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Trip from Union City, IN to Terre Haute, IN

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 39m

Distance

177.1 mi

285 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 27m ★
6 AM
3h 39m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 48m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 49m
5 PM
4h 3m
8 PM
3h 32m

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

Downtown Union City, IN, IN

Union City, IN

Matt Fitz Gibaud

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

Terre Haute, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Union City, IN to Terre Haute, IN covers 177.1 miles and takes about 3h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 70, North 800 East, South 200 E for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 143.7 miles on I 70. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.69 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

88.5 miles from Union City, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 39m. Total distance: 177.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 39m highway drive covering 177.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 70 and North 800 East. The longest continuous stretch is about 143.7 miles on I 70.

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 143.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and North 800 East. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near North Jackson Pike.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Union City, IN to Terre Haute, IN is easy. At 3h 39m with 85% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (North Jackson Pike): Navigation decision point; at 11.4 miles (US 36): Navigation decision point; at 30.7 miles (I 70; US 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

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

3
0.8 mi into trip | ~3m in | North Jackson Pike

Turn left onto North Jackson Pike

Navigation decision point

3
11.4 mi into trip | ~23m in | US 36

Turn right onto US 36

Navigation decision point

5
30.7 mi into trip | ~48m in | I 70; US 35

Merge onto I 70; US 35

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

Use the straight lane.
8
100.6 mi into trip | ~2h 10m in | I 70

Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 toward I 70: St Louis, Indianapolis International Airport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 70: St Louis, Indianapolis Internation...
6
174.4 mi into trip | ~3h 33m in

Take the exit toward US 41, US 150: Terre Haute, Evansville

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

Exit 7 Toward US 41, US 150: Terre Haute, Evansville

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

On the drive from Union City, IN to Terre Haute, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Indianapolis International Airport along the way.

Indianapolis International Airport

100.6 mi in | ~2h 10m | via I 70

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 70 143.7 mi 2h 45m
North 800 East 9.1 mi 15m
South 200 E 6 mi 6m
US 36 6 mi 8m
Chester Boulevard 5.3 mi 6m
South 3rd Street 2.4 mi 5m
North Main Street 1 mi 1m
West Division Street 0.8 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 70 — 143.7 mi, about 2h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West Division Street

0.8 mi · 3 min · West Division Street
2

Turn left onto North Jackson Pike

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Jackson Pike
3

Turn straight onto SR 32

0.8 mi · 3 min · West Chestnut Street
4

Continue on SR 227

9.1 mi · 15 min · North 800 East
5

Turn right onto US 36

6.0 mi · 8 min · US 36
6

Turn left onto US 27

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
7

Continue on US 27

6.0 mi · 6 min · South 200 E
8

Continue on US 27

0.7 mi · 51 sec · Chester Blvd
9

Continue on US 27

5.3 mi · 6 min · Chester Boulevard
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
11

Merge onto I 70; US 35

70 mi · 1 hr 22 min · I 70; US 35
Use the straight lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 70

74 mi · 1 hr 22 min · I 70
Toward I 70: St Louis, Indianapolis International Airport Use the slight right lane.
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 7 Toward US 41, US 150: Terre Haute, Evansville
14

Turn right onto US 41; US 150

2.4 mi · 5 min · South 3rd Street
15

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 88.5 miles from Union City, IN, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.7 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 39 miles or 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 88.5 miles or 1h 56m 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 1m

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 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 177.1 miles and 3h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 I 70 for about 143.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 88.5 mi from Union City, IN · 1h 56m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Indianapolis, IN

89 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.

Popular next leg

Indianapolis, IN to Terre Haute, IN

76.7 mi · 1h 31m

Pacing Suggestions

Richmond, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Indianapolis, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 88.5 miles from Union City, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 143.7 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.

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.69 one way

$55.38 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 62 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $30.40 $60.80
premium $4.89 $34.08 $68.16
diesel $5.61 $39.10 $78.20

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 62 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 53.1 0 $18.60 $8.50
Efficient EV 44.3 0 $15.50 $7.08
EV Truck/SUV 70.8 0 $24.79 $11.33

Gas CO2

62 kg

EV CO2

21 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Union City, IN

Afternoon in Union City on Thursday

Local time

3:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Terre Haute, IN

Afternoon in Terre Haute on Thursday

Local time

3:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

68°F

Mostly Cloudy

SSW 14 mph 13% chance 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

3 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

3h 39m 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 Terre Haute, IN covers 177.1 miles and takes about 3h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70, North 800 East, South 200 E. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 88.5 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 $27.69 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Union City, IN to Terre Haute, IN is easy. At 3h 39m with 85% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (North Jackson Pike): Navigation decision point; at 11.4 miles (US 36): Navigation decision point; at 30.7 miles (I 70; US 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Union City, IN to Terre Haute, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Indianapolis International Airport along the way.

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