Origin
Pendleton, IN
Night in Pendleton on Thursday
Local time
9:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pendleton, IN to Fort Wayne, IN
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 46m
Distance
94.3 mi
152 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 38m
★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 2m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 52m
5 PM
2h 1m
8 PM
1h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pendleton, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 94.3-mile drive from Pendleton, Indiana to Fort Wayne, Indiana takes about 1 hour and 46 minutes, making it a perfect single-day trip. You'll spend 95% of your time on highways, so expect a quick and efficient journey. The estimated fuel cost is around $15, which is quite budget-friendly for this distance. As both locations are within the Midwest region, the scenery will likely reflect the familiar, rolling landscapes of Indiana. This route is ideal for a spontaneous day trip or as a convenient leg of a larger Midwest adventure.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.1 miles from Pendleton, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 94.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
The character of this drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 95% of the 94.3 miles utilizing major roads like I-69 and SR 9. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 86.1 miles on I-69, indicating a consistent and fast-paced journey for the majority of your trip. While the route is primarily highway, the inclusion of SR 9 and E 700 S suggests brief transitions that might offer a slightly different road feel. Overall, anticipate a smooth and direct drive with minimal technicality.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 86.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and SR 9. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Pendleton Avenue.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Pendleton, IN to Fort Wayne, IN is easy. At 1h 46m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Pendleton Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (East State Street): Navigation decision point; at 93.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 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
|
South Pendleton Avenue
Turn left onto South Pendleton Avenue
Navigation decision point
3
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
East State Street
Turn right onto East State Street
Navigation decision point
5
93.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward Coldwater Road South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 312A
Toward Coldwater Road South
6
93.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
Coldwater Road
Turn right onto Coldwater Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
4
93.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
East Washington Center Road
Turn left onto East Washington Center Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 69 | 86.1 mi | 1h 33m |
| SR 9 | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| E 700 S | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| East State Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| South Pendleton Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Washington Center Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Coldwater Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Dartmouth Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 86.1 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pendleton, IN and Fort Wayne, IN.
1
Start on West Madison Avenue
50 ft
·
5 sec
·
West Madison Avenue
2
Turn left onto South Pendleton Avenue
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
South Pendleton Avenue
3
Turn right onto East State Street
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
East State Street
4
Turn left onto US 36; SR 9; SR 38; SR 67
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
E 700 S
5
Take the ramp onto SR 9; SR 67
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
SR 9; SR 67
6
Continue on I 69; SR 67
76 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
I 69; SR 67
7
Continue on I 69; US 24; US 33
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
I 69; US 24; US 33
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 69; US 24; US 30; US 33
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
I 69; US 24; US 30; US 33
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 312A
Toward Coldwater Road South
10
Turn right onto Coldwater Road
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Coldwater Road
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto East Washington Center Road
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Washington Center Road
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto Dartmouth Drive
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Dartmouth Drive
13
Arrive at destination
Dartmouth Drive
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of under two hours, this 94.3-mile trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive in Fort Wayne with plenty of time for activities, or head out in the afternoon. With such a short drive and a low fuel cost of approximately $15, extensive planning isn't necessary. However, be aware that your longest stretch is 86.1 miles on I-69, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment to avoid any unscheduled stops. There are no designated stops in the data, so plan for personal breaks as needed.
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 47.1 miles from Pendleton, IN, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.1 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 21 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.1 miles or 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Wayne, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pendleton, IN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pendleton, IN
This is one driving day of about 94.3 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Pendleton, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 69 for about 86.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47.1 mi from Pendleton, IN · 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 47.1 miles from Pendleton, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 69 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.1 miles.
Arriving in Fort Wayne, IN
The final approach into Fort Wayne, IN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.74 one way
$29.49 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.19 | $32.37 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.15 | $36.29 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.82 | $41.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.3 | 0 | $9.90 | $4.53 |
| Efficient EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.25 | $3.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.7 | 0 | $13.20 | $6.04 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Fort Wayne, IN
Night in Fort Wayne on Thursday
Local time
9:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Van Buren, IN
47 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
18 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
1h 46m 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 Pendleton, IN to Fort Wayne, IN covers 94.3 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 69, SR 9, E 700 S. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 47.1 miles from Pendleton, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.74 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.
The drive from Pendleton, IN to Fort Wayne, IN is easy. At 1h 46m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Pendleton Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (East State Street): Navigation decision point; at 93.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Pendleton, IN to Fort Wayne, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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