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Trip from Kendallville, IN to Indianapolis, IN

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

Drive Time

2h 56m

Distance

145.3 mi

234 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

7 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 46m ★
6 AM
2h 57m
8 AM
3h 19m
10 AM
3h 5m
12 PM
3h 3m
3 PM
3h 6m
5 PM
3h 18m
8 PM
2h 50m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Indiana, USA

Kendallville, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Kendallville, IN to Indianapolis, IN covers 145.3 miles and takes about 2h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 69, South Lima Road, Binford Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 109.4 miles on I 69. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.72 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

72.6 miles from Kendallville, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 145.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 56m highway drive covering 145.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 69 and South Lima Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 109.4 miles on I 69.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 109.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and South Lima Road. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 23.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 145.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 23.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.5 miles (I 69; US 24; US 30): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

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

5
23.2 mi into trip | ~33m 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
23.5 mi into trip | ~34m 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.
4
132.6 mi into trip | ~2h 32m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
145.2 mi into trip | ~2h 56m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

5
145.2 mi into trip | ~2h 56m in

At end of road, turn right

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 69 109.4 mi 1h 58m
South Lima Road 21.8 mi 30m
Binford Boulevard 6.4 mi 9m
East Fall Creek Parkway North Drive 3 mi 5m
North Meridian Street 2.4 mi 6m
South Main Street 1.4 mi 2m
East Fall Creek Parkway, North Drive 0.2 mi <1m
Monument Circle <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 69 — 109.4 mi, about 1h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kendallville, IN and Indianapolis, IN.

1

Start on East Rush Street

47 ft · 9 sec · East Rush Street
2

Turn left onto South Main Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
3

Continue on South Main Street

258 ft · 7 sec · South Main Street
4

Turn left onto SR 3

22 mi · 30 min · South Lima Road
5

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 69 South, US 24 West, US 30 West: Indianapolis
6

Merge onto I 69; US 24; US 30

8.4 mi · 9 min · I 69; US 24; US 30
Use the straight lane.
7

Continue on I 69; US 33

76 mi · 1 hr 21 min · I 69; US 33
8

Continue on I 69; SR 9; SR 67

24 mi · 26 min · I 69; SR 9; SR 67
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 13 sec
10

Merge onto I 69

0.3 mi · 23 sec · I 69
11

Continue on Binford Boulevard

6.4 mi · 9 min · Binford Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
12

Continue on East Fall Creek Parkway North Drive

3.0 mi · 5 min · East Fall Creek Parkway North Drive
13

Continue on East Fall Creek Parkway, North Drive

0.2 mi · 31 sec · East Fall Creek Parkway, North Drive
14

Turn left onto North Meridian Street

2.4 mi · 6 min · North Meridian Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15

Turn right onto Monument Circle

368 ft · 46 sec · Monument Circle
16

Turn left

76 ft · 6 sec
17

At end of road, turn right

257 ft · 28 sec
18

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.6 miles from Kendallville, IN, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.4 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 32 miles or 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 72.6 miles or 1h 27m 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 17m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Kendallville, 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 Kendallville, IN

This is one driving day of about 145.3 miles and 2h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Kendallville, 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 109.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 72.6 mi from Kendallville, IN · 1h 27m into the drive

city and county seat of Madison County, Indiana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Anderson, IN

73 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

Anderson, IN to Indianapolis, IN

39 mi · 58m

Pacing Suggestions

Roanoke, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gas City, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.6 miles from Kendallville, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 69 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.4 miles.

Arriving in Indianapolis, IN

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.

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.

Nearby Places

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

Top Restaurant

The Capital Grille

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Indianapolis, Indiana

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route Very expen mile 145.3

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+13174238790

Visit website

Five Guys

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Indianapolis, Indiana

0.1 mi

Golden’s Fish & Chicken LLC

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Indianapolis, Indiana

0.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Good Vibes Cafe Indy

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Indianapolis, Indiana

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 145.3

Hours: 8:30 am–7 pm

+14632022117

Visit website

Georgia Street Grind

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Indianapolis, Indiana

0.3 mi

Falls Perk Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pendleton, Indiana

1.6 mi

The Capital Grille

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route Very expen mile 145.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+13174238790

Visit website

Five Guys

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 145.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+13173533422

Visit website

Golden’s Fish & Chicken LLC

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 134.9

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 10:30 am–11 pm

+13174368186

Visit website

La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 134.9

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13175772689

Visit website

Petra Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 145.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+13176023535

Visit website

Siam Square

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 145.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13176368424

Visit website

Namaste Biryani Indian Restaurant (Takeout/Delivery)

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 145.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+13176696848

Visit website

Delhi Palace Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 145.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 10:30 am–3 pm

+13179551700

Visit website

Good Vibes Cafe Indy

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 145.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 8:30 am–7 pm

+14632022117

Visit website

Georgia Street Grind

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 145.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+13173719949

Visit website

Falls Perk Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 114.1

Pendleton, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+17657783423

Visit website

Five Lakes Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 31.1

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: 5:30 am–7 pm

+12602220366

Visit website

The Light House coffee bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 20.8

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12604333710

Visit website

The Hive Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 31.1

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–5:30 pm

+12602409911

Visit website

Black Forest Cat Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 20.8

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: 9:30 am–6 pm

+12604982988

Visit website

Well Grounded Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 20.8

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+12606376622

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 31.1

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 31.1

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 31.1

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 31.1

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 20.8

Fort Wayne, Indiana

+18333994638

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 31.1

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 31.1

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Indy with Kids

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 145.3

Indianapolis, IN

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13174555289

Visit website

Mississinewa 1812

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 72.6

Marion, Indiana

+17656139248

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.72 one way

$45.43 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $24.94 $49.88
premium $4.89 $27.96 $55.92
diesel $5.61 $32.08 $64.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

7 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

ChargePoint Charging Station

Fort Wayne, Indiana

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Fort Wayne, Indiana

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Electrify America Charging Station

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Electrify America

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Tesla

1 DCFC

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Fort Wayne, Indiana

InCharge

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Fort Wayne, Indiana

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Blink

1 DCFC

ChargePoint: 3 Electrify America: 1 Tesla: 1 InCharge: 1 Blink: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.6 0 $15.26 $6.97
Efficient EV 36.3 0 $12.71 $5.81
EV Truck/SUV 58.1 0 $20.34 $9.30

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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 14, 2026

Origin

Kendallville, IN

Morning in Kendallville on Saturday

Local time

7:09 AM

EDT

Current temp

35°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Indianapolis, IN

Morning in Indianapolis on Saturday

Local time

7:09 AM

EDT

Current temp

74°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

Same local time

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

Temperature spread

39 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

2h 56m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Kendallville, IN to Indianapolis, IN covers 145.3 miles and takes about 2h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 69, South Lima Road, Binford Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 72.6 miles from Kendallville, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.72 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 145.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 23.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.5 miles (I 69; US 24; US 30): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

The route from Kendallville, IN to Indianapolis, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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