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Trip from Crothersville, IN to Fort Wayne, 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 40m

Distance

196.3 mi

316 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 28m ★
6 AM
3h 40m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 49m
12 PM
3h 47m
3 PM
3h 50m
5 PM
4h 4m
8 PM
3h 33m

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

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Downtown Crothersville, IN, IN

Crothersville, IN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

This 196.3-mile drive from Crothersville, IN to Fort Wayne, IN is a straightforward, highway-focused journey perfect for a single day trip. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 40 minutes on the road, with a projected fuel cost of around $31. You'll primarily be on I-69 and I-65, making up 96% of the route. Given the relatively short duration and highway profile, this trip is easily manageable in one day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The journey stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout.

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

98.1 miles from Crothersville, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 69 126.4 mi 2h 19m
I 65 61.4 mi 1h 6m
North Armstrong Street 3.3 mi 4m
South Emerson Avenue 2.5 mi 4m
SR 250 0.5 mi <1m
East Washington Center Road 0.3 mi <1m
East Southport Road 0.2 mi <1m
Coldwater Road 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 69 — 126.4 mi, about 2h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Crothersville, IN and Fort Wayne, IN.

1

Start on US 31

3.3 mi · 4 min · North Armstrong Street
2

Turn right onto SR 250

0.5 mi · 56 sec · SR 250
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
4

Merge onto I 65

61 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 65
5

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 103 Toward Southport Road Use the slight right lane.
6

Turn slight right

176 ft · 4 sec
7

Turn straight onto East Southport Road

0.2 mi · 26 sec · East Southport Road
8

Turn left onto South Emerson Avenue

2.5 mi · 4 min · South Emerson Avenue
Use the left lane.
9

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 58 sec
10

Merge onto I 69; I 74; I 465

2.3 mi · 2 min · I 69; I 74; I 465
11

Continue on I 69; I 465

12 mi · 13 min · I 69; I 465
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 69

4.2 mi · 5 min · I 69
Exit 37 Toward I 69 North: Fort Wayne
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69

108 mi · 1 hr 57 min · I 69
Use the straight lane.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 36 sec
Exit 312A Toward Coldwater Road South
15

Turn right onto Coldwater Road

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Coldwater Road
Use the right lane.
16

Turn left onto East Washington Center Road

0.3 mi · 40 sec · East Washington Center Road
Use the left lane.
17

Turn right onto Dartmouth Drive

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Dartmouth Drive
18

Arrive at destination

Dartmouth Drive

Trip Plan

With a total duration of under four hours, you have a lot of flexibility when planning your departure. Leaving early in the morning can help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you near Fort Wayne. Plan for one main stop, perhaps midway through the longest stretch on I-69, to refuel and stretch your legs. The $31 fuel cost is an estimate, so keep an eye on your gauge, particularly before embarking on the 126.4-mile segment on I-69. Given the efficient nature of this route, you won't need to worry about splitting the drive.

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 98.1 miles from Crothersville, IN, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.4 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 43 miles or 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 98.1 miles or 1h 52m 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

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Crothersville, 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 Crothersville, IN

This is one driving day of about 196.3 miles and 3h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Crothersville, 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 126.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Marion County, Indiana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lawrence, IN

98 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

Lowell, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

McCordsville, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 98.1 miles from Crothersville, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 69 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126.4 miles.

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

Super Pollo Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Indianapolis, Indiana

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 84.1

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+13175372478

Visit website

Denny's Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Indianapolis, Indiana

0.7 mi

Bugambilias Mexican Cuisine

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Indianapolis, Indiana

1.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Black Forest Cat Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 196.3

Hours: 9:30 am–6 pm

+12604982988

Visit website

A Divine Encounter Café

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fort Wayne, Indiana

0.9 mi

Firefly Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fort Wayne, Indiana

1.7 mi

Super Pollo Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 84.1

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+13175372478

Visit website

Denny's Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 84.1

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13178494867

Visit website

Bugambilias Mexican Cuisine

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 84.1

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13175165978

Visit website

Loving Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 196.3

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+12604898686

Visit website

Honest Indianapolis Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 84.1

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13178272137

Visit website

El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant Beech Grove

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 70.1

Beech Grove, IN

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+13177552370

Visit website

Culver’s

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 14

Seymour, Indiana

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+18124052497

Visit website

Azul Tequila Authentic Mexican Cuisine Seymour IN

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 14

Seymour, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18125198509

Visit website

Black Forest Cat Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 196.3

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: 9:30 am–6 pm

+12604982988

Visit website

A Divine Encounter Café

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 196.3

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+12604832233

Visit website

Firefly Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 196.3

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+12603730505

Visit website

Old Crown Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 196.3

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+18887627837

Visit website

The Hive Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 182.2

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–5:30 pm

+12602409911

Visit website

Fortezza Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 196.3

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+12602034103

Visit website

Five Lakes Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 182.2

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: 5:30 am–7 pm

+12602220366

Visit website

The Light House coffee bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 196.3

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12604333710

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 196.3

Fort Wayne, Indiana

+18333994638

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 182.2

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Reed’s Place: Steak and Chop Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 14

Seymour, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18122711298

Visit website

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 65.4 and 195.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
65.4 mi into trip | ~1h 12m 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
66 mi into trip | ~1h 13m in | South Emerson Avenue

Turn left onto South Emerson Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
83 mi into trip | ~1h 35m in | I 69

Keep slight right at fork onto I 69 toward I 69 North: Fort Wayne

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 37 Toward I 69 North: Fort Wayne
6
87.2 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in | I 69

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
195.6 mi into trip | ~3h 38m in | Coldwater Road

Turn right onto Coldwater Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.69 one way

$61.38 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 69 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $33.70 $67.39
premium $4.89 $37.78 $75.55
diesel $5.61 $43.34 $86.68

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 68.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 58.9 0 $20.61 $9.42
Efficient EV 49.1 0 $17.18 $7.85
EV Truck/SUV 78.5 0 $27.48 $12.56

Gas CO2

69 kg

EV CO2

23 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 15, 2026

Origin

Crothersville, IN

Morning in Crothersville on Sunday

Local time

6:15 AM

EDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fort Wayne, IN

Morning in Fort Wayne on Sunday

Local time

6:15 AM

EDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

73°F

Lawrence, IN

98 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

17 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 96% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll encounter a long, uninterrupted stretch of 126.4 miles on I-69, which forms the backbone of this trip. While primarily interstate driving, the initial and final segments will involve local roads like North Armstrong Street, offering a slight change of pace before and after the main highway stretches. The overall character is one of efficient travel, designed for covering ground quickly between these two Indiana cities.

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: 126.4 mi on I 69.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and I 65. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 65.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 196.3 miles you will encounter 12 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 65.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 66 miles (South Emerson Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 83 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

About the Cities

Arriving in Fort Wayne, IN

Full guide →

Fort Wayne is a city in the northeastern part of Indiana, a state of the United States of America. It is 30 minutes from the western Ohio border and 70 minutes from the southern border of Michigan. With a population of around 260,000 in the city and 615,000 in the metropolitan area, it's Indiana's second largest city. Fort Wayne is a metropolitan city with a small community feel. It provides the rush of urban activity while never losing an intimate personal connection with those who live or visit here. Fort Wayne is the second largest city in the state of Indiana, located in Allen County, the largest county in the state by geography. It is the regional commerce and industry center for Northeast Indiana and also impacts the economies of Southwestern Michigan and Western Ohio. Fort Wayne has been and is a breeding ground for entrepreneurs and high tech industries.

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 40m. Total distance: 196.3 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 (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 126.4 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 Fort Wayne, 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 65.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 66 miles (South Emerson Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 83 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Wayne, 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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