This 177.9-mile drive from Evansville to Lawrence, Indiana, is a straightforward 3-hour and 19-minute journey primarily utilizing I-69. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, it's perfectly suited as a single-day trip. You can expect a fuel cost of around $28 for this route. Traveling within the Midwest, this drive offers a consistent experience without significant regional transitions. The single recommended stop suggests a brief pause is all that's needed to complete this efficient trip.
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
88.9 miles from Evansville, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 69
169.7 mi
3h 5m
East Lloyd Expressway
4.2 mi
4m
North Burkhardt Road
1.3 mi
2m
US 36
1 mi
2m
Morgan Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
South Garvin Street
0.2 mi
<1m
McCoy Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
John Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 169.7 mi, about 3h 5m
Traffic on I-465
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 33 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,704 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~471 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evansville, IN and Lawrence, IN.
1
Start on this road
123 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn left
332 ft·26 sec
3
Turn right onto East Walnut Street
127 ft·6 sec·East Walnut Street
4
Turn right onto South Garvin Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·South Garvin Street
5
Turn right onto John Street
243 ft·4 sec·John Street
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
7
Merge onto SR 62
4.2 mi·4 min·East Lloyd Expressway
8
Turn left onto North Burkhardt Road
1.3 mi·2 min·North Burkhardt Road
9
Turn right onto SR 62
0.6 mi·1 min·Morgan Avenue
10
Turn left
0.4 mi·52 sec
11
Merge onto I 69
162 mi·2 hr 57 min·I 69
Use the straight lane.
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
For this 3-hour, 19-minute drive, departing in the morning is advisable to avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and a 169.7-mile stretch on I-69, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Consider making your stop around the halfway point to break up the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $28; planning your fuel stop before hitting the longest stretch on I-69 will ensure a smooth continuation.
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 88.9 miles from Evansville, IN, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 169.7 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 39 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.9 miles or 1h 40m 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 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 Evansville, 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 Evansville, IN
This is one driving day of about 177.9 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Evansville, 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 169.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 177.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|East Walnut Street
Turn right onto East Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|John Street
Turn right onto John Street
Navigation decision point
5
7.1 mi into trip|~11m in|I 69
Merge onto I 69
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
176.8 mi into trip|~3h 17m 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
177.1 mi into trip|~3h 17m 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
$29.58 one way
$59.16 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$32.22
$64.44
premium
$5.18
$36.30
$72.60
diesel
$5.35
$37.47
$74.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.4
0
$18.68
$8.54
Efficient EV
44.5
0
$15.57
$7.12
EV Truck/SUV
71.2
0
$24.91
$11.39
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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 May 26, 2026
Origin
Evansville, IN
Afternoon
in Evansville on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ENE 8 mph53% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued May 26 at 2:33PM EDT until May 28 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Louisville KY
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued May 26 at 1:44PM EDT until May 28 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
Destination
Lawrence, IN
Afternoon
in Lawrence on Wednesday
Local time
4:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
ESE 6 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued May 26 at 2:33PM EDT until May 28 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Louisville KY
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued May 26 at 1:44PM EDT until May 28 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
68°F
Bloomington, IN
89 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
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
3h 19m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The British flag would not be raised above Fort Sackville Feb. 25, 1779. At 10 A.M., the garrison surrendered to American Colonel George Rogers Clark. His American army, aided by French residents of t...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 55.2
Abraham Lincoln grew from youth to manhood on this southern Indiana soil. Many character and moral traits of one of the world's most respected leaders was formed and nurtured here. Explore Lincoln's b...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 24.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the route utilizing major roadways like I-69 and East Lloyd Expressway. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including a continuous 169.7-mile segment on I-69. This means minimal slowdowns and a predictable pace for most of your journey. The character is predominantly that of an interstate cruise, designed for efficient travel between these two Indiana cities.
98% 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: 169.7 mi on I 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and East Lloyd Expressway. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East Walnut Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 177.9 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.1 miles (East Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (John Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.1 miles (I 69): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Top landmarks
•University of Evansville — private university in Evansville, Indiana, United States
•USS LST-325 — 1942 LST-1-class tank landing ship, later converted to a museum ship
•Masonic Temple — Masonic temple in Evansville, Indiana, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 177.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 169.7 miles on I 69. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 0.1 miles (East Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (John Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.1 miles (I 69): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — George Rogers Clark National Historical Park and Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Lawrence, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
