Evansville to Pierceton is 280.9 miles and takes about 5h 45m via I 69 and SR 13, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Indiana, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a straightforward drive with minimal complexity, making it a practical choice for a single-day excursion. The route is designed for efficiency, getting you to your destination without unnecessary detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
140.4 miles from Evansville, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 69
178.4 mi
3h 16m
SR 13
37.1 mi
54m
Manchester Avenue
30.8 mi
46m
IN-37
13.7 mi
18m
SR 37
11.7 mi
13m
East Lloyd Expressway
4.2 mi
4m
South Wabash Street
1.7 mi
2m
North Burkhardt Road
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 178.4 mi, about 3h 16m
Traffic on I-465
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 80 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,714 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~472 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 48 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 Pierceton, 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
12 mi·13 min·I 69; I 465
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
4.2 mi·5 min·I 69
Exit 37Toward I 69 North: Fort Wayne
14
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 37
3.4 mi·4 min·IN-37
Exit 205Toward SR 37 North: 116th StreetUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto SR 37
0.6 mi·56 sec·IN-37
16
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 37
9.7 mi·13 min·IN-37
17
Enter roundabout onto SR 37
93 ft·1 sec·SR 37
18
Continue on SR 37
12 mi·13 min·SR 37
19
Turn left onto SR 13
23 mi·34 min·SR 13
20
Turn right onto SR 13; SR 18
0.4 mi·44 sec·East Marion Street
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto SR 13
14 mi·20 min·SR 13
22
At end of road, turn left onto SR 13; SR 15
1.7 mi·2 min·South Wabash Street
23
Turn right onto BUS US 24; SR 13
31 mi·46 min·Manchester Avenue
24
Continue on SR 13
517 ft·17 sec·Main Street
25
Arrive at destination
SR 13
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 45-minute estimated drive time, leaving Evansville in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. The route includes only one recommended stop, but with 280.9 miles, you might want to plan an additional brief rest break midway, especially during the longest stretch on I 69. Keep an eye on fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $45, and service areas can be spaced out on interstates. For this one-day trip, flexibility is key; you can adjust your departure time based on your morning's readiness.
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 140.4 miles from Evansville, IN, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 178.4 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 62 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.4 miles or 2h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pierceton, 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 280.9 miles and 5h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 178.4 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 185.5 — 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.
6
181.3 mi into trip|~3h 22m 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
8
185.5 mi into trip|~3h 28m in|SR 37 / IN-37
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 37 / IN-37 toward SR 37 North: 116th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 205
Toward SR 37 North: 116th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.86 one way
$93.71 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$51.13
$102.25
premium
$5.25
$58.09
$116.19
diesel
$6.28
$69.41
$138.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.3
1
$29.49
$13.48
Efficient EV
70.2
0
$24.58
$11.24
EV Truck/SUV
112.4
1
$39.33
$17.98
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Evansville, IN
Late night
in Evansville on Thursday
Local time
5:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
W 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Pierceton, IN
Morning
in Pierceton on Thursday
Local time
6:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
S 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
44°F
Beech Grove, IN
140 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
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 45m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 48.4
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 29.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 87% of the 280.9 miles on major roads like I 69. You'll experience a long stretch of 178.4 miles on I 69 before transitioning. The final leg involves SR 13 and Manchester Avenue, signaling a shift from high-speed cruising to more local road conditions, likely with more frequent intersections.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 178.4 mi on I 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and SR 13. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East Walnut Street.
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 19 significant decision points across 280.9 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 0.1 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
•Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden — United States zoo
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 45m. Total distance: 280.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 178.4 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 Pierceton, 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 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pierceton, IN before the return drive.
