Skip to main content

Trip from Smith, IN to Terre Haute, IN

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 9m

Distance

198.5 mi

319 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
3h 56m ★
6 AM
4h 9m
8 AM
4h 36m
10 AM
4h 18m
12 PM
4h 16m
3 PM
4h 20m
5 PM
4h 34m
8 PM
4h 1m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Smith, IN, IN

Smith, IN

Frank van Dijk

city and county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States

Terre Haute, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Smith, IN to Terre Haute, IN covers 198.5 miles and takes about 4h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on SR 63, US 41, Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 63.4 miles on SR 63. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.03 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

99.2 miles from Smith, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 198.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 4h 9m highway drive covering 198.5 miles, with most of the trip on SR 63 and US 41. The longest continuous stretch is about 63.4 miles on SR 63.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
SR 63 is the longest continuous segment at about 63.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on SR 63 and US 41. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.5 miles in near I 94.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 198.5 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 9.5 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
9.5 mi into trip | ~16m in | I 94

Merge onto I 94

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
36.8 mi into trip | ~46m in

Take the exit toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, Indianapolis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 12 Toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, Indianapolis
6
37.4 mi into trip | ~47m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South, I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Indianapolis, Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 65 South, I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 W...
7
37.5 mi into trip | ~47m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Indianapolis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 65 South: Indianapolis
7
76.5 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in

Take the exit toward SR 14: Winamac

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 220 Toward SR 14: Winamac

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Smith, IN and Terre Haute, IN, road signs point toward Indianapolis and Chicago.

Indianapolis

36.8 mi in | ~46m

Chicago

37.4 mi in | ~47m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
SR 63 63.4 mi 1h 20m
US 41 48.9 mi 1h 3m
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway 38.5 mi 42m
I 94 27.3 mi 30m
State Road 14 9.2 mi 12m
US Highway 20 6.9 mi 9m
North Fail Road 2.4 mi 5m
North 3rd Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: SR 63 — 63.4 mi, about 1h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Smith, IN and Terre Haute, IN.

1

Start on North Fail Road

2.4 mi · 5 min · North Fail Road
2

Turn right onto US 20

6.9 mi · 9 min · US Highway 20
3

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 94 West: Chicago
4

Merge onto I 94

27 mi · 30 min · I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 51 sec
Exit 12 Toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, Indianapolis Use the slight right lane.
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 9 sec
Toward I 65 South, I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Indianapolis, Chicago
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 59 sec
Toward I 65 South: Indianapolis Use the slight left lane.
8

Merge onto I 65

38 mi · 42 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 46 sec
Exit 220 Toward SR 14: Winamac Use the slight right lane.
10

Turn right onto SR 14

9.2 mi · 12 min · State Road 14
11

Turn left onto US 41

26 mi · 32 min · US 41
12

Keep slight left at fork onto US 41

22 mi · 26 min · US 41
13

Continue on SR 63

63 mi · 1 hr 20 min · SR 63
14

Continue on US 41

1.9 mi · 4 min · US 41
15

Continue on US 41; US 150

132 ft · 11 sec · North 3rd Street
16

Arrive at destination

US 41; US 150

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 99.2 miles from Smith, IN, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.4 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 44 miles or 54m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 99.2 miles or 2h 1m 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 21m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Terre Haute, IN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Smith, 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 Smith, IN

This is one driving day of about 198.5 miles and 4h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Smith, 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 SR 63 for about 63.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 99.2 mi from Smith, IN · 2h 1m into the drive

Downtown Orland Park, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Orland Park, IL

99 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

Chicago, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Clifton, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 99.2 miles from Smith, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before SR 63 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.4 miles.

Arriving in Terre Haute, IN

The final approach into Terre Haute, 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 Terre Haute, 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

$31.03 one way

$62.07 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 70 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $34.07 $68.15
premium $4.89 $38.20 $76.40
diesel $5.61 $43.83 $87.65

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 69.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 59.6 0 $20.84 $9.53
Efficient EV 49.6 0 $17.37 $7.94
EV Truck/SUV 79.4 0 $27.79 $12.70

Gas CO2

69 kg

EV CO2

23 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Smith, IN

Morning in Smith on Thursday

Local time

11:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Terre Haute, IN

Afternoon in Terre Haute on Thursday

Local time

12:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°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

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

5 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

4h 9m 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 Smith, IN to Terre Haute, IN covers 198.5 miles and takes about 4h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are SR 63, US 41, Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 99.2 miles from Smith, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.03 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 9 significant decision points across 198.5 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 9.5 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Smith, IN and Terre Haute, IN, road signs point toward Indianapolis and Chicago.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Terre Haute, IN to Smith, IN

Plan the drive back the other way.

198.4 mi 4h 9m

Explore more options from Smith, IN or browse trips ending in Terre Haute, IN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IN road trips.

Explore maps for Smith, IN or Terre Haute, IN on MapSof.net.