Origin
Albion, IN
Late night in Albion on Sunday
Local time
3:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Albion, IN to Carmel, IN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 38m
Distance
116.8 mi
188 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 28m
★
6 AM
2h 39m
8 AM
3h 0m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 44m
3 PM
2h 47m
5 PM
2h 59m
8 PM
2h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Albion, IN
Christopher Kirk
Carmel, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Albion, IN to Carmel, IN is 116.8 miles and takes about 2h 38m via South Strawtown Pike and SR 9, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Indiana, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a relatively short, one-day trip with a mixed driving profile, meaning you'll experience both faster highway sections and slower local roads. The reasonable distance and duration make it a convenient option for a quick getaway or a straightforward commute. Given the estimated fuel cost, it's an economical choice for a weekend excursion.
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
58.4 miles from Albion, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Strawtown Pike | 32.9 mi | 38m |
| SR 9 | 30.9 mi | 38m |
| South State Road 9 | 17.2 mi | 25m |
| North Baseline Road | 16.3 mi | 24m |
| SR 37 | 9.3 mi | 12m |
| East 146th Street | 5.5 mi | 9m |
| North Main Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Carey Road | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
South Strawtown Pike
— 32.9 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albion, IN and Carmel, IN.
1
Start on West 300 North
115 ft
·
7 sec
·
West 300 North
2
Turn right onto SR 9
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Orange Street
3
Continue on SR 9
16 mi
·
24 min
·
North Baseline Road
4
Continue on SR 9
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
5
Turn slight right onto SR 9; SR 205
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
River Street
6
Continue on SR 9
17 mi
·
25 min
·
South State Road 9
7
Take the ramp onto SR 9
31 mi
·
38 min
·
SR 9
8
Turn slight right onto SR 37
33 mi
·
38 min
·
South Strawtown Pike
9
Enter roundabout onto SR 37
105 ft
·
1 sec
·
SR 37
10
Continue on SR 37
9.3 mi
·
12 min
·
SR 37
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward 146th Street
12
Keep slight right at fork
501 ft
·
12 sec
Toward 146th Street West
13
Turn straight onto East 146th Street
5.5 mi
·
9 min
·
East 146th Street
14
Turn left onto Carey Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Carey Road
Use the left lane.
15
Enter roundabout onto Carey Road
69 ft
·
4 sec
·
Carey Road
16
Continue on Carey Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Carey Road
17
Enter roundabout onto East Smoky Row Road
12 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Smoky Row Road
18
Continue on East Smoky Row Road
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Smoky Row Road
19
Enter roundabout
475 ft
·
27 sec
20
Continue
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
21
Merge onto Keystone Parkway
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Keystone Parkway
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
Toward Main Street
Use the slight right lane.
23
Enter roundabout onto East Main Street
22 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Main Street
24
Continue on East Main Street
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
East Main Street
25
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
For this 116.8-mile journey, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and make the most of the 2h 38m estimated drive time. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $18, you have a lot of flexibility. You could easily complete this in one day without needing an overnight stay. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before the longest stretch of 32.9 miles on South Strawtown Pike, as services might be more spread out in certain sections. Consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and grab a snack.
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 58.4 miles from Albion, IN, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.9 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.4 miles or 1h 22m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carmel, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Albion, 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 Albion, IN
This is one driving day of about 116.8 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Albion, 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 South Strawtown Pike for about 32.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 58.4 miles from Albion, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 109 and 116.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
109 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 146th Street West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward 146th Street West
6
114.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
|
Carey Road
Turn left onto Carey Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
115.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
116.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward Main Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Main Street
5
116.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
|
East Main Street
Enter roundabout onto East Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.26 one way
$36.52 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.05 | $40.10 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.48 | $44.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.79 | $51.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35 | 0 | $12.26 | $5.61 |
| Efficient EV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.22 | $4.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.7 | 0 | $16.35 | $7.48 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Carmel, IN
Late night in Carmel on Sunday
Local time
3:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
S 2 to 12 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 6:01AM CDT until April 17 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 16 at 9:34PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
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
33 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 38m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with about 35% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches on South Strawtown Pike, including one continuous segment of 32.9 miles. The drive transitions between more direct, potentially faster roads like SR 9 and South State Road 9, and potentially slower, more winding local roads. Expect a varied pace, with some sections allowing for steady progress and others requiring more attention due to turns and local traffic. This dynamic makes the drive engaging without being overly demanding.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.9 mi on South Strawtown Pike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 109 miles in.
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 38m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 109 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 114.6 miles (Carey Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 115.9 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Albion, IN to Carmel, IN, road signs begin pointing toward 146Th Street West along the way.
146Th Street West
109 mi in
|
~2h 23m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 116.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (35%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.9 miles on South Strawtown Pike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 109 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 114.6 miles (Carey Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 115.9 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Carmel, IN before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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