Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 19m
Distance
177.9 mi
286 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Evansville, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Lawrence, IN
Wikimedia Commons
This 177.9-mile drive from Evansville to Lawrence, Indiana, is a straightforward 3-hour and 19-minute journey primarily utilizing I-69. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, it's perfectly suited as a single-day trip. You can expect a fuel cost of around $28 for this route. Traveling within the Midwest, this drive offers a consistent experience without significant regional transitions. The single recommended stop suggests a brief pause is all that's needed to complete this efficient trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
88.9 miles from Evansville, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 177.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the route utilizing major roadways like I-69 and East Lloyd Expressway. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including a continuous 169.7-mile segment on I-69. This means minimal slowdowns and a predictable pace for most of your journey. The character is predominantly that of an interstate cruise, designed for efficient travel between these two Indiana cities.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and East Lloyd Expressway. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East Walnut Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 177.9 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (John Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.1 miles (I 69): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto East Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto John Street
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 69
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 36; SR 67 toward US 36 East, SR 67 North: Pendleton Pike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36; SR 67 toward US 36 East, SR 67 North: Lawrence
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 69 | 169.7 mi | 3h 5m |
| East Lloyd Expressway | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| North Burkhardt Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| US 36 | 1 mi | 2m |
| Morgan Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Garvin Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| McCoy Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| John Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Evansville, IN and Lawrence, IN.
Start on this road
Turn left
Turn right onto East Walnut Street
Turn right onto South Garvin Street
Turn right onto John Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto SR 62
Turn left onto North Burkhardt Road
Turn right onto SR 62
Turn left
Merge onto I 69
Continue on I 69; I 465
Take the exit onto US 36; SR 67
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36; SR 67
Turn left onto McCoy Street
Turn left
Turn right
Arrive at destination
For this 3-hour, 19-minute drive, departing in the morning is advisable to avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and a 169.7-mile stretch on I-69, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Consider making your stop around the halfway point to break up the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $28; planning your fuel stop before hitting the longest stretch on I-69 will ensure a smooth continuation.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 39 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.9 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lawrence, IN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Evansville, 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 Evansville, IN
This is one driving day of about 177.9 miles and 3h 19m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 88.9 mi from Evansville, IN · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 88.9 miles from Evansville, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 69 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 169.7 miles.
The final approach into Lawrence, 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 Lawrence, IN.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$27.81 one way
$55.63 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.54 | $61.07 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.24 | $68.47 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.28 | $78.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.4 | 0 | $18.68 | $8.54 |
| Efficient EV | 44.5 | 0 | $15.57 | $7.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.2 | 0 | $24.91 | $11.39 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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
Afternoon in Evansville on Friday
Local time
12:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in Lawrence on Friday
Local time
1:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
74°F
Bloomington, IN
89 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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Evansville, IN or browse trips ending in Lawrence, IN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IN road trips.
