Where is McAlester, Oklahoma, USA?

Written and fact-checked by | Reviewed by WhereIG Editorial Team | Last updated: August 14, 2026, 18:45 ET

Where is McAlester Located? - McAlester is a city located in the Pittsburg County of Oklahoma, United States. McAlester lies between 35.3501426 Degrees North latitudes and 80.2000578 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of McAlester, Oklahoma

Where is McAlester, Oklahoma

McAlester Map, Oklahoma, USA

Where is McAlester?: The Google Map showing the location of McAlester in the U.S. state of Oklahoma.

Where is McAlester Located?

McAlester is a city located in the Pittsburg County of Oklahoma, United States. McAlester lies between 35.3501426 Degrees North latitudes and 80.2000578 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of McAlester city is 18171 people and the city has a total area of 16.2 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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McAlester, Oklahoma Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CityMcAlester
CountyPittsburg County
StateOklahoma
State CapitalOklahoma City
US RegionSouthern United States (South Central Region)
Latitude34.9334° N
Longitude95.7697° W
Elevation748 ft (228 m)
Land Area40.11 sq mi
Water Area0.24 sq mi
Total Area40.35 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)18,363
Population Density458 per sq mi
ZIP Code(s)74501
Area Code(s)918
Time Zone StandardCentral Standard Time (CST, UTC−6)
Time Zone DaylightCentral Daylight Time (CDT, UTC−5)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code40-45000
Congressional DistrictOklahoma's 2nd Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in McAlester

CategoryDetails
Airport NameMcAlester Regional Airport
IATA CodeMLC
Major HighwaysU.S. Route 69, U.S. Route 270, Oklahoma State Highway 1, Oklahoma State Highway 31
Train ServiceFreight rail service available
Local Transit ServiceMcAlester Public Transit services
  • McAlester is located in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, and serves as the county seat.
  • The city is located in southeastern Oklahoma in the Choctaw Nation region.
  • McAlester is known for its coal mining history, military presence, historic downtown, and cultural heritage.
  • The community developed as an important regional center for mining, transportation, government, and commerce.

Top Places to Visit in McAlester, Oklahoma

Landmark NameType
McAlester Scottish Rite TempleHistoric Building
J.G. Puterbaugh HouseHistoric Home
Chadick ParkCommunity Park
McAlester LakeRecreation Lake
Choctaw Casino McAlesterEntertainment Venue
Tannehill MuseumHistory Museum
Arrowhead Area at Lake Eufaula (nearby)Recreation Area
Lake Eufaula State Park (nearby)State Park
Robbers Cave State Park (nearby)State Park
Fort Smith National Historic Site (nearby)Historic Site

Driving Distances from McAlester, Oklahoma to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
MuskogeeOklahoma551 hour
TulsaOklahoma951 hour 30 minutes
Oklahoma CityOklahoma1202 hours
Fort SmithArkansas951 hour 40 minutes
Broken ArrowOklahoma1001 hour 35 minutes
FayettevilleArkansas1502 hours 30 minutes
WichitaKansas2504 hours
DallasTexas1803 hours
Little RockArkansas1903 hours
Kansas CityMissouri2604 hours

Colleges and Universities Near McAlester, Oklahoma

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Kiamichi Technology Centers – McAlester CampusPublicTechnical SchoolCareer training, technology, healthcare, and workforce programs
Eastern Oklahoma State CollegePublicCommunity CollegeAgriculture, business, nursing, and technical programs
Southeastern Oklahoma State UniversityPublicUniversityBusiness, education, aviation, and liberal arts
Oklahoma State University Institute of TechnologyPublicTechnical UniversityApplied technology, engineering technology, and industry programs
University of OklahomaPublicResearch UniversityEngineering, business, medicine, and research

Waterbodies Near McAlester, Oklahoma

McAlester is located in Pittsburg County in southeastern Oklahoma. Major nearby water resources include Lake Eufaula, McAlester Lake, Canadian River, and Gaines Creek. These waterways provide opportunities for boating, fishing, camping, wildlife observation, and outdoor recreation.

Stadiums and Sports Facilities in McAlester

McAlester features sports and recreation facilities including Ron Ramming Field, Chadick Park, McAlester Sports Complex, and local school athletic facilities. The city supports football, baseball, softball, and community recreation programs.

McAlester, Oklahoma — Key Historical Facts

  • McAlester was founded in the late nineteenth century and was named after J. J. McAlester, an early coal mining entrepreneur and merchant.
  • The discovery and development of coal deposits helped McAlester become an important mining center in Indian Territory.
  • The city grew rapidly after the arrival of railroads, which supported coal transportation and regional commerce.
  • McAlester became the seat of Pittsburg County and developed as a government and business hub.
  • The Oklahoma State Penitentiary was established in McAlester in the late nineteenth century and remains a major state facility.
  • During World War II, McAlester expanded through military-related activities and defense industries.
  • Today, McAlester is recognized for its coal heritage, military connections, historic architecture, outdoor recreation, and role as a regional center in southeastern Oklahoma.

References

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