If you are planning a trip from Clarksville to Lawrence, you are looking at a straightforward 115.1-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 9 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it does not require an overnight stay to manage the distance comfortably. You can expect to spend roughly $17 on fuel for the trip, making it an affordable transit between these two Indiana locations. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the drive maintains a consistent regional feel throughout. It is an efficient, highway-focused drive that prioritizes speed over sightseeing, ideal for when you simply need to get from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.5 miles from Clarksville, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
100.2 mi
1h 48m
I 69
9.6 mi
11m
South Emerson Avenue
2.5 mi
4m
US 36
1 mi
2m
Eastern Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
US 31
0.2 mi
<1m
East Southport Road
0.2 mi
<1m
McCoy Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 100.2 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarksville, IN and Lawrence, IN.
1
Start on East Brooks Avenue
32 ft·4 sec·East Brooks Avenue
2
Turn right onto Eastern Boulevard
0.2 mi·45 sec·Eastern Boulevard
3
Turn left onto US 31
0.2 mi·18 sec·US 31
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
5
Merge onto I 65
100 mi·1 hr 48 min·I 65
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 103Toward Southport RoadUse the slight right lane.
7
Turn slight right
176 ft·4 sec
8
Turn straight onto East Southport Road
0.2 mi·26 sec·East Southport Road
9
Turn left onto South Emerson Avenue
2.5 mi·4 min·South Emerson Avenue
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·58 sec
11
Merge onto I 69; I 74; I 465
2.3 mi·2 min·I 69; I 74; I 465
12
Continue on I 69; I 465
7.3 mi·8 min·I 69; I 465
13
Take the exit onto US 36; SR 67
0.3 mi·40 sec·US 36; SR 67
Exit 42Toward US 36 East, SR 67 North: Pendleton PikeUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36; SR 67
0.6 mi·1 min·US 36; SR 67
Toward US 36 East, SR 67 North: LawrenceUse the right lane.
15
Turn left onto McCoy Street
416 ft·19 sec·McCoy Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left
59 ft·6 sec
17
Turn right
77 ft·5 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak rush hour traffic is always a wise strategy. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled for this 2-hour duration, you can easily complete the entire trip in one go without needing to plan for lengthy breaks. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the interstate to avoid premium pricing at highway-side stations. Given that the route is heavily concentrated on major thoroughfares, stay alert for sudden traffic flow changes near the highway junctions. Your best bet is to check local traffic reports for the I-65 and I-69 interchange before you leave Clarksville to ensure a smooth transition into Lawrence.
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 57.5 miles from Clarksville, IN, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.2 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 25 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.5 miles or 1h 3m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lawrence, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clarksville, 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 Clarksville, IN
This is one driving day of about 115.1 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Clarksville, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 100.2 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 114.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 31
Turn left onto US 31
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
100.9 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward Southport Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 103
Toward Southport Road
6
101.4 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|South Emerson Avenue
Turn left onto South Emerson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
114 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|US 36; SR 67
Take the exit onto US 36; SR 67 toward US 36 East, SR 67 North: Pendleton Pike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 42
Toward US 36 East, SR 67 North: Pendleton Pike
8
114.3 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|US 36; SR 67
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36; SR 67 toward US 36 East, SR 67 North: Lawrence
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 36 East, SR 67 North: Lawrence
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.99 one way
$35.99 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.76
$39.51
premium
$4.89
$22.15
$44.30
diesel
$5.61
$25.41
$50.83
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: 40.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.5
0
$12.09
$5.52
Efficient EV
28.8
0
$10.07
$4.60
EV Truck/SUV
46
0
$16.11
$7.37
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Clarksville, IN
Late night
in Clarksville on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lawrence, IN
Late night
in Lawrence on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Columbus, IN
58 mi in
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
2 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 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient experience behind the wheel, as 96% of this route consists of high-speed highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time cruising on I-65 and I-69, which provide a reliable, albeit utilitarian, driving environment. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 100.2 miles on I-65, allowing you to settle into a steady pace for a significant portion of the trip. While the transition onto South Emerson Avenue signals the final leg of your journey, the overall character remains that of a direct interstate grind. It is a no-nonsense route that favors consistency and speed, ensuring you reach your destination with minimal navigation hurdles.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.2 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 31.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 115.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 31): Lane positioning matters here; at 100.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.4 miles (South Emerson Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
874 ft451 ft
Total Climb
493 ft
Total Descent
73 ft
Highest Point
874 ft
~115.1 mi in
Elevation Range
423 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 115.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 100.2 miles on I 65. 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 Lawrence, 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 0.2 miles (US 31): Lane positioning matters here; at 100.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.4 miles (South Emerson Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lawrence, IN before heading back.
