Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Benton, IN to Indianapolis, IN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 19m

Distance

139.9 mi

225 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 8m ★
6 AM
3h 20m
8 AM
3h 44m
10 AM
3h 28m
12 PM
3h 26m
3 PM
3h 29m
5 PM
3h 43m
8 PM
3h 13m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
unincorporated community in Elkhart County, Indiana

Benton, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 139.9-mile drive from Benton, Indiana, to Indianapolis, Indiana, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 19 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of roads, including South Strawtown Pike, US 24, and SR 5, with about 51% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $22, and with just one recommended stop, it's a straightforward excursion through the Midwest. This route offers a practical way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning, making it ideal for a quick getaway or an efficient transit.

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

70 miles from Benton, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
South Strawtown Pike 32.9 mi 38m
US 24 26.8 mi 31m
SR 5 21.3 mi 37m
North Huntington Street 17.6 mi 26m
SR 37 12.9 mi 17m
Binford Boulevard 6.4 mi 9m
County Road 33 3.7 mi 6m
US 30 3.5 mi 4m
Longest stretch: South Strawtown Pike — 32.9 mi, about 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Benton, IN and Indianapolis, IN.

1

Start on US 33

0.6 mi · 58 sec · US 33
2

Turn right onto CR 33

3.7 mi · 6 min · County Road 33
3

Enter roundabout onto SR 13

148 ft · 2 sec · State Road 13
4

Continue on SR 13

1.0 mi · 1 min · State Road 13
5

Continue on SR 13

0.5 mi · 46 sec · North Indiana Avenue
6

Continue on SR 13

18 mi · 26 min · North Huntington Street
7

Turn left onto US 30

3.5 mi · 4 min · US 30
8

Turn right onto North Binkley Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Binkley Road
9

Turn left onto West Old Trail Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Old Trail Road
10

Turn right onto SR 5

6.7 mi · 11 min · SR 5
11

Continue on SR 5; SR 14

15 mi · 25 min · SR 5; SR 14
12

Turn right onto US 24; SR 9

27 mi · 31 min · US 24; SR 9
13

Continue on SR 9; SR 15

2.4 mi · 4 min · South Western Avenue
14

Turn slight right onto SR 37

33 mi · 38 min · South Strawtown Pike
15

Enter roundabout onto SR 37

105 ft · 1 sec · SR 37
16

Continue on SR 37

13 mi · 17 min · SR 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Merge onto I 69

3.1 mi · 3 min · I 69
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 13 sec
19

Merge onto I 69

0.3 mi · 23 sec · I 69
20

Continue on Binford Boulevard

6.4 mi · 9 min · Binford Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
21

Continue on East Fall Creek Parkway North Drive

3.0 mi · 5 min · East Fall Creek Parkway North Drive
22

Continue on East Fall Creek Parkway, North Drive

0.2 mi · 31 sec · East Fall Creek Parkway, North Drive
23

Turn left onto North Meridian Street

2.4 mi · 6 min · North Meridian Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
24

Turn right onto Monument Circle

368 ft · 46 sec · Monument Circle
25

Turn left

76 ft · 6 sec
26

At end of road, turn right

257 ft · 28 sec
27

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour and 19-minute duration, this trip is best undertaken in a single day, leaving you flexibility with your schedule. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for an unhurried arrival in Indianapolis. With an estimated fuel cost of $22, it's wise to ensure your tank is full before you leave Benton to avoid unnecessary stops. Keep an eye on your mileage, especially during the 32.9-mile stretch on South Strawtown Pike, to manage your pace effectively. Planning for one stop will keep this journey smooth and efficient.

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 70 miles from Benton, IN, or about 1h 44m 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 31 miles or 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 70 miles or 1h 44m 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 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Indianapolis, IN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Benton, 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 Benton, IN

This is one driving day of about 139.9 miles and 3h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Benton, 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.

city in Grant County, Indiana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gas City, IN

70 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

Gas City, IN to Indianapolis, IN

63.6 mi · 1h 27m

Pacing Suggestions

North Webster, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sweetser, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 70 miles from Benton, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Capital Grille

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Indianapolis, Indiana

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route Very expen mile 139.9

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+13174238790

Visit website

Golden’s Fish & Chicken LLC

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Indianapolis, Indiana

0.1 mi

Five Guys

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Indianapolis, Indiana

0.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Good Vibes Cafe Indy

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Indianapolis, Indiana

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 139.9

Hours: 8:30 am–7 pm

+14632022117

Visit website

Georgia Street Grind

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Indianapolis, Indiana

0.3 mi

Lakeside Coffee Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Syracuse, Indiana

2.2 mi

The Capital Grille

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route Very expen mile 139.9

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+13174238790

Visit website

Golden’s Fish & Chicken LLC

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 129.9

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 10:30 am–11 pm

+13174368186

Visit website

Five Guys

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 139.9

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+13173533422

Visit website

La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 129.9

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13175772689

Visit website

Siam Square

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 139.9

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13176368424

Visit website

Namaste Biryani Indian Restaurant (Takeout/Delivery)

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 139.9

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+13176696848

Visit website

Delhi Palace Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 139.9

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 10:30 am–3 pm

+13179551700

Visit website

Bugambilias Mexican Cuisine

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 129.9

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13175165978

Visit website

Good Vibes Cafe Indy

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 139.9

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 8:30 am–7 pm

+14632022117

Visit website

Georgia Street Grind

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 139.9

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+13173719949

Visit website

Lakeside Coffee Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 10

Syracuse, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–7:30 pm

Visit website

Capstone Cafe & Bookstore

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 119.9

Carmel, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+13175669132

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 79.9

Marion, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Indy with Kids

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 139.9

Indianapolis, IN

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13174555289

Visit website

Mississinewa 1812

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 79.9

Marion, Indiana

+17656139248

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 4.3 and 139.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
4.3 mi into trip | ~7m in | SR 13 / State Road 13

Enter roundabout onto SR 13 / State Road 13

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

4
27.4 mi into trip | ~41m in | West Old Trail Road

Turn left onto West Old Trail Road

Navigation decision point

4
49.2 mi into trip | ~1h 20m in | US 24; SR 9

Turn right onto US 24; SR 9

Navigation decision point

5
139.8 mi into trip | ~3h 19m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

5
139.9 mi into trip | ~3h 19m in

At end of road, turn right

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.87 one way

$43.74 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $24.01 $48.03
premium $4.89 $26.92 $53.84
diesel $5.61 $30.89 $61.78

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 48.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 42 0 $14.69 $6.72
Efficient EV 35 0 $12.24 $5.60
EV Truck/SUV 56 0 $19.59 $8.95

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (67% 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 17, 2026

Origin

Benton, IN

Morning in Benton on Sunday

Local time

9:25 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Indianapolis, IN

Morning in Indianapolis on Sunday

Local time

9:25 AM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Mostly Clear

WSW 2 to 9 mph 2% 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

7 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

3h 19m 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?

Expect a mixed drive on this route, blending highway speeds with more local road conditions. While 51% of the journey is on highways, you'll also encounter stretches on roads like South Strawtown Pike. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll experience is 32.9 miles on South Strawtown Pike, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. This varied terrain means you'll experience different driving dynamics, from open highway cruising to potentially more winding or slower-paced sections as you approach your destination.

51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 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?

5/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.3 miles in near SR 13 / State Road 13.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 139.9 miles you will encounter 15 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 4.3 miles (SR 13 / State Road 13): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 27.4 miles (West Old Trail Road): Navigation decision point; at 49.2 miles (US 24; SR 9): Navigation decision point.

About the Cities

Arriving in Indianapolis, IN

Full guide →

Indianapolis is the capital of Indiana and also the state’s largest city. Efforts to beautify and modernize the city have brought Indianapolis into the 21st century as a world-class destination for everything from business meetings and trade conventions to backpackers making their way across the States. Indianapolis is widely hailed as the "Racing Capital of the World" because of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indy 500 and Brickyard 400 at the Brickyard, and as the "Amateur Sports Capital of America" for hosting the NCAA Hall of Champions. The city has several attractions outside of sports, including museums, a large zoo, over 100 ethnic restaurants, several arts and historic districts, and a revitalized downtown. Although Indy has been mocked with the epithet "India-noplace", visitors will encounter a mix of a large metropolitan city and a simple Midwestern community.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 139.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (51%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 4.3 miles (SR 13 / State Road 13): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 27.4 miles (West Old Trail Road): Navigation decision point; at 49.2 miles (US 24; SR 9): Navigation decision point.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Indianapolis, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Indianapolis, IN

Johnson, IN 161.2 mi · 3h 15m Hammond, IN 157.7 mi · 3h 3m New Carlisle, IN 153.1 mi · 3h 24m City of Gary, IN 152.4 mi · 2h 55m

More from Benton, IN

Carmel, IN 127.8 mi · 2h 57m Portage, IN 91.7 mi · 1h 55m Bonneyville Mills, IN 21 mi · 34m

More trips to Indianapolis, IN

Converse, TX 1159.7 mi Evansville, IN 167.2 mi Chandler, IN 165.8 mi Angola, IN 161.7 mi Burns Harbor, IN 160.1 mi Scott, IN 159.1 mi
Escape planner: Benton, IN Scenic drives in IN

Explore more options from Benton, IN or browse trips ending in Indianapolis, IN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IN road trips.