Major city · United States
Okemah
Skip unless you are a Woody Guthrie fan or need an I-40 stop. One hour is enough for the memorial and museum; no reason to stay overnight.
Okemah is a small town on I-40 in Frontier Country, best known as the birthplace of folk singer Woody Guthrie. The main draw is the Woody Guthrie memorial site and the Okfuskee County Historical Museum. Most travellers pass through in under an hour; there is no reason to linger unless you are attending the annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in July.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid)
- Airports
- OKC · TUL
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Okemah911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Okemah, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyOkemah is a safe small town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportOKC Will Rogers World Airport (Oklahoma City) (About 1 h 15 min west on I-40).
- Getting aroundOkemah is walkable along Broadway (the main street).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–3
- Sit-down mealPlate lunch at Ali's Place IIcheck$8–12
- Budget bedDays Inn double room, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedDays Inn double room, a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedDays Inn double room, a night, per roomUS$140
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$40 · Mid US$80 · High US$150
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- OKC Will Rogers World Airport (Oklahoma City) (About 1 h 15 min west on I-40) · TUL Tulsa International Airport (About 1 h 15 min north-east via US-62 and I-44)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Okemah: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
5 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Jul
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Okemah is walkable along Broadway (the main street). A car is needed to reach Okemah Lake, about 10 min north.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30 min
I-40 west, about 25 min
Larger town with the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art and a historic downtown.
Door to door: 1 h 15 min
I-40 west to I-35 south, about 1 h
University town with the Sam Noble Museum and National Weather Center tours.
Door to door: 50 min
US-62 north, about 45 min
Home of Oklahoma State University; walkable campus and the Botanic Garden.
Oklahoma City
goDoor to door: 1 h 20 min
I-40 west, about 1 h 15 min
State capital with the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and Bricktown.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
I-40 corridor
Days Inn by Wyndham Okemah is the only hotel in town; book ahead during the folk festival.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $40–60 excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–120 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Days Inn double room1 × 1 night × US$100 | US$100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$80 | US$160 |
| Ali's Place II plate lunch2 × US$12 · check | US$24 |
| Gas (50 mi round trip from Oklahoma City)1 × US$10 · check | US$10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$29 |
| Trip total≈ US$162 per person per day, bed included | US$323 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Plate lunch at Ali's Place IIcheck | $8–12 |
| All-you-can-eat catfish (Friday only)check | $15–18 |
| Coffee | $2–3 |
| Gas (per gallon)2026 estimate | $3.00–3.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in July fills all rooms months ahead.
- I-40 can be busy with truck traffic; watch for speed traps in town.
- Most restaurants close by 14:00 except Friday evening.Most restaurants close by 2:00 PM except Friday evening.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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OkemahOkemah
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
The nearest US embassy is in Washington, DC; consulates in Houston, Dallas and Denver. For international visitors, check visa requirements at /united-states/visa-requirements.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Oklahoma City → Okemah (I-40 east): about 1 h 15 min, 70 mi
- Tulsa → Okemah (US-62 west): about 1 h 15 min, 65 mi
Say or show
- Howdy — Hello
- Thanks — Thank you
- How much? — How much is it?
- Where's the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Okemah. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the Woody Guthrie memorial site and Okfuskee County Historical Museum with verified hours and closure dates.
- Eat page for Ali's Place II with Friday catfish special and last-order times.
- Annual event fixture for the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival (July) with accommodation alerts.
Sources
- officialOkemah official website
- secondaryOkfuskee County Historical Museum Facebook page
- officialDays Inn by Wyndham Okemah
- secondaryAli's Place II
- secondaryWikivoyage: Okemah, revision 4954533 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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