Origin
Kent, IN
Late night in Kent on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kent, IN to Madison, IN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
14m
Distance
8.9 mi
14 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 14m
★
6 AM
0h 15m
8 AM
0h 18m
10 AM
0h 16m
12 PM
0h 16m
3 PM
0h 16m
5 PM
0h 17m
8 PM
0h 14m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kent, IN
Rory C
Madison, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick, straightforward trip within Indiana, the 8.9-mile jaunt from Kent to Madison is a perfect candidate. This short drive takes approximately 14 minutes to complete, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight planning. You will navigate entirely on local roads, as the route contains no highway driving. With a minimal fuel budget of just $1, this is an incredibly economical way to travel between these two Midwestern locations. Because the trip is so brief and requires zero stops, it offers a simple, no-fuss connection for your travel needs.
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
4.4 miles from Kent, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged from start to finish. You will spend the bulk of your time, specifically 6.3 miles, on West Main Street, which serves as the longest uninterrupted stretch of the journey. The remainder of your 8.9-mile path relies on navigating Clifty Hollow Road and West Street. Since this route maintains a 0% highway share, you should prepare for a slower, more deliberate pace rather than a high-speed commute. The character of the drive is defined by these local connections, offering a consistent feel as you transition between your origin and destination.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 7 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Main Street is the longest continuous segment at about 6.3 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
796 ft
458 ft
Total Climb
136 ft
Total Descent
360 ft
Highest Point
796 ft
~4.4 mi in
Elevation Range
337 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 256 / West Main Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 14m drive. You will face about 4 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 256 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 5 miles (SR 56 / Clifty Hollow Road): Navigation decision point; at 8.8 miles (West Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
4 of 4 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SR 256 / West Main Street
Turn left onto SR 256 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
SR 56 / Clifty Hollow Road
At end of road, turn left onto SR 56 / Clifty Hollow Road
Navigation decision point
3
8.8 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
West Street
Turn right onto West Street
Navigation decision point
4
8.8 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Main Street | 6.3 mi | 10m |
| Clifty Hollow Road | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| West Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Kent Wall Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
West Main Street
— 6.3 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kent, IN and Madison, IN.
1
Start on Kent Wall Street
49 ft
·
5 sec
·
Kent Wall Street
2
Turn left onto SR 256
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
West Main Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto SR 56
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Clifty Hollow Road
4
Continue on SR 56
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
5
Turn right onto West Street
184 ft
·
9 sec
·
West Street
6
Turn left
71 ft
·
5 sec
7
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 14-minute duration of this trip, you have total flexibility in your departure time. Since the entire route is under 9 miles and requires no scheduled stops, you can easily fit this into any part of your day. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the roads means you should stay alert to your navigation, especially when transitioning between West Main Street and the local streets in Madison. Budgeting $1 for fuel is more than sufficient for this short distance, allowing you to focus on the road rather than logistics. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning your arrival in Madison exactly when you need to be there.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 4.4 miles from Kent, IN, or about 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.3 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 8.9 miles or 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 4.4 miles or 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madison, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kent, 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 Kent, IN
This is one driving day of about 8.9 miles and 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kent, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on West Main Street for about 6.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 4.4 mi from Kent, IN · 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
4 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 8.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 4.4 miles from Kent, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Madison, IN
The final approach into Madison, 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 Madison, IN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.39 one way
$2.78 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
3 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $1.53 | $3.06 |
| premium | $4.89 | $1.71 | $3.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $1.97 | $3.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.7 | 0 | $0.93 | $0.43 |
| Efficient EV | 2.2 | 0 | $0.78 | $0.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.6 | 0 | $1.25 | $0.57 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 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.
Destination
Madison, IN
Late night in Madison on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
1 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
14m 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 Kent, IN to Madison, IN covers 8.9 miles and takes about 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Main Street, Clifty Hollow Road, West Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 4.4 miles from Kent, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.39 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.
This is a straightforward 14m drive. You will face about 4 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 256 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 5 miles (SR 56 / Clifty Hollow Road): Navigation decision point; at 8.8 miles (West Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Kent, IN to Madison, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 458 ft to 796 ft elevation with about 136 ft of total climbing.
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