Starting in the new year, drivers will pay a little more to drive on Oklahoma turnpikes. Officials said a big part of this is to help fund the Access Oklahoma long-range plan.

OKLAHOMA — The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) Board approved a toll rate hike at Tuesday's meeting. OTA said toll rate increases will be needed to fund ACCESS Oklahoma, the 15-year long-range plan announced in December of 2021.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma turnpike users will see an average 15% increase in tolls effective Jan. 1. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority on Tuesday voted 6-0 to approve the hike to pay for a roadway extension and improvement project.

The OTA’s average per mile cost currently is 6 cents per mile based on PikePass rates, which will rise to 7 cents with the increase, Echelle said. The national average is 22 cents per mile, a figure that doesn’t include planned increase in other states, he said.

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority voted to raise tolls an average 15% starting Jan. 1 as costs escalate on ACCESS Oklahoma.

Drivers can expect to start paying more to use the Oklahoma turnpikes starting January 1st. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution to increase toll rates on all state turnpikes.