If you are planning a journey from Alaska to Vincennes, Indiana, you are looking at a straightforward 100.1-mile trek through the heart of the Midwest. Expect the drive to take approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. You will primarily navigate via US 41, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, and SR 46 during your transit. With an estimated fuel cost of about $15, the route is quite budget-friendly for a quick getaway. Because the entire journey stays within Indiana, you will enjoy a consistent regional feel without the need to plan for major climate or time zone shifts. It is a manageable distance that allows for plenty of flexibility in your travel schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.1 miles from Alaska, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 41
50.6 mi
1h 2m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
29 mi
31m
SR 46
5.7 mi
6m
State Road 42
5.5 mi
9m
South Main Street
2.2 mi
4m
North Bowman Road
1.3 mi
4m
County Road 500 N
1.2 mi
2m
Lewisville Road
1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 41
— 50.6 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alaska, IN and Vincennes, IN.
1
Start on Lewisville Road
1.0 mi·3 min·Lewisville Road
2
Turn right onto North Bowman Road
1.3 mi·4 min·North Bowman Road
3
Continue on County Road 1250 West
1.0 mi·3 min·County Road 1250 West
4
Turn left onto SR 42
1.2 mi·2 min·County Road 500 N
5
Continue on SR 42
0.2 mi·28 sec·North Patrick Road
6
Turn right onto SR 42
5.5 mi·9 min·State Road 42
7
Turn right onto US 231
0.3 mi·28 sec·S Main St
8
Continue on US 231
2.2 mi·4 min·South Main Street
9
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
10
Merge onto I 70
29 mi·31 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·25 sec
Exit 11A-BToward US 40 East, SR 641 South, SR 46
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·38 sec
Exit 11BToward US 40 East, SR 46 West
13
Turn straight onto US 40; SR 46
479 ft·16 sec·US 40; SR 46
14
Continue on US 40; SR 46
0.3 mi·38 sec·US 40; SR 46
Use the left lane.
15
Turn straight onto SR 46; SR 641
5.7 mi·6 min·SR 46; SR 641
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
17
Merge onto US 41; US 150
51 mi·1 hr 2 min·US 41; US 150
18
Arrive at destination
US 41 Business
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip with no mandatory stops, you have the advantage of total control over your departure time. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to ensure your 2-hour and 14-minute travel estimate remains accurate and uninterrupted. Because your fuel budget is quite modest at $15, you can easily handle the transit on a single tank without extensive planning. Keep in mind that since there are no designated stops on this route, you should handle all refueling and rest breaks before merging onto the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Use the flexibility of this 100.1-mile drive to your advantage by adjusting your departure to match your personal energy levels rather than a strict itinerary.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 50.1 miles from Alaska, IN, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.6 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 22 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.1 miles or 1h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vincennes, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alaska, 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 Alaska, IN
This is one driving day of about 100.1 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Alaska, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 41 for about 50.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 42.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
3.3 mi into trip|~12m in|SR 42 / County Road 500 N
Turn left onto SR 42 / County Road 500 N
Navigation decision point
4
4.7 mi into trip|~15m in|SR 42 / State Road 42
Turn right onto SR 42 / State Road 42
Navigation decision point
6
42 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward US 40 East, SR 641 South, SR 46
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 11A-B
Toward US 40 East, SR 641 South, SR 46
7
42.2 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 40 East, SR 46 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 11B
Toward US 40 East, SR 46 West
5
42.8 mi into trip|~1h 2m in|US 40; SR 46
Continue onto US 40; SR 46
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.65 one way
$31.30 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.18
$34.37
premium
$4.89
$19.26
$38.53
diesel
$5.61
$22.10
$44.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30
0
$10.51
$4.80
Efficient EV
25
0
$8.76
$4.00
EV Truck/SUV
40
0
$14.01
$6.41
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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 20, 2026
Origin
Alaska, IN
Morning
in Alaska on Tuesday
Local time
9:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Vincennes, IN
Morning
in Vincennes on Tuesday
Local time
9:00 AM
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
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
2h 14m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 100.1-mile trip offers a mixed driving profile that keeps the experience varied behind the wheel. About 57 percent of your time will be spent on highways, providing a blend of steady cruising and localized travel. You will face your longest uninterrupted stretch on US 41, which spans 50.6 miles of the total distance. As you transition between the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and SR 46, the road dynamics shift from high-speed arterial lanes to more standard regional thoroughfares. You should be prepared for this alternating pace, as the route requires you to stay alert through both high-traffic highway sections and tighter, more conventional roadway segments.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.6 mi on US 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in near SR 42 / County Road 500 N.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 100.1 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles (SR 42 / County Road 500 N): Navigation decision point; at 4.7 miles (SR 42 / State Road 42): Navigation decision point; at 42 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Alaska is by far the largest state of the United States by land area. Nicknamed "the last frontier", Alaska is sparsely populated with a harsh climate but incredible scenery. Separated from the "lower 48" by Canada, Alaska can be a challenging destination; most of the state is in the Arctic. Besides vast forests and frozen tundra, Alaska contains the ten highest mountain peaks in the United States, including Denali, the highest in all of North America.
Vincennes is a city in Southwestern Indiana. Vincennes is the oldest town in Indiana. It was founded in 1732 as a French fur trading post. The city's history is unique compared to any other Midwestern town, and the historical relevance is plentiful. The nice thing about Vincennes is that things are close together, within blocks at times, and cheap. You can eat, drink and learn on a very small budget.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 100.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.6 miles on US 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Vincennes, IN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles (SR 42 / County Road 500 N): Navigation decision point; at 4.7 miles (SR 42 / State Road 42): Navigation decision point; at 42 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Vincennes, IN before heading back.
