Take a scenic ride across eastern Oklahoma as we follow Interstate 40 from Henryetta to Sallisaw—a 68-mile journey that begins in the grasslands of the state’s heartland and carries us into the rolling, wooded hills of the Ozark Plateau. This stretch of road traces the subtle transformation of landscape and culture, bridging the wide-open spaces of central Oklahoma with the greener, more textured terrain of its eastern counties. We begin at Exit 240B, just beyond the junction with the Indian Nation Turnpike, as I-40 presses eastward through the southern edge of Henryetta, a town once booming with coal, glass, and oil, now quieter but still deeply tied to Oklahoma’s industrial past.
Soon after leaving Henryetta, we’re surrounded by sweeping pastures and low, brushy ridges that echo the gently undulating plains that characterize this part of the state. The farther we go, the more the terrain begins to shift. Near Checotah—birthplace of country music star Carrie Underwood—we cross U.S. Highway 69, a major north-south route that connects northeastern Oklahoma with Texas. It’s also a point of convergence for east-west travelers seeking alternate routes into Arkansas or down toward Lake Eufaula. And that lake is hard to miss: as we rise slightly in elevation and cross the long bridge over its shimmering waters, we’re treated to one of the most expansive water views in the region. Spanning more than 100,000 acres, Lake Eufaula is the largest reservoir in Oklahoma and a major draw for anglers, boaters, and summer vacationers from across the state.
East of the lake, the countryside tightens up as we approach Warner and the interchange with U.S. Highway 64. Here, the wide shoulders and open fields begin giving way to denser thickets and more pronounced hills. The landscape takes on a deeper green, a sign that we’re entering the western edge of the Ozark Plateau. Approaching Webbers Falls, we intersect the Muskogee Turnpike, a tolled expressway that angles north toward Tulsa. It’s a major crossroad, and a critical lifeline during past floods—like the devastating 2002 bridge collapse just east of here, which serves as a somber reminder of the power of nature and the importance of infrastructure vigilance in this region. Passing Webbers Falls, we stay with I-40 as it glides above the Arkansas River, the waterway tucked into its levees and tree-lined channels below.
As we continue eastward toward Sallisaw, the drive becomes more intimate. The horizon pulls in a bit, and the woods creep closer to the road, wrapping us in a subtle green corridor. This part of the state begins to feel less like the broad plains we left behind and more like the hill country of western Arkansas. At Exit 308, we reach our destination at the junction with U.S. Highway 59—a north-south corridor that connects Sallisaw with Fort Smith to the south and Stilwell to the north. Sallisaw itself is a small but historically rich town, with ties to Sequoyah, the Cherokee scholar who created the Cherokee syllabary, and a community that still honors its Native roots.
This segment of I-40 is more than a way to get from one place to another—it’s a subtle geography lesson, a shift in rhythm, and a preview of the landscapes to come as the interstate plunges deeper into the American highlands. Whether you’re crossing state lines or simply chasing the curve of the highway, this part of Oklahoma invites you to slow down, take in the view, and appreciate the transition between prairie and plateau.
🗺️ Route Map
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