Origin
Union City, IN
Afternoon in Union City on Thursday
Local time
12:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Union City, IN to Lafayette, IN
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 58m
Distance
119 mi
191 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 47m
★
6 AM
2h 59m
8 AM
3h 21m
10 AM
3h 7m
12 PM
3h 4m
3 PM
3h 8m
5 PM
3h 20m
8 PM
2h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Union City, IN
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Lafayette, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Union City, IN to Lafayette, IN covers 119 miles and takes about 2h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West 2nd Street, I 65, West Deerfield Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 16 miles on West 2nd Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.60 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
59.5 miles from Union City, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 58m. Total distance: 119 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (12%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 58m drive with frequent turns across 119 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West 2nd Street is the longest continuous segment at about 16 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,123 ft
691 ft
Total Climb
75 ft
Total Descent
498 ft
Highest Point
1,123 ft
Elevation Range
432 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 73.1 miles in near SR 28 / West 200 South.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 58m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 73.1 miles (SR 28 / West 200 South): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 73.3 miles (SR 28 / West 200 South): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 87.2 miles (US 421; SR 28): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
73.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
|
SR 28 / West 200 South
Enter roundabout onto SR 28 / West 200 South
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
73.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
|
SR 28 / West 200 South
Enter roundabout onto SR 28 / West 200 South
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
87.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
|
US 421; SR 28
At end of road, turn right onto US 421; SR 28
Navigation decision point
6
115.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m 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
5
119 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West 2nd Street | 16 mi | 25m |
| I 65 | 13.7 mi | 15m |
| West Deerfield Road | 13.3 mi | 19m |
| East County Road 600 North | 10 mi | 14m |
| East 600 North | 10 mi | 14m |
| West 200 South | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| County Road 100 South | 7.8 mi | 11m |
| Walnut Avenue | 7.3 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
West 2nd Street
— 16 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union City, IN and Lafayette, IN.
1
Start on West Division Street
38 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Division Street
2
Turn left onto SR 28
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Columbia Street
3
Continue on SR 28
13 mi
·
19 min
·
West Deerfield Road
4
Turn left onto SR 28
16 mi
·
25 min
·
West 2nd Street
5
Turn right onto SR 28
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
East County Road 600 North
6
Continue on US 35; SR 28
10.0 mi
·
14 min
·
East 600 North
7
Continue on US 35; SR 28
7.3 mi
·
10 min
·
East County Road 600 North
8
Continue on SR 28
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
1200 North
9
Continue on SR 28
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
10
Continue on SR 28
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East 150 South
11
Continue on SR 28
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
State Road 28
12
Continue on SR 28
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
East 150 South
13
Continue on SR 28
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on West Old State Road 28
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Old State Road 28
15
Continue on West 200 South
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
West 200 South
16
Enter roundabout onto West 200 South
93 ft
·
1 sec
·
West 200 South
17
Continue on West 200 South
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
West 200 South
18
Enter roundabout onto SR 28
136 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 200 South
19
Continue on SR 28
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
West 200 South
20
Enter roundabout onto SR 28
160 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 200 South
21
Continue on SR 28
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
West 200 South
22
Continue on SR 28
7.8 mi
·
11 min
·
County Road 100 South
23
At end of road, turn right onto US 421; SR 28
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
US 421; SR 28
24
Turn left onto US 421; SR 28
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East County Road 50 South
25
Continue on US 421; SR 28
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
East Wabash Street
26
Turn slight right
215 ft
·
4 sec
27
Turn slight right onto US 421; SR 28
179 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Hoke Avenue
28
Turn left onto US 421; SR 28
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East Walnut Street
29
Turn straight onto SR 28
7.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Walnut Avenue
30
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
31
Merge onto I 65
14 mi
·
15 min
·
I 65
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 172
Toward SR 26: Lafayette, Rossville
33
Turn left onto SR 26
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
SR 26
34
Continue on South Street
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
South Street
35
Turn slight left onto Jackson Street
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Jackson Street
36
Turn right
178 ft
·
13 sec
37
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 59.5 miles from Union City, IN, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16 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 26 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.5 miles or 1h 31m 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 29m
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 Union City, 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 Union City, IN
This is one driving day of about 119 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Union City, 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 West 2nd Street for about 16 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.5 mi from Union City, IN · 1h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.5 miles from Union City, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.60 one way
$37.21 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.43 | $40.85 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.90 | $45.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.27 | $52.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.7 | 0 | $12.49 | $5.71 |
| Efficient EV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.41 | $4.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.6 | 0 | $16.66 | $7.62 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Lafayette, IN
Afternoon in Lafayette on Thursday
Local time
12:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 mph
43% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 3:33AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 3:33AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
73°F
Elwood, IN
60 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
6 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
2h 58m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Union City, IN to Lafayette, IN covers 119 miles and takes about 2h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West 2nd Street, I 65, West Deerfield Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.5 miles from Union City, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.60 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 58m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 73.1 miles (SR 28 / West 200 South): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 73.3 miles (SR 28 / West 200 South): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 87.2 miles (US 421; SR 28): Navigation decision point.
The route from Union City, IN to Lafayette, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 691 ft to 1,123 ft elevation with about 75 ft of total climbing.
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