Traveling from Kokomo to Lowell covers 93.5 miles across the Indiana heartland, typically taking about 2 hours and 3 minutes of drive time. Because this journey is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You can expect to spend roughly $14 on fuel for the one-way trek. Navigating primarily via US 31, I-65, and I-69, you will stay within the Midwest region for the duration of the trip. This route is a straightforward, functional connection between these two Indiana communities, making it an efficient option if you are looking to reach your destination without unnecessary detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.7 miles from Kokomo, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 31
30.6 mi
40m
I 65
27.2 mi
29m
I 69
13.6 mi
15m
Keystone Parkway
5.2 mi
7m
I 465
4 mi
4m
South Emerson Avenue
2.6 mi
4m
South Washington Street
2.6 mi
4m
South Lafountain Street
2.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 31
— 30.6 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kokomo, IN and Lowell, IN.
1
Start on West Sycamore Street
21 ft·7 sec·West Sycamore Street
2
Turn left onto South Washington Street
2.6 mi·4 min·South Washington Street
3
Continue on South Lafountain Street
2.2 mi·3 min·South Lafountain Street
4
Continue on SR 931
1.0 mi·1 min·South County Road 00 East West
5
Continue on SR 931
0.4 mi·32 sec·North County Road 600 West
6
Take the ramp onto SR 931
0.7 mi·1 min·SR 931
7
Merge onto US 31; SR 28
19 mi·23 min·US 31; SR 28
8
Turn right onto East 226th Street
270 ft·10 sec·East 226th Street
9
Turn left
320 ft·50 sec
10
Continue on this road
320 ft·25 sec·this road
11
Turn right onto East 226th Street
270 ft·9 sec·East 226th Street
12
Turn right onto US 31
8.0 mi·10 min·US 31
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 129BToward Keystone Parkway, Rangeline Road, Clay Terrace BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto Keystone Parkway
5.2 mi·7 min·Keystone Parkway
Toward Keystone ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Enter roundabout
137 ft·7 sec
Toward I 465: South Keystone Avenue
16
Continue
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 465: South Keystone Avenue
17
Keep slight left at fork
430 ft·10 sec
Toward I 465 East: Keystone Avenue South
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·2 min
Toward I 465 EastUse the slight left / right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 465
4.0 mi·4 min·I 465
20
Merge onto I 69; I 465
11 mi·12 min·I 69; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 69; I 74; I 465
2.3 mi·2 min·I 69; I 74; I 465
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 52Toward Emerson AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto South Emerson Avenue
2.6 mi·4 min·South Emerson Avenue
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn right onto East Southport Road
0.5 mi·52 sec·East Southport Road
26
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
27
Merge onto I 65
27 mi·29 min·I 65
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 76AToward US 31 South: Taylorsville, Columbus
29
Turn straight onto US 31
3.8 mi·5 min·US 31
30
Turn right onto Shady Lane
0.2 mi·55 sec·Shady Lane
31
Arrive at destination
Shady Lane
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable two-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours on the interstates is always a smart move. You will not necessarily need scheduled stops for a distance of under 100 miles, but keeping the $14 fuel budget in mind will help you plan your refueling strategy before hitting the highway. Because the route relies so heavily on I-65 and I-69, keep an eye on traffic reports to ensure there are no major delays on these primary arteries. Use the 30.6-mile stretch on US 31 to settle into your drive, as this is your longest period of continuous travel before the road type shifts. Planning your departure to align with lower congestion periods will make the transition between highways much smoother.
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 46.7 miles from Kokomo, IN, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.6 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 21 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.7 miles or 1h 6m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lowell, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kokomo, 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 Kokomo, IN
This is one driving day of about 93.5 miles and 2h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Kokomo, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 31 for about 30.6 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 33.9 and 58.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
33.9 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward Keystone Parkway, Rangeline Road, Clay Terrace Boulevard
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 129B
Toward Keystone Parkway, Rangeline Road, Clay T...
7
34.1 mi into trip|~48m in|Keystone Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto Keystone Parkway toward Keystone Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Keystone Parkway
7
39.7 mi into trip|~56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 465 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / right lanes.
Toward I 465 East
7
58.1 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward Emerson Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 52
Toward Emerson Avenue
7
58.4 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.62 one way
$29.24 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$16.05
$32.10
premium
$4.89
$17.99
$35.99
diesel
$5.61
$20.64
$41.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.1
0
$9.82
$4.49
Efficient EV
23.4
0
$8.18
$3.74
EV Truck/SUV
37.4
0
$13.09
$5.98
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Forecast as of Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Kokomo, IN
Late night
in Kokomo on Tuesday
Local time
5:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 16 to 24 mph61% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 3:58PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 3:58PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Lowell, IN
Late night
in Lowell on Tuesday
Local time
5:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Cloudy then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 10 to 16 mph52% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 3:58PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 3:58PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
69°F
Lawrence, IN
47 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
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 3m 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 93.5-mile drive is a highway-focused endeavor, with 87% of the journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm quickly, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 30.6 miles while cruising along US 31. The personality of this route is defined by its efficiency, favoring major arterial roads over local surface streets to keep your travel time just over two hours. While the drive is largely characterized by an interstate grind, the transition between US 31 and the interstate system provides a consistent experience for the driver. Expect a predictable, utilitarian environment that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.6 mi on US 31.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 31 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.9 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 22 significant decision points across 93.5 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 33.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.1 miles (Keystone Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Kokomo is in Indiana, in the United States of America. Kokomo, named after a Miami chief, is known as "The City Of Firsts" due to innovations that occurred in tandem with the birth of the natural gas extraction industry there, especially as it pertained to automobile manufacturing. On a less dignified note, it also holds notoriety of hosting the largest Ku Klux Klan gathering in history which took place in 1923, and of early stigmatization surrounding HIV and AIDS with the emergence of Ryan White, an adolescent who was shunned from school after acquiring the virus through a hemophilia related-transfusion.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 3m. Total distance: 93.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 3m 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 30.6 miles on US 31. 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 Lowell, 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 33.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.1 miles (Keystone Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lowell, IN before heading back.
