Origin
Pendleton, IN
Evening in Pendleton on Sunday
Local time
7:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
2h 43m
Distance
142.2 mi
229 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pendleton, IN
Yaroslav Shuraev
Jeffersonville, IN
Anthony Stewart
Spanning 142.2 miles, this drive from Pendleton to Jeffersonville is a straightforward journey through the heart of Indiana. Expect to spend approximately 2 hours and 43 minutes behind the wheel, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of about $22, it is a cost-effective way to traverse the state from north to south. You will primarily navigate via I-69 and I-65, which provide a reliable and efficient corridor between these two Midwest locations. Because the trip is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule.
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
71.1 miles from Pendleton, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
This is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of your travel occurring on major interstates. You will settle into a steady rhythm on the road, particularly during the longest stretch of 100.8 miles spent exclusively on I-65. While the route involves a brief transition onto South Emerson Avenue, the vast majority of your time is spent maintaining high speeds on multi-lane highways. Do not expect technical twists or rural backroads; instead, prepare for a consistent, functional drive that favors efficiency over scenic exploration. It is a predictable experience that lets you cover significant ground without the fatigue of navigating complex secondary roads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 142.2 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 1.9 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 19 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Emerson Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 31 South: Jeffersonville, Clarksville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 100.8 mi | 1h 48m |
| I 69 | 33.2 mi | 37m |
| South Emerson Avenue | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| West State Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| US 31 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Southport Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South Pendleton Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| State Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Pendleton, IN and Jeffersonville, IN.
Start on West Madison Avenue
Turn left onto South Pendleton Avenue
Turn left onto West State Street
Enter roundabout onto State Street
Continue on State Street
Enter roundabout
Continue
Enter roundabout
Continue
Merge onto I 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
Continue on I 69
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight onto South Emerson Avenue
Turn right onto East Southport Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 31
Turn slight right
Continue on East 10th Street
Turn right onto Wall Street
Turn left onto East 8th Street
Turn right onto Watt Street
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 2-hour and 43-minute journey, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route is heavily concentrated on high-speed interstates, keep a close eye on traffic patterns, especially as you approach the more populated regions near your destination. Leaving during off-peak hours can help you avoid potential congestion on the main highway corridors. Given the $22 fuel estimate, it is wise to fill up before you head out to ensure you aren't forced to stop at higher-priced stations along the interstate. Keep your planned stop flexible, as it provides a necessary break during the long, uninterrupted 100.8-mile stretch on I-65.
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.
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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.1 miles or 1h 23m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jeffersonville, IN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Pendleton, 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 Pendleton, IN
This is one driving day of about 142.2 miles and 2h 43m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.1 mi from Pendleton, IN · 1h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 71.1 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 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.8 miles.
The final approach into Jeffersonville, 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 Jeffersonville, 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.
Regular Gas
$21.60 one way
$43.20 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $23.81 | $47.62 |
| premium | $4.80 | $26.84 | $53.69 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $31.59 | $63.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.7 | 0 | $14.93 | $6.83 |
| Efficient EV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.44 | $5.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.9 | 0 | $19.91 | $9.10 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Pendleton on Sunday
Local time
7:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Jeffersonville on Sunday
Local time
7:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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