Origin
Alaska, IN
Evening in Alaska on Sunday
Local time
7:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
1h 7m
Distance
41.8 mi
67 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alaska, IN
John De Leon
Eel River, IN
Volcsei Peter
If you are planning a quick excursion through the Indiana heartland, the 41.8-mile trek from Alaska to Eel River is an ideal candidate for a single-day journey. You should budget approximately 1 hour and 7 minutes behind the wheel to complete this trip across the Midwest. With a fuel cost estimate of just $6, it is a budget-friendly way to navigate between these two points. The route utilizes a combination of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, State Route 59, and State Road 42 to get you to your destination. Because the total duration is quite short, there is no need to split this into an overnight stay, making it a perfect low-stress day trip. It is a straightforward drive that prioritizes efficiency over lengthy sightseeing pauses.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
20.9 miles from Alaska, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 38m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While you will spend 23% of your time on highways, the majority of the trip consists of smaller roads that shift the pace of your journey. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which lasts for 17.9 miles before you transition onto different state routes. This transition from high-speed pavement to local roads creates a changing environment as you progress toward Eel River. Be prepared to navigate frequent turns throughout the journey, which keeps the experience engaging for those who prefer an active driving style over steady highway travel.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in near SR 42 / County Road 500 N.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 7m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles (SR 42 / County Road 500 N): Navigation decision point; at 4.7 miles (SR 42 / State Road 42): Navigation decision point; at 30.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto SR 42 / County Road 500 N
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto SR 42 / State Road 42
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward SR 59: Linton, Brazil
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto SR 59 / State Route 59
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto West County Road 450 South
Navigation decision point
On the drive from Alaska, IN to Eel River, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Brazil along the way.
Brazil
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | 17.9 mi | 19m |
| State Route 59 | 9.6 mi | 13m |
| State Road 42 | 5.5 mi | 9m |
| South Main Street | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| North Bowman Road | 1.3 mi | 4m |
| County Road 500 N | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Lewisville Road | 1 mi | 3m |
| County Road 1250 West | 1 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Alaska, IN and Eel River, IN.
Start on Lewisville Road
Turn right onto North Bowman Road
Continue on County Road 1250 West
Turn left onto SR 42
Continue on SR 42
Turn right onto SR 42
Turn right onto US 231
Continue on US 231
Turn left
Merge onto I 70
Take the exit
Turn left onto SR 59
Turn right onto West County Road 450 South
Turn right onto South County Road 75 West
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short trip with 0 planned stops, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule. I recommend leaving mid-morning to take full advantage of the daylight, especially since the route involves technical, turn-heavy local roads that are best navigated with clear visibility. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before setting out, as the $6 estimated cost is quite low, but you will want to avoid unnecessary detours that could add time to your hour-long journey. Because the longest single stretch is under 18 miles, you can easily pace yourself without needing forced rest breaks. My top tip is to familiarize yourself with the transition points between the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, State Route 59, and State Road 42 before you leave to ensure a smooth transition between road types.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 41.8 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.9 miles or 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Eel River, IN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Alaska, IN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alaska, IN
This is one driving day of about 41.8 miles and 1h 7m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.9 mi from Alaska, IN · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 41.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 20.9 miles from Alaska, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Eel River, IN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Eel River, IN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$6.35 one way
$12.70 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $7.00 | $14.00 |
| premium | $4.80 | $7.89 | $15.78 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.29 | $18.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.5 | 0 | $4.39 | $2.01 |
| Efficient EV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.66 | $1.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.85 | $2.68 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Alaska on Sunday
Local time
7:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Eel River on Sunday
Local time
7:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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