Origin
Richmond, IN
Evening in Richmond on Sunday
Local time
8:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Richmond, IN to Indianapolis, IN
Drive Time
1h 30m
Distance
73 mi
117 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 24m
★
6 AM
1h 31m
8 AM
1h 45m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 34m
3 PM
1h 36m
5 PM
1h 44m
8 PM
1h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Richmond, IN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Connecting Richmond to Indianapolis, this 73-mile journey across the Indiana Midwest is a straightforward sprint that takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Given the manageable distance, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. You can expect to spend approximately $11 on fuel for the one-way trek. Since the path is entirely contained within Indiana, you will experience a consistent regional feel from start to finish. It is an efficient route designed for those who prioritize speed and simplicity over detours. Whether you are heading to the state capital for business or a quick getaway, this direct connection makes travel effortless.
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
36.5 miles from Richmond, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 43m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused drive as you navigate your way toward Indianapolis. With 93% of the journey spent on major roads, you will spend the vast majority of your time cruising on I-70. The route features a significant 67.6-mile uninterrupted stretch on the interstate, allowing you to settle into a steady pace quickly. You will transition from local roads like Chester Boulevard and East North Street before merging onto the main artery for the bulk of the trip. Overall, the experience is defined by its uniformity, providing a predictable and fast-paced environment for the driver.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 70 is the longest continuous segment at about 67.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and Chester Boulevard. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 27; SR 227 / North 9th Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 27; SR 227 / North 9th Street): Navigation decision point; at 70.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 27; SR 227 / North 9th Street
Turn right onto US 27; SR 227 / North 9th Street
Navigation decision point
6
70.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward Michigan Street, Ohio Street, Fletcher Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 83A
Toward Michigan Street, Ohio Street, Fletcher A...
8
71.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Michigan Street, New York Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Michigan Street, New York Street
7
71.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
|
East North Street
Keep slight right at fork onto East North Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
72.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
North Meridian Street
Turn left onto North Meridian Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 67.6 mi | 1h 19m |
| Chester Boulevard | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| East North Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| East Vermont Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Massachusetts Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North 9th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Meridian Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Monument Circle | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 67.6 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, IN and Indianapolis, IN.
1
Start on East Main Street
29 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 27; SR 227
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
North 9th Street
3
Continue on US 27; SR 227
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Chester Boulevard
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
5
Merge onto I 70; US 35
68 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
I 70; US 35
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 83A
Toward Michigan Street, Ohio Street, Fletcher Avenue
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward Michigan Street, New York Street
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto East North Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East North Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
·
Massachusetts Avenue
10
Turn right onto East Vermont Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East Vermont Street
11
Turn left onto North Meridian Street
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
·
North Meridian Street
Use the none lane.
12
Turn right onto Monument Circle
368 ft
·
46 sec
·
Monument Circle
13
Turn left
76 ft
·
6 sec
14
At end of road, turn right
257 ft
·
28 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip with zero scheduled stops, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. Aim to avoid peak rush hour traffic when entering the Indianapolis metro area to ensure you maintain that 1 hour and 30 minute travel time. Since the entire route is dominated by I-70, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before you leave Richmond to ensure you don't need to exit the interstate unnecessarily. Given the lack of required stops, consider this a "point-to-point" drive where your primary goal is steady momentum. Having your route mapped out before hitting the highway will help you transition smoothly from local streets onto the interstate without confusion.
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 36.5 miles from Richmond, IN, or about 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.6 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 73 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.5 miles or 43m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Indianapolis, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Richmond, 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 Richmond, IN
This is one driving day of about 73 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Richmond, 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 I 70 for about 67.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.5 mi from Richmond, IN · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.5 miles from Richmond, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.6 miles.
Arriving in Indianapolis, IN
The final approach into Indianapolis, 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 Indianapolis, 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
$11.09 one way
$22.18 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $12.22 | $24.45 |
| premium | $4.80 | $13.78 | $27.56 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $16.22 | $32.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.9 | 0 | $7.66 | $3.50 |
| Efficient EV | 18.3 | 0 | $6.39 | $2.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.22 | $4.67 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
Indianapolis, IN
Evening in Indianapolis on Sunday
Local time
8:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°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
2 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 30m 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 Richmond, IN to Indianapolis, IN covers 73 miles and takes about 1h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70, Chester Boulevard, East North Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.5 miles from Richmond, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.09 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 73 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 27; SR 227 / North 9th Street): Navigation decision point; at 70.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Richmond, IN to Indianapolis, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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