The drive from Newburgh, IN to Lafayette, IN covers 225.9 miles and takes about 4h 15m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 69, I 65, I 74 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 156 miles on I 69.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.32 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
112.9 miles from Newburgh, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 225.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 15m highway drive covering 225.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 69 and I 65. The longest continuous stretch is about 156 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 156 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near I 69.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 225.9 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 2.7 miles (I 69): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 158.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.4 miles (65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.7 mi into trip|~5m in|I 69
Merge onto I 69
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
158.8 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 163
Toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
6
169.4 mi into trip|~3h 9m in|65
Keep slight left at fork onto 65
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
173.3 mi into trip|~3h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 20
Toward I 65 North: Chicago
6
222.6 mi into trip|~4h 8m in
Take the exit toward SR 26: Lafayette, Rossville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 172
Toward SR 26: Lafayette, Rossville
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 69
156 mi
2h 50m
I 65
47.8 mi
52m
I 74
9.2 mi
10m
65
3.9 mi
4m
South Street
2.7 mi
5m
West State Route 662
2.1 mi
3m
West Jennings Street
0.4 mi
<1m
US 52
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 156 mi, about 2h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newburgh, IN and Lafayette, IN.
1
Start on West Jennings Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·West Jennings Street
2
Turn slight right onto West State Route 662
2.1 mi·3 min·West State Route 662
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
4
Merge onto I 69
156 mi·2 hr 50 min·I 69
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
1.4 mi·3 min
Exit 163Toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
6
Merge onto I 74; I 465
9.2 mi·10 min·I 74; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto 65
3.9 mi·4 min·65
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 20Toward I 65 North: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 65
18 mi·19 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 52
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 52
Exit 141Toward US 52 West
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
12
Merge onto I 65
30 mi·32 min·I 65
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 172Toward SR 26: Lafayette, Rossville
14
Turn left onto SR 26
0.2 mi·23 sec·SR 26
15
Continue on South Street
2.7 mi·5 min·South Street
16
Turn slight left onto Jackson Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·Jackson Street
17
Turn right
178 ft·13 sec
18
Arrive at destination
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 112.9 miles from Newburgh, IN, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156 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 50 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.9 miles or 2h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 27m
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 Newburgh, 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 Newburgh, IN
This is one driving day of about 225.9 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Newburgh, 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 156 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 112.9 mi from Newburgh, IN
· 2h 5m into the drive
The midpoint is around 112.9 miles from Newburgh, 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 156 miles.
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.
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The British flag would not be raised above Fort Sackville Feb. 25, 1779. At 10 A.M., the garrison surrendered to American Colonel George Rogers Clark. His American army, aided by French residents of t...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 46.7
Abraham Lincoln grew from youth to manhood on this southern Indiana soil. Many character and moral traits of one of the world's most respected leaders was formed and nurtured here. Explore Lincoln's b...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.32 one way
$70.63 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$38.78
$77.55
premium
$4.89
$43.47
$86.94
diesel
$5.61
$49.88
$99.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.8
0
$23.72
$10.84
Efficient EV
56.5
0
$19.77
$9.04
EV Truck/SUV
90.4
1
$31.63
$14.46
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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
Newburgh, IN
Morning
in Newburgh on Friday
Local time
9:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lafayette, IN
Morning
in Lafayette on Friday
Local time
10:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Bloomington, IN
113 mi in
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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
3 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
4h 15m 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 Newburgh, IN to Lafayette, IN covers 225.9 miles and takes about 4h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 69, I 65, I 74. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 112.9 miles from Newburgh, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.32 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 13 significant decision points across 225.9 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 2.7 miles (I 69): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 158.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.4 miles (65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Newburgh, IN to Lafayette, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include George Rogers Clark National Historical Park and Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
