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Trip from Carmel, IN to Fairfield, IN

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 17m

Distance

102.2 mi

165 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 8m ★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Hamilton County, Indiana, United States

Carmel, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Fairfield, IN, IN

Fairfield, IN

Soran Ali

Trip Overview

The drive from Carmel, IN to Fairfield, IN covers 102.2 miles and takes about 2h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, North 8th Street, Indiana Highway 101 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 59.2 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.98 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

51.1 miles from Carmel, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway 59.2 mi 1h 7m
North 8th Street 14.8 mi 20m
Indiana Highway 101 6.4 mi 11m
I 69 5.7 mi 6m
I 465 4 mi 4m
Keystone Parkway 3.3 mi 5m
Williamsburg Pike 1.3 mi 2m
Northwest 5th Street 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Dwight D Eisenhower Highway — 59.2 mi, about 1h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Carmel, IN and Fairfield, IN.

1

Start on East Main Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · East Main Street
2

Enter roundabout

37 ft · 2 sec
3

Continue

0.2 mi · 18 sec
4

Merge onto Keystone Parkway

3.3 mi · 5 min · Keystone Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Enter roundabout

137 ft · 7 sec
Toward I 465: South Keystone Avenue
6

Continue

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 465: South Keystone Avenue
7

Keep slight left at fork

430 ft · 10 sec
Toward I 465 East: Keystone Avenue South
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.8 mi · 2 min
Toward I 465 East Use the slight left / right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 465

4.0 mi · 4 min · I 465
10

Merge onto I 69; I 465

5.7 mi · 6 min · I 69; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 17 sec
Exit 44 Toward I 70: Dayton, Indianapolis Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

143 ft · 2 sec
Toward I 70: Dayton, Indianapolis
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 70 East: Dayton Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 70

59 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
15

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 44 sec
Exit 149A Toward Williamsburg Pike, Tom Raper Way
16

Turn straight onto Williamsburg Pike

1.3 mi · 2 min · Williamsburg Pike
17

Continue on Northwest 5th Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · Northwest 5th Street
18

Turn left onto Richmond Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · Richmond Avenue
19

Continue on North D Street

0.4 mi · 58 sec · North D Street
20

Turn right onto US 27; SR 227

150 ft · 1 sec · Chester Boulevard
21

Continue on US 27; SR 227

15 mi · 20 min · North 8th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Continue on SR 101

6.4 mi · 11 min · Indiana Highway 101
23

Turn right

2.0 mi · 7 min
24

Continue on Old State Road 101

0.5 mi · 1 min · Old State Road 101
25

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 51.1 miles from Carmel, IN, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.2 miles.

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 22 miles or 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 51.1 miles or 1h 2m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairfield, IN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Carmel, 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 Carmel, IN

This is one driving day of about 102.2 miles and 2h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Carmel, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway for about 59.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Ashland, IN, IN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ashland, IN

51 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Lawrence, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New Castle, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 51.1 miles from Carmel, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Bugambilias Mexican Cuisine

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Indianapolis, Indiana

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 7.3

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13175165978

Visit website

Honest Indianapolis Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Indianapolis, Indiana

0.3 mi

Pad Thai Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Carmel, Indiana

0.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Capstone Cafe & Bookstore

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Carmel, Indiana

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+13175669132

Visit website

Bugambilias Mexican Cuisine

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 7.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13175165978

Visit website

Honest Indianapolis Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 7.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13178272137

Visit website

Pad Thai Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Carmel, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+13178188272

Visit website

Denny's Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 7.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13178494867

Visit website

Bob Evans

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.2

Greenfield, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13174670342

Visit website

Papa Murphy's | Take 'N' Bake Pizza

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 29.2

Greenfield, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13177327567

Visit website

Super Pollo Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 7.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+13175372478

Visit website

DE ORO Mexican Grill

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Carmel, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+13175800333

Visit website

Capstone Cafe & Bookstore

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Carmel, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+13175669132

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 4.1 and 14.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
4.1 mi into trip | ~6m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 465 East: Keystone Avenue South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 465 East: Keystone Avenue South
7
4.2 mi into trip | ~7m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 465 East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / right lanes. Toward I 465 East
8
14.7 mi into trip | ~20m in

Take the exit toward I 70: Dayton, Indianapolis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 44 Toward I 70: Dayton, Indianapolis
7
14.9 mi into trip | ~20m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 70: Dayton, Indianapolis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 70: Dayton, Indianapolis
7
14.9 mi into trip | ~20m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Dayton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 70 East: Dayton

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.98 one way

$31.96 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 36 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $17.54 $35.09
premium $4.89 $19.67 $39.33
diesel $5.61 $22.56 $45.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 35.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.7 0 $10.73 $4.91
Efficient EV 25.6 0 $8.94 $4.09
EV Truck/SUV 40.9 0 $14.31 $6.54

Gas CO2

36 kg

EV CO2

12 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Carmel, IN

Afternoon in Carmel on Saturday

Local time

4:01 PM

EDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fairfield, IN

Afternoon in Fairfield on Saturday

Local time

4:01 PM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

52°F

Ashland, IN

51 mi in

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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

21 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 17m on the road

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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 2h 17m drive with frequent turns across 102.2 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 59.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 102.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 4.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 4.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Carmel, IN to Fairfield, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Indianapolis along the way.

Indianapolis

14.7 mi in | ~20m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 102.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Carmel, IN to Fairfield, IN covers 102.2 miles and takes about 2h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, North 8th Street, Indiana Highway 101. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 51.1 miles from Carmel, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.98 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 102.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 4.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 4.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

On the drive from Carmel, IN to Fairfield, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Indianapolis along the way.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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