Origin
Fort Wayne, IN
Morning in Fort Wayne on Wednesday
Local time
6:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Wayne, IN to Cannelton, IN
Data updated 4 hours ago
Drive Time
5h 43m
Distance
284.9 mi
458 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 30m
★
6 AM
5h 44m
8 AM
6h 10m
10 AM
5h 53m
12 PM
5h 50m
3 PM
5h 54m
5 PM
6h 9m
8 PM
5h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cannelton, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on a road trip from Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Cannelton, Indiana, covers 284.9 miles and is estimated to take about 5 hours and 43 minutes. This drive is designed for a single day, making it a feasible option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. The journey is primarily highway-focused, with 97% of the route utilizing major roads. Expect a fuel cost of around $45 for this trip. Given its Midwest origins and destination, you'll remain within the familiar landscapes of the region throughout your travels.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
142.4 miles from Fort Wayne, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with a significant 97% share of the route on major roads. You'll spend a substantial amount of time on interstates and well-maintained state highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 180.3 miles, primarily on I-69, offering a chance to maintain a steady pace. While the bulk of the journey is on faster routes, be prepared for a shift as you transition onto SR 37 and then SR 145, which may offer a slightly different driving dynamic as you approach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 69 is the longest continuous segment at about 180.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and SR 37. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 284.9 miles you will encounter 13 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 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles (I 69; US 24; US 30): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.2 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward I 69 South, US 24 West, US 30 West: Indianapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 69 South, US 24 West, US 30 West: Indi...
5
2.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 69; US 24; US 30
Merge onto I 69; US 24; US 30
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
111.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
|
I 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
8
133.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
I 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69 toward I 69 South: Evansville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
6
182.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
|
SR 37
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 37 toward SR 37 South: Bedford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 114
Toward SR 37 South: Bedford
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 69 | 180.3 mi | 3h 19m |
| SR 37 | 68.9 mi | 1h 30m |
| SR 145 | 16.2 mi | 23m |
| US 150 | 10.6 mi | 14m |
| Indiana State Road 237 | 5 mi | 7m |
| East Washington Center Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| SR 64 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| State Road 66 | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 180.3 mi, about 3h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Wayne, IN and Cannelton, IN.
1
Start on Dartmouth Drive
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Dartmouth Drive
2
Turn left onto East Washington Center Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Washington Center Road
3
Turn left onto SR 3
378 ft
·
14 sec
·
Lima Road
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 69 South, US 24 West, US 30 West: Indianapolis
5
Merge onto I 69; US 24; US 30
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
I 69; US 24; US 30
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on I 69; US 33
76 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
I 69; US 33
7
Continue on I 69; SR 9; SR 67
24 mi
·
26 min
·
I 69; SR 9; SR 67
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 69
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on I 69
22 mi
·
25 min
·
I 69
Exit 200
Toward I 465 South, I 69 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
48 mi
·
54 min
·
I 69
Exit 5
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 37
42 mi
·
52 min
·
SR 37
Exit 114
Toward SR 37 South: Bedford
12
Enter roundabout onto US 150; SR 37; SR 56
156 ft
·
2 sec
·
West Main Street
13
Continue on US 150; SR 37; SR 56
260 ft
·
6 sec
·
West Main Street
14
Continue on US 150; SR 56
11 mi
·
14 min
·
US 150; SR 56
15
Turn left onto SR 145
16 mi
·
23 min
·
SR 145
16
Continue on SR 64
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
SR 64
17
Continue on SR 37
27 mi
·
38 min
·
SR 37
18
Turn left onto SR 237
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Indiana State Road 237
19
Turn right onto SR 66
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Road 66
20
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Washington Street
21
Arrive at destination
Washington Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 43-minute drive, starting early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one major stop suggested, you have flexibility in planning your breaks. The majority of this trip, 180.3 miles, will be on I-69, so be mindful of potential traffic congestion around larger towns during peak hours. Budgeting approximately $45 for fuel is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to SR 145, as services might be less frequent.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 142.4 miles from Fort Wayne, IN, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 180.3 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.4 miles or 2h 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 4h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cannelton, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Wayne, 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 Fort Wayne, IN
This is one driving day of about 284.9 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fort Wayne, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 69 for about 180.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 142.4 mi from Fort Wayne, IN · 2h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
142 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 142.4 miles from Fort Wayne, 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 180.3 miles.
Arriving in Cannelton, IN
The final approach into Cannelton, 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 Cannelton, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.54 one way
$89.08 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
100 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $48.90 | $97.81 |
| premium | $4.89 | $54.83 | $109.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $62.90 | $125.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.5 | 1 | $29.91 | $13.68 |
| Efficient EV | 71.2 | 0 | $24.93 | $11.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114 | 1 | $39.89 | $18.23 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Destination
Cannelton, IN
Late night in Cannelton on Wednesday
Local time
5:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 43m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fort Wayne, IN to Cannelton, IN covers 284.9 miles and takes about 5h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 69, SR 37, SR 145. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 142.4 miles from Fort Wayne, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.54 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 284.9 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles (I 69; US 24; US 30): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.2 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fort Wayne, IN to Cannelton, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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