirteen miles of the route protrudes into northern Texas. The northeastern point of beginning occurs along Interstate 70, just west of the Mississippi River, in St. Louis. Most travelers using the first bit of Interstate 44's westbound lanes will come from Interstate 55, however, and it makes sense, considering that Interstate 44 and Interstate 55 replace US Route 66's progression through the St. Louis area. That is to say, the Interstate 55 corridor to the northeast and the Interstate 44 corridor to the southwest used to both be the same route. Interstate 44 heads southwest across Missouri, serving places like Rolla, Springfield, and Joplin. Interstate 44 passes very near the triple point where Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas come together, entering Oklahoma just beyond Joplin. Interstate 44 is tolled in most of Oklahoma, but many weather the tolls, as the route provides an important connection to both of Oklahoma's large cities. It meets Tulsa first, and then it proceeds through Oklahoma City, where it meets Interstate 35 and Interstate 40. Beyond Oklahoma City, Interstate 44 ventures into territory served by no other Interstate highways. It passes by Lawton before crossing the Red River into Texas. Beyond Lawton, Interstate 44 is mostly north-south. The southern end deposits traffic into Wichita Falls, where travelers can continue on US Route 82, US Route 277, US Route 281, or US Route 287.
My photo of Interstate 44 signage shows a junction marker found along Oklahoma Route 5 in far southern Oklahoma. This is near the town of Walters, Oklahoma. The interchange shown in the background is labeled as Exit 20, and those leaving Walters toward the west will see this junction marker as they approach the interchange along their eastward path. Note that US Route 277 and US Route 281 are temporarily also along for the ride down Oklahoma Route 5, as they are jogging westward here on their overall southward journey. This photo was taken during the southwestern trip of October 2024.