Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 33m
Distance
116.9 mi
188 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eel River, IN
Volcsei Peter
Evansville, IN
Wikimedia Commons
This 116.9-mile drive from Eel River, IN to Evansville, IN is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 33 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I 69 and US 231, with a small portion on SR 157, offering a highway-focused experience. With a projected fuel cost of around $18, it's an economical choice for a quick journey within the Midwest. You'll find this drive to be straightforward, making it a convenient option when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. Plan for a single recommended stop to break up the drive and stretch your legs.
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
58.4 miles from Eel River, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 69 | 65.4 mi | 1h 10m |
| US 231 | 16.4 mi | 23m |
| SR 157 | 11.5 mi | 19m |
| East Lloyd Expressway | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| SR 59 | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| South Commercial Street | 3 mi | 4m |
| Hochstetler Street | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| North Burkhardt Road | 2.5 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Eel River, IN and Evansville, IN.
Start on West County Road 450 South
Continue on South County Road 75 West
Turn left onto West County Road 450 South
Turn right onto SR 59
Turn left onto SR 157
Turn right onto SR 157
Turn left onto SR 157
Turn right onto SR 157
Turn left onto SR 157
Continue on SR 157
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 157
At end of road, turn left onto SR 157
Turn straight onto US 231; SR 67
Turn slight left onto US 231; SR 57
Turn left onto SR 58
Continue on SR 58
Turn left onto SR 58
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 69
Take the exit
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto Lynch Road
Turn left onto North Burkhardt Road
Turn right onto SR 66
Take the exit
Merge onto US 41; SR 66
Turn right onto East Walnut Street
Turn right
At end of road, turn right
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 33 minutes for this 116.9-mile trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits you best. With only one recommended stop, consider making it a midway point for fuel or a quick break. The longest stretch on I 69 is over 65 miles, so ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that section. The total fuel cost is estimated at $18, making it a budget-friendly excursion. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 69 to US 231 as you approach your destination.
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.
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 26 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.4 miles or 1h 26m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Evansville, IN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Eel River, 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 Eel River, IN
This is one driving day of about 116.9 miles and 2h 33m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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.
A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 58.4 miles from Eel River, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 69 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 116.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto SR 59
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto SR 157 / Fair Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto SR 157 / 14th Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward Lynch Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
At end of road, turn right
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$18.28 one way
$36.55 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.07 | $40.13 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.50 | $44.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.81 | $51.62 |
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: 40.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.1 | 0 | $12.27 | $5.61 |
| Efficient EV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.23 | $4.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.8 | 0 | $16.37 | $7.48 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Eel River on Tuesday
Local time
4:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Evansville on Tuesday
Local time
3:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 87% of the journey on major roadways like I 69 and US 231. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 65.4 miles on I 69, allowing for consistent speed. While the majority is highway, the inclusion of SR 157 might introduce some variation. This route prioritizes efficiency over extensive scenic detours, providing a steady pace for most of the 116.9 miles. You'll likely experience a straightforward driving experience with ample opportunity to cover ground.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and US 231. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near SR 59.
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 116.9 miles you will encounter 20 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 0.9 miles (SR 59): Navigation decision point; at 4.4 miles (SR 157 / Fair Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.7 miles (SR 157 / 14th Street): Navigation decision point.
Evansville is the largest city in Southern Indiana and the third-largest city in the state. It is the county seat of Vanderburgh County and the regional hub for the Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois tri-state area. In 2010, the city had a population of 117,000. In 2008 the Evansville metropolitan area was home to 350,000 people.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 116.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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