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Trip from Jeffersonville, IN to Kankakee, IN

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 3m

Distance

250.4 mi

403 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 50m ★
6 AM
5h 3m
8 AM
5h 30m
10 AM
5h 13m
12 PM
5h 10m
3 PM
5h 14m
5 PM
5h 29m
8 PM
4h 55m

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

city in Clark County, Indiana, United States

Jeffersonville, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Kankakee, IN, IN

Kankakee, IN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from Jeffersonville, IN to Kankakee, IN covers 250.4 miles and takes about 5h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on North Meridian Street, I 65, I 69 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 105 miles on North Meridian Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.15 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

125.2 miles from Jeffersonville, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 3m. Total distance: 250.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Drive Character

The drive from Jeffersonville, IN to Kankakee, IN covers 250.4 miles and takes about 5h 3m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Meridian Street is the longest continuous segment at about 105 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 102.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 17 significant decision points across 250.4 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 102.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
102.8 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in

Take the exit toward Southport Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 103 Toward Southport Road
7
124.2 mi into trip | ~2h 19m in

Take the exit toward Keystone Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 33 Toward Keystone Avenue
7
124.6 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in

Turn right toward North Keystone Parkway, West 96th Street, West 98th Street, East 96th Street

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward North Keystone Parkway, West 96th Street...
7
124.6 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in | North Keystone Avenue

Merge onto North Keystone Avenue

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
124.9 mi into trip | ~2h 21m in

Enter roundabout toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street

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 Jeffersonville, IN to Kankakee, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Bremen along the way.

Bremen

235.2 mi in | ~4h 40m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Meridian Street 105 mi 2h 10m
I 65 101.9 mi 1h 50m
I 69 14 mi 16m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway 9.3 mi 12m
Keystone Parkway 5 mi 7m
Laporte Trail 3.6 mi 4m
I 465 2.9 mi 3m
South Emerson Avenue 2.5 mi 4m
Longest stretch: North Meridian Street — 105 mi, about 2h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Jeffersonville, IN and Kankakee, IN.

1

Start on Watt Street

257 ft · 13 sec · Watt Street
2

Turn right onto East Court Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Court Avenue
3

Turn slight right onto 6th Street

0.3 mi · 45 sec · 6th Street
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
5

Merge onto I 65

102 mi · 1 hr 50 min · I 65
6

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 103 Toward Southport Road Use the slight right lane.
7

Turn slight right

176 ft · 4 sec
8

Turn straight onto East Southport Road

0.2 mi · 26 sec · East Southport Road
9

Turn left onto South Emerson Avenue

2.5 mi · 4 min · South Emerson Avenue
Use the left lane.
10

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 58 sec
11

Merge onto I 69; I 74; I 465

2.3 mi · 2 min · I 69; I 74; I 465
12

Continue on I 69; I 465

12 mi · 13 min · I 69; I 465
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 465

0.3 mi · 19 sec · I 465
14

Continue on I-465 WB

0.8 mi · 56 sec · I-465 WB
15

Continue on I 465

2.6 mi · 3 min · I 465
Use the straight lane.
16

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 33 Toward Keystone Avenue Use the slight right lane.
17

Turn right

172 ft · 6 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, West 96th Street, West 98th Street, East 96th Street Use the slight right lane.
18

Merge onto North Keystone Avenue

0.3 mi · 44 sec · North Keystone Avenue
Use the right lane.
19

Enter roundabout

113 ft · 6 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
20

Continue

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
21

Keep slight left at fork

436 ft · 11 sec
Toward Keystone Parkway
22

Merge onto Keystone Parkway

5.0 mi · 7 min · Keystone Parkway
23

Merge onto US 31

105 mi · 2 hr 10 min · North Meridian Street
24

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward US 6: Walkerton, Bremen
25

Turn left onto US 6

9.3 mi · 12 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
26

Continue on US 6

1.9 mi · 4 min · Roosevelt Road
27

Turn right onto SR 104

3.6 mi · 4 min · Laporte Trail
28

Arrive at destination

SR 104

Trip Plan

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 125.2 miles from Jeffersonville, IN, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 55 miles or 1h 1m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 125.2 miles or 2h 22m 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 3m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Jeffersonville, 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 Jeffersonville, IN

This is one driving day of about 250.4 miles and 5h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Jeffersonville, 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 North Meridian Street for about 105 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 125.2 mi from Jeffersonville, IN · 2h 22m into the drive

city in Hamilton County, Indiana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Carmel, IN

125 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.

Popular next leg

Carmel, IN to Kankakee, IN

122.3 mi · 2h 36m

Pacing Suggestions

Nebraska, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Carmel, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 125.2 miles from Jeffersonville, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before North Meridian Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105 miles.

Arriving in Kankakee, IN

The final approach into Kankakee, 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 Kankakee, 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

$39.15 one way

$78.29 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 88 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $42.98 $85.96
premium $4.89 $48.19 $96.37
diesel $5.61 $55.29 $110.57

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 87.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 75.1 0 $26.29 $12.02
Efficient EV 62.6 0 $21.91 $10.02
EV Truck/SUV 100.2 1 $35.06 $16.03

Gas CO2

88 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Jeffersonville, IN

Afternoon in Jeffersonville on Thursday

Local time

1:31 PM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kankakee, IN

Afternoon in Kankakee on Thursday

Local time

12:31 PM

CDT

Current temp

51°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

25 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

5h 3m 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 Jeffersonville, IN to Kankakee, IN covers 250.4 miles and takes about 5h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Meridian Street, I 65, I 69. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 125.2 miles from Jeffersonville, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.15 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 is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 250.4 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 102.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Jeffersonville, IN to Kankakee, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Bremen along the way.

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