Origin
Bright, IN
Late night in Bright on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bright, IN to Terre Haute, 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 9m
Distance
161 mi
259 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 58m
★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 33m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 15m
3 PM
3h 19m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bright, IN
Efrem Efre
Terre Haute, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 161-mile drive from Bright, Indiana to Terre Haute, Indiana, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 9 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-74, also known as the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, you'll experience a straightforward journey through the heart of the Midwest. With a projected fuel cost of around $25, it's an economical option for a quick getaway or a practical transit. The route is designed for a single day, so no overnight stays are necessary unless you wish to extend your exploration of either starting or ending point.
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
80.5 miles from Bright, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 74 | 69.5 mi | 1h 14m |
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | 67.3 mi | 1h 13m |
| East Raymond Street | 7.8 mi | 12m |
| North Dearborn Road | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| SR 1 | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| South 3rd Street | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| State Line Road | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Sam Jones Expressway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 74
— 69.5 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bright, IN and Terre Haute, IN.
1
Start on this road
117 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto State Line Road
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
State Line Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto North Dearborn Road
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
North Dearborn Road
4
Turn right onto SR 1
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
SR 1
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 74 West: Indianapolis
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 74
69 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
I 74
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on this road
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Exit 94
Toward Southeastern Avenue
8
Continue on Southeastern Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Southeastern Avenue
9
Turn slight left onto East Raymond Street
7.8 mi
·
12 min
·
East Raymond Street
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on Sam Jones Expressway
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Sam Jones Expressway
Use the left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 70 West
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 70
67 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 7
Toward US 41, US 150: Terre Haute, Evansville
14
Turn right onto US 41; US 150
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
South 3rd Street
15
Arrive at destination
US 41; US 150
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, starting your drive from Bright in the morning will allow ample time to reach Terre Haute with daylight to spare. Plan for one main stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on I-74 is nearly 70 miles, and it's always wise to be prepared. The flexibility of this route means you can depart at your convenience, but an early start is recommended for a relaxed arrival.
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 80.5 miles from Bright, IN, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.5 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 35 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.5 miles or 1h 33m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Terre Haute, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bright, 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 Bright, IN
This is one driving day of about 161 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Bright, 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 I 74 for about 69.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.5 miles from Bright, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 74 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69.5 miles.
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 95 decision points cluster between mile 9.6 and 158.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
9.6 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the ramp toward I 74 West: Indianapolis
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 74 West: Indianapolis
5
9.8 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
I 74
Merge onto I 74
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
90.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 70 West
5
91 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
|
I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Merge onto I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
158.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 3m in
Take the exit toward US 41, US 150: Terre Haute, Evansville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 7
Toward US 41, US 150: Terre Haute, Evansville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.17 one way
$50.34 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.64 | $55.27 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.98 | $61.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.55 | $71.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.3 | 0 | $16.90 | $7.73 |
| Efficient EV | 40.3 | 0 | $14.09 | $6.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.54 | $10.30 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Terre Haute, IN
Late night in Terre Haute on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°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
25 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 9m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving experience, with 46% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 69.5 miles on I-74, providing a consistent, higher-speed segment. The remainder of the drive will likely involve navigating other main roads, including East Raymond Street, which may offer a slightly different pace. Expect a drive that balances efficient highway travel with more local road transitions as you approach your destination.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69.5 mi on I 74.
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 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 9.6 miles in.
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 161 miles you will encounter 9 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 9.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles (I 74): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 9m. Total distance: 161 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (46%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 69.5 miles on I 74. 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 9.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles (I 74): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Terre Haute, 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.
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