Origin
Ligonier, IN
Morning in Ligonier on Wednesday
Local time
8:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ligonier, IN to Lafayette, IN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 54m
Distance
119.3 mi
192 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 43m
★
6 AM
2h 55m
8 AM
3h 17m
10 AM
3h 2m
12 PM
3h 0m
3 PM
3h 3m
5 PM
3h 16m
8 PM
2h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ligonier, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Lafayette, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Ligonier, IN to Lafayette, IN covers 119.3 miles and takes about 2h 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Hoosier Heartland Highway, South Zimmer Road, Main Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 31.9 miles on Hoosier Heartland Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.65 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
59.6 miles from Ligonier, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 54m drive with frequent turns across 119.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Hoosier Heartland Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 31.9 miles.
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 5 / North Cavin Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 54m drive. You will face about 21 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 5 / North Cavin Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (Lincolnway West): Navigation decision point; at 79.7 miles (High Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SR 5 / North Cavin Street
Turn left onto SR 5 / North Cavin Street
Navigation decision point
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Lincolnway West
Turn right onto Lincolnway West
Navigation decision point
5
79.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
|
High Street
Turn right onto High Street
Navigation decision point
5
80.1 mi into trip
|
~2h in
|
BUS US 24 / Eel River Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto BUS US 24 / Eel River Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
119.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Hoosier Heartland Highway | 31.9 mi | 40m |
| South Zimmer Road | 24.2 mi | 36m |
| Main Street | 21.8 mi | 31m |
| SR 15 | 15.1 mi | 22m |
| Grand Army of the Republic Highway | 7.6 mi | 10m |
| Lincolnway West | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Old State Road 25 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Schuyler Avenue | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Hoosier Heartland Highway
— 31.9 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ligonier, IN and Lafayette, IN.
1
Start on Pigeon Street
38 ft
·
6 sec
·
Pigeon Street
2
Turn left onto SR 5
141 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Cavin Street
3
Turn right onto Lincolnway West
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Lincolnway West
4
Continue on CR 50
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road 50
5
Continue on SR 13
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
State Road 13
6
Turn left onto US 33; SR 13
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 33; SR 13
7
At end of road, turn right onto US 6; SR 13
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
8
Enter roundabout onto US 6
130 ft
·
2 sec
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
9
Continue on US 6
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
10
Turn left onto SR 15
15 mi
·
22 min
·
SR 15
11
Turn right onto SR 15
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East Winona Avenue
12
Turn left onto SR 25
24 mi
·
36 min
·
South Zimmer Road
13
Turn right onto SR 14; SR 25
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
East 9th Street
14
Continue on SR 14; SR 25
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
602 East 9th Street
15
Turn left onto SR 14; SR 25
22 mi
·
31 min
·
Main Street
16
Continue on SR 25
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Michigan Avenue
17
Continue on SR 25
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
North 6th Street
18
Turn right onto High Street
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
High Street
19
Continue on Eel River Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Eel River Avenue
20
At end of road, turn right onto BUS US 24
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Eel River Avenue
21
Turn right onto BUS US 24
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
East Market Street
22
Turn left onto South Cicott Street
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
South Cicott Street
23
Turn slight right onto Old State Road 25
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Old State Road 25
24
At end of road, turn left onto SR 25
31 mi
·
39 min
·
Hoosier Heartland Highway
25
Enter roundabout onto SR 25
237 ft
·
6 sec
·
Hoosier Heartland Highway
26
Continue on SR 25
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Hoosier Heartland Highway
27
Continue on Schuyler Avenue
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Schuyler Avenue
28
Turn left onto North 18th Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North 18th Street
29
Turn left onto South Street
494 ft
·
13 sec
·
South Street
30
Turn right onto Grant Street
34 ft
·
1 sec
·
Grant Street
31
Turn right onto Douglas Street
165 ft
·
12 sec
·
Douglas Street
32
Turn left
184 ft
·
13 sec
33
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 59.6 miles from Ligonier, IN, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.9 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 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.6 miles or 1h 29m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lafayette, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ligonier, 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 Ligonier, IN
This is one driving day of about 119.3 miles and 2h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ligonier, 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 Hoosier Heartland Highway for about 31.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.6 mi from Ligonier, IN · 1h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 59.6 miles from Ligonier, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lafayette, IN
The final approach into Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, 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
$18.65 one way
$37.30 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.48 | $40.96 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.96 | $45.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.34 | $52.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.8 | 0 | $12.53 | $5.73 |
| Efficient EV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.44 | $4.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.7 | 0 | $16.70 | $7.64 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Lafayette, IN
Morning in Lafayette on Wednesday
Local time
8:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°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
24 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 54m 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 Ligonier, IN to Lafayette, IN covers 119.3 miles and takes about 2h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Hoosier Heartland Highway, South Zimmer Road, Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.6 miles from Ligonier, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.65 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 is a straightforward 2h 54m drive. You will face about 21 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 5 / North Cavin Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (Lincolnway West): Navigation decision point; at 79.7 miles (High Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Ligonier, IN to Lafayette, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Lafayette, IN
More trips to Lafayette, IN
Explore more options from Ligonier, IN or browse trips ending in Lafayette, IN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IN road trips.
Explore maps for Ligonier, IN or Lafayette, IN on MapSof.net.