If you are planning a trip across the Hoosier State, the 118-mile journey from Hope to Terre Haute is an straightforward trek that fits perfectly into a single day. Expect the drive to take approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes, making it an ideal choice if you want to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of about $18, this route is quite economical for solo drivers or small groups. You will navigate through the heart of the Midwest, transitioning between smaller community roads and larger transit corridors. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two Indiana locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59 miles from Hope, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
63.1 mi
1h 8m
I 65
25.3 mi
28m
Old State Road 252
9.5 mi
16m
I 69
4.5 mi
5m
SR 9
4.3 mi
6m
I 74
4.3 mi
4m
South 3rd Street
2.4 mi
5m
Jackson Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 63.1 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hope, IN and Terre Haute, IN.
1
Start on Jackson Street
36 ft·3 sec·Jackson Street
2
Turn right onto SR 9
4.3 mi·6 min·SR 9
3
Turn left onto Old State Road 252
9.5 mi·16 min·Old State Road 252
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
5
Merge onto I 65
25 mi·28 min·I 65
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 106Toward I 465 West, I 74West, I 465 East, I 74 East: Peoria, CincinnatiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 465 West, I 74 West: PeoriaUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 69; I 74; I 465
4.5 mi·5 min·I 69; I 74; I 465
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; I 465
4.3 mi·4 min·I 74; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 9Toward I 70: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International Airport, IndianapolisUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
2.8 mi·5 min
Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International AirportUse the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 70 West: Saint LouisUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 70
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 7Toward US 41, US 150: Terre Haute, Evansville
15
Turn right onto US 41; US 150
2.4 mi·5 min·South 3rd Street
16
Arrive at destination
US 41; US 150
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under two and a half hours, you do not need to worry about complex stop planning or fatigue management. Aim to time your departure to avoid peak local traffic, as the mix of highway and state road driving can be affected by commuter patterns. With no mandatory stops included in the route plan, you have the freedom to push through the 118 miles in one go or take a quick break whenever you feel the need to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the Eisenhower Highway, as that 63.1-mile stretch is your longest period without significant exits. Having your $18 fuel budget ready for a quick fill-up at the start or finish will keep your transit smooth and efficient.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59 miles from Hope, IN, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.1 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59 miles or 1h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Terre Haute, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hope, 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 Hope, IN
This is one driving day of about 118 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Hope, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway for about 63.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 39.5 and 51.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
39.5 mi into trip|~52m in
Take the exit toward I 465 West, I 74West, I 465 East, I 74 East: Peoria, Cincinnati
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 106
Toward I 465 West, I 74West, I 465 East, I 74 E...
8
39.6 mi into trip|~52m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
8
48.8 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International Airport, Indianapolis
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 9
Toward I 70: Saint Louis, Indianapolis Internat...
8
49.1 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 West: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis, Indianapolis Int...
7
51.9 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 West: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.45 one way
$36.90 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.26
$40.51
premium
$4.89
$22.71
$45.42
diesel
$5.61
$26.05
$52.11
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: 41.3 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
35.4
0
$12.39
$5.66
Efficient EV
29.5
0
$10.33
$4.72
EV Truck/SUV
47.2
0
$16.52
$7.55
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Hope, IN
Morning
in Hope on Sunday
Local time
10:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 10 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 6:41PM EDT until April 14 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 14 at 1:19PM EDT until April 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Terre Haute, IN
Morning
in Terre Haute on Sunday
Local time
10:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 12 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 6:41PM EDT until April 14 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 14 at 1:19PM EDT until April 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
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
1 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
2h 24m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing high-speed transit with local road navigation. You will spend about 33% of your journey on major highways, primarily utilizing the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and I-65. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Eisenhower Highway, where you will cover 63.1 miles of consistent driving. While the interstate sections allow you to maintain a steady pace, Old State Road 252 provides a shift in scenery and pace as you transition between regions. You should be prepared for the contrast between the open highway stretches and the more deliberate, slower-paced segments of the drive.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.1 mi on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 39.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 118 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 39.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Between Hope, IN and Terre Haute, IN, road signs point toward Cincinnati, Indianapolis International Airport and Indianapolis.
Cincinnati
39.5 mi in|~52m
Indianapolis International Airport
48.8 mi in|~1h 3m
Indianapolis
48.8 mi in|~1h 3m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 24m. Total distance: 118 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (33%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.1 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Terre Haute, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 39.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Terre Haute, IN before heading back.
