Origin
Fort Wayne, IN
Late night in Fort Wayne on Sunday
Local time
2:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Wayne, IN to Jefferson, IN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 33m
Distance
118.7 mi
191 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 23m
★
6 AM
2h 34m
8 AM
2h 54m
10 AM
2h 41m
12 PM
2h 39m
3 PM
2h 42m
5 PM
2h 53m
8 PM
2h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jefferson, IN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Fort Wayne to Jefferson is 118.7 miles and takes about 2 hours 33 minutes via I 69, South Strawtown Pike, and West 200 South, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Indiana, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a mixed drive that balances highway speeds with local road navigation. It's a straightforward, single-day journey, making it an easy addition to your travel plans if you're looking for a relatively short hop.
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
59.3 miles from Fort Wayne, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 69 | 46.2 mi | 50m |
| South Strawtown Pike | 18.5 mi | 21m |
| West 200 South | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| County Road 100 South | 7.8 mi | 11m |
| East State Road 18 | 5.8 mi | 6m |
| East 150 South | 5.5 mi | 8m |
| Walnut Avenue | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| South Washington Street | 3.4 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 46.2 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Wayne, IN and Jefferson, IN.
1
Start on Dartmouth Drive
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Dartmouth Drive
2
Turn left onto East Washington Center Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Washington Center Road
3
Turn left onto SR 3
378 ft
·
14 sec
·
Lima Road
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 69 South, US 24 West, US 30 West: Indianapolis
5
Merge onto I 69; US 24; US 30
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
I 69; US 24; US 30
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on I 69; US 33
38 mi
·
40 min
·
I 69; US 33
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 264
Toward SR 18: Montpelier, Marion
8
Keep slight right at fork
160 ft
·
3 sec
9
Merge onto SR 18
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
East State Road 18
10
Turn left onto South Washington Street
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
South Washington Street
11
Continue on SR 37
19 mi
·
21 min
·
South Strawtown Pike
12
Turn right onto SR 28
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
13
Continue on SR 28
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East 150 South
14
Continue on SR 28
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
State Road 28
15
Continue on SR 28
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
East 150 South
16
Continue on SR 28
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on West Old State Road 28
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Old State Road 28
18
Continue on West 200 South
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
West 200 South
19
Enter roundabout onto West 200 South
93 ft
·
1 sec
·
West 200 South
20
Continue on West 200 South
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
West 200 South
21
Enter roundabout onto SR 28
136 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 200 South
22
Continue on SR 28
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
West 200 South
23
Enter roundabout onto SR 28
160 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 200 South
24
Continue on SR 28
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
West 200 South
25
Continue on SR 28
7.8 mi
·
11 min
·
County Road 100 South
26
At end of road, turn right onto US 421; SR 28
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
US 421; SR 28
27
Turn left onto US 421; SR 28
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East County Road 50 South
28
Continue on US 421; SR 28
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
East Wabash Street
29
Turn slight right
215 ft
·
4 sec
30
Turn slight right onto US 421; SR 28
179 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Hoke Avenue
31
Turn left onto US 421; SR 28
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East Walnut Street
32
Turn straight onto SR 28
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Walnut Avenue
33
Turn right onto Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Washington Street
34
Arrive at destination
Washington Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 33 minute duration, leaving Fort Wayne in the morning is ideal, allowing ample time to reach Jefferson before evening. With only one suggested stop and a relatively short distance, you have flexibility; however, consider breaking up the 46.2-mile stretch on I 69 for a quick stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto the local roads, as services can be more spaced out. A good tip is to top off your tank in Fort Wayne to ensure you have plenty for the entire journey, minimizing any potential fuel stops.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 59.3 miles from Fort Wayne, IN, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.2 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 26 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.3 miles or 1h 9m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Wayne, 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 Fort Wayne, IN
This is one driving day of about 118.7 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Fort Wayne, 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 46.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.3 miles from Fort Wayne, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 93.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward I 69 South, US 24 West, US 30 West: Indianapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 69 South, US 24 West, US 30 West: Indi...
5
2.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 69; US 24; US 30
Merge onto I 69; US 24; US 30
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
48.3 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Take the exit toward SR 18: Montpelier, Marion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 264
Toward SR 18: Montpelier, Marion
5
48.7 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
93.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
|
SR 28 / West 200 South
Enter roundabout onto SR 28 / West 200 South
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.56 one way
$37.11 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.38 | $40.75 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.84 | $45.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.21 | $52.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.46 | $5.70 |
| Efficient EV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.39 | $4.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.5 | 0 | $16.62 | $7.60 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Jefferson, IN
Late night in Jefferson on Sunday
Local time
2:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°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
19 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
2h 33m 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 route offers a mixed driving experience, with 39% of it on highways. You'll encounter a significant 46.2-mile stretch on I 69, providing a period of consistent, higher-speed travel. As you transition off the interstate, the drive incorporates local roads like South Strawtown Pike and West 200 South, which will likely involve slower speeds and more frequent turns. This blend means you'll experience both efficient highway cruising and more engaging, varied road conditions as you get closer to your destination.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.2 mi on I 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 118.7 miles you will encounter 16 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 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles (I 69; US 24; US 30): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fort Wayne, IN to Jefferson, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.
Marion
48.3 mi in
|
~54m
About the Cities
Starting 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 2h 33m. Total distance: 118.7 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 (39%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.2 miles on I 69. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles (I 69; US 24; US 30): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Jefferson, IN before heading back.
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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