Spanning 184.3 miles across Indiana, this drive from Concord to Lowell typically takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes to complete. Because the trip is well within the limits of a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace. Budgeting around $28 for fuel should cover your transit across the Midwest landscape. Since 95% of the journey is highway-based, you will spend the vast majority of your time cruising on major thoroughfares. It is a straightforward, practical connection that links two points in the state efficiently.
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
92.1 miles from Concord, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 69
130.4 mi
2h 23m
I 65
27.2 mi
29m
SR 1
13 mi
19m
US 31
3.8 mi
5m
Spencer Street
2.7 mi
4m
South Emerson Avenue
2.6 mi
4m
County Road 56
2 mi
7m
County Road 59
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 130.4 mi, about 2h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Concord, IN and Lowell, IN.
1
Start on CR 51
181 ft·12 sec·County Road 51
2
Turn right onto CR 56
2.0 mi·7 min·County Road 56
3
Turn right onto CR 59
0.7 mi·1 min·County Road 59
4
Continue on CR 59
2.7 mi·4 min·Spencer Street
5
Continue on SR 1
13 mi·19 min·SR 1
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 69 South
7
Merge onto I 69
114 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 69
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
1.0 mi·1 min·I 69
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on I 69
15 mi·18 min·I 69
Exit 200Toward I 465 South, I 69 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 52Toward Emerson AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto South Emerson Avenue
2.6 mi·4 min·South Emerson Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto East Southport Road
0.5 mi·52 sec·East Southport Road
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
15
Merge onto I 65
27 mi·29 min·I 65
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 76AToward US 31 South: Taylorsville, Columbus
17
Turn straight onto US 31
3.8 mi·5 min·US 31
18
Turn right onto Shady Lane
0.2 mi·55 sec·Shady Lane
19
Arrive at destination
Shady Lane
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is simple given the 3 hour and 40 minute duration, but aiming to beat peak traffic hours on the interstates is always a wise strategy. With only one recommended stop planned, you have significant flexibility to tailor the trip to your personal comfort level. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the initial 130.4-mile stretch on I-69 to ensure you don't run low before reaching your next service area. Since this is a one-day trip, feel free to adjust your departure time to suit your schedule, as the lack of required overnight stops makes this a highly adaptable route.
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 92.1 miles from Concord, IN, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130.4 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 41 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.1 miles or 1h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lowell, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Concord, 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 Concord, IN
This is one driving day of about 184.3 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Concord, 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 69 for about 130.4 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.5 and 179.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
18.5 mi into trip|~33m in|I 69
Merge onto I 69
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
132.6 mi into trip|~2h 37m in|I 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
148.9 mi into trip|~2h 57m in
Take the exit toward Emerson Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 52
Toward Emerson Avenue
7
149.2 mi into trip|~2h 57m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
179.9 mi into trip|~3h 33m in
Take the exit toward US 31 South: Taylorsville, Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 76A
Toward US 31 South: Taylorsville, Columbus
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.81 one way
$57.63 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$31.64
$63.27
premium
$4.89
$35.47
$70.93
diesel
$5.61
$40.69
$81.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.3
0
$19.35
$8.85
Efficient EV
46.1
0
$16.13
$7.37
EV Truck/SUV
73.7
0
$25.80
$11.80
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
22 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 15, 2026
Origin
Concord, IN
Late night
in Concord on Sunday
Local time
12:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lowell, IN
Late night
in Lowell on Sunday
Local time
12:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°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
26 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 40m 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 focused, highway-heavy experience as you navigate the transition from Concord to Lowell. You will rely primarily on I-69, I-65, and SR-1 to cover the distance, creating a high-speed travel environment. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, where you will spend 130.4 miles on I-69. Because the route is 95% highway, the personality of this drive is defined by consistent momentum rather than technical maneuvering. You will find that the rhythm of the road remains steady, allowing for a predictable and efficient trek through the region.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 130.4 mi on I 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.5 miles in near I 69.
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 13 significant decision points across 184.3 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 18.5 miles (I 69): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.6 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
935 ft633 ft
Total Climb
215 ft
Total Descent
432 ft
Highest Point
935 ft
~105.3 mi in
Elevation Range
302 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 184.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 130.4 miles on I 69. 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.
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 Lowell, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.5 miles (I 69): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.6 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Lowell, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
