After leaving Ada the highway becomes gradually more hilly and curvy, and turns northeast.

Here the road continues east and becomes even more hilly and curvy as it heads toward the Winding Stair Mountains.

This begins the final 26 miles (41 km) of the highway, officially named the Talimena Drive because it runs from Talihina to Mena, Arkansas.

At either end of the Talimena Drive, signs are posted stating that the highway is closed during cold and foggy conditions, and that no snow control is provided.

The height of the mountain peaks on the Drive causes the oaks and pines to grow so much slower and shorter than the rest of Southeast Oklahoma.

On a hot summer day, the winds on the Talimena Drive may be a good 10 degrees cooler than other nearby locations.

The roadbed continues on as Highway 88, toward Queen Wilhelmina State Park and the city of Mena, Arkansas.