Summer Road Trips in Indiana
Routes
30
Avg Distance
382 mi
Avg Drive
7h 19m
Destinations
16
Indiana in the summer offers a variety of driving experiences, from extensive cross-country treks to more focused state explorations. With 30 routes averaging 382 miles and nearly 7 hours, you can cover significant ground. Expect mostly flat terrain with max elevations around 1,054 feet on average, and excellent EV charging coverage on many trips, with some routes featuring up to 24 DC fast chargers. Summer daylight hours are generous for longer drives.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$3.75/gal
Diesel: $4.80/gal
Typical trip cost
$45–$335
One-way, ~382 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~134 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-07-13
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 is your epic cross-country adventure, stretching 2,269 miles. It boasts a drive score of 7 and navigates mountain driving with significant elevation changes, topping out at 8,407 feet.
Editor's pick
Fremont, IN → Evansville, IN
A solid 341-mile drive with a high drive score of 8, this route is mostly highway, traversing flat terrain. It offers excellent EV coverage and includes 21 DC fast chargers.
Editor's pick
Prairie, IN → South Bend, IN
This 338-mile trip earns a perfect drive score of 10. It's primarily a highway route through flat landscapes and features excellent EV infrastructure with 24 DC fast chargers.
Bristol, IN → Evansville, IN
Through: Indianapolis
Lagrange, IN → Evansville, IN
Dunlap, IN → Evansville, IN
Through: Indianapolis
Granger, IN → Evansville, IN
Through: Indianapolis
Olive, IN → Evansville, IN
Osceola, IN → Evansville, IN
Portage, IN → Boonville, IN
Evansville, IN → Mishawaka, IN
City of Gary, IN → Newburgh, IN
Wakarusa, IN → Evansville, IN
Evansville, IN → LaPorte, IN
Through: Brookston → Lake Shafer → Lake Freeman
South Bend, IN → Center, IN
South Bend, IN → Evansville, IN
Locke, IN → Evansville, IN
Newburgh, IN → South Bend, IN
Evansville, IN → Nappanee, IN
Through: Bremen
Cannelton, IN → Hammond, IN
Portage, IN → Saint John, IN
Monroeville, IN → Evansville, IN
Evansville, IN → Harlan, IN
Skelton, IN → South Bend, IN
Woodburn, IN → Evansville, 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
Darmstadt, IN → South Bend, IN