Drive Time
47m
Distance
45.9 mi
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
The drive from Columbus, IN to Indianapolis, IN covers 45.9 miles and takes about 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Jonathan Moore Pike, I 65 North, I 70 West for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.23 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.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
23 miles from Columbus, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
Expect a 47m drive with frequent turns across 45.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Moore Pike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 65 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 70 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Meridian Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Madison Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Meridian Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Georgia Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Columbus, IN and Indianapolis, IN.
Start on 3rd Street
Continue on Jonathan Moore Pike
Take the exit slight right toward I 65 North: Indianapolis
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West: Saint Louis
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Take the exit slight right toward Meridian Street
Continue on Madison Avenue
Continue on South Meridian Street
Turn left onto West Georgia Street
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Illinois Street
Turn right onto West Market Street
At the end of the road, turn right
Arrive at your destination
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 45.9 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 23 miles or 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Indianapolis, IN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Columbus, 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 Columbus, IN
This is one driving day of about 45.9 miles and 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23 mi from Columbus, IN · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 45.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 23 miles from Columbus, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Indianapolis, 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 Indianapolis, IN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$6.23 one way
$12.47 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $6.96 | $13.91 |
| premium | $4.15 | $7.50 | $15.00 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $6.78 | $13.55 |
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: 16.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.82 | $2.20 |
| Efficient EV | 11.5 | 0 | $4.02 | $1.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.43 | $2.94 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Columbus on Saturday
Local time
6:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Indianapolis on Saturday
Local time
6:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
76°F
Cincinnati, OH
23 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
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.
Explore more options from Columbus, IN or browse trips ending in Indianapolis, IN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IN road trips.
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