Summer Road Trips in Indiana
Routes
30
Avg Distance
369 mi
Avg Drive
7h 3m
Destinations
28
Indiana in the summer offers a variety of driving experiences, from quick day trips to cross-state explorations. With 30 routes averaging 369 miles and taking about 423 minutes, you can find adventures suited to any schedule. The state's terrain is largely flat, with maximum elevations around 1,000 feet on many routes, making for smooth driving. EV chargers are readily available on some longer hauls, ensuring a convenient trip.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$4.22/gal
Diesel: $5.35/gal
Typical trip cost
$45–$377
One-way, ~369 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~129 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-06-01
Climate through the year: Indiana
Indiana peaks at around 85°F in Jul and cools to 36°F / 21°F in Jan. Wettest month is Jun at ~5 in of rain. Table highlights Summer months.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain in | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36 | 21 | 3.1 | 8.8 |
| Feb | 41 | 24 | 2.4 | 6 |
| Mar | 52 | 33 | 3.7 | 3.2 |
| Apr | 64 | 43 | 4.3 | 0.2 |
| May | 73 | 54 | 4.8 | — |
| Jun peak | 82 | 63 | 5 | — |
| Jul peak | 85 | 66 | 4.4 | — |
| Aug peak | 84 | 65 | 3.2 | — |
| Sep | 78 | 57 | 3.1 | — |
| Oct | 66 | 46 | 3.2 | 0.1 |
| Nov | 52 | 35 | 3.5 | 0.8 |
| Dec | 40 | 26 | 2.9 | 6.4 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for IN — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.
Planning Tips
- Carry extra water — summer heat in the car and at rest stops dehydrates faster than you think.
- Start drives early or late to avoid peak afternoon heat, especially through desert or plains stretches.
- Check your tire pressure before long summer drives — hot pavement increases blowout risk with underinflated tires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summer Routes
Editor's pick
Indianapolis, IN → Oakland, CA
Through: Rock Island → Omaha Nebraska → Omaha +3 more
This cross-country route, scoring a 7, presents significant mountain driving and elevation changes up to 8,407 feet, offering a dramatic contrast to Indiana's typical landscape.
Editor's pick
Fremont, IN → Evansville, IN
A solid choice with a drive score of 8, this route covers 341 miles of mostly flat terrain and boasts excellent EV coverage with 20 DC fast chargers.
Editor's pick
Prairie, IN → South Bend, IN
Achieving a perfect drive score of 10, this 338-mile trip navigates mostly flat terrain and includes access to parks, making it an ideal summer excursion.
Bristol, IN → Evansville, IN
Through: Indianapolis
Portage, IN → Boonville, IN
Evansville, IN → Mishawaka, IN
City of Gary, IN → Newburgh, IN
Evansville, IN → LaPorte, IN
Through: Brookston → Lake Shafer → Lake Freeman
Evansville, IN → Nappanee, IN
Through: Bremen
Cannelton, IN → Hammond, IN
Evansville, IN → Harlan, IN
Monrovia, IN → Cuba, MO
Through: Saint Louis → Memphis → Kansas City
South Bend, IN → Melody Hill, IN
Evansville, IN → Grabill, IN
Evansville, IN → Goshen, IN
Gary, IN → Troy, IN
Through: Crane
South Bend, IN → Troy, IN
Through: Crane
South Bend, IN → Owensville, IN
Evansville, IN → Westville, IN
Through: Brookston → Lake Shafer → Lake Freeman
Evansville, IN → Long Beach, IN
Through: Chicago → Detroit
Portage, IN → Santa Claus, IN
Through: Crane
Evansville, IN → Plymouth, IN
Portage, IN → Corydon, IN
City of Gary, IN → Scottsburg, IN
Through: Jasper
Evansville, IN → Preble, IN
Through: Markle
Portage, IN → Ferdinand, IN
Through: Crane
Evansville, IN → Aboite, IN
Jeffersonville, IN → Whiting, IN
Evansville, IN → Pershing, IN
Jeffersonville, IN → Chesterton, IN
Through: Detroit