Kokomo, IN to Melody Hill, IN is 217.4 miles and takes about 4h 19m via I 69 and US 31, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Indiana, moving through the Midwest region. It's a straightforward trip primarily on interstate highways, making it a good option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground. You'll find it's a mostly highway route, so it's well-suited for a single-day trip.
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
108.7 miles from Kokomo, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 69
143.2 mi
2h 35m
US 31
32.4 mi
42m
I 465
24.4 mi
28m
SR 57
5.8 mi
8m
South Washington Street
2.6 mi
4m
Oak Hill Road
2.6 mi
6m
South Lafountain Street
2.2 mi
3m
South County Road 00 East West
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 143.2 mi, about 2h 35m
Traffic on I-465
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 66 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~4,442 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,164
Quietest
2 AM
~364 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Kokomo, IN and Melody Hill, 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
13 mi·17 min·US 31
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto US 31
0.6 mi·55 sec·US 31
Exit 123Toward I 465, US 31 SouthUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 465 WestUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 465
4.8 mi·5 min·I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 465
20 mi·23 min·I 465
Toward I 465 South
17
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 5Toward I 69 South: EvansvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 69
47 mi·53 min·I 69
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69
96 mi·1 hr 42 min·I 69
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
20
Take the exit onto SR 57
5.8 mi·8 min·SR 57
Exit 18Toward SR 57 South
21
Turn left onto Kansas Road
0.1 mi·16 sec·Kansas Road
22
Enter roundabout onto Oak Hill Road
6 ft·0 sec·Oak Hill Road
23
Continue on Oak Hill Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Oak Hill Road
24
Enter roundabout onto Oak Hill Road
11 ft·0 sec·Oak Hill Road
25
Continue on Oak Hill Road
1.7 mi·4 min·Oak Hill Road
26
Turn right onto Saint George Road
0.3 mi·46 sec·Saint George Road
27
Turn left onto Memory Lane
0.1 mi·29 sec·Memory Lane
28
Turn right onto Rode Road
126 ft·5 sec·Rode Road
29
Arrive at destination
Rode Road
Trip Plan
For this 217.4-mile drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential evening traffic. With a duration of around 4 hours and 19 minutes, you could technically do it in one go, but consider a brief stop around the halfway point for a stretch. Since 95% of the route is highway, you'll want to be mindful of fuel, as services can be spaced out on I 69. The estimated fuel cost is about $30, so keep that in mind when budgeting for your trip.
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 108.7 miles from Kokomo, IN, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.2 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 48 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.7 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Melody Hill, 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 217.4 miles and 4h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Kokomo, 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 143.2 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 25.9 and 64.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
25.9 mi into trip|~36m in|US 31
Turn right onto US 31
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
38.9 mi into trip|~54m in|US 31
Take the exit onto US 31 toward I 465, US 31 South
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 123
Toward I 465, US 31 South
7
39.5 mi into trip|~55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 465 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 465 West
5
40.1 mi into trip|~56m in|I 465
Merge onto I 465
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
64.6 mi into trip|~1h 25m in
Take the exit toward I 69 South: Evansville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.11 one way
$64.21 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$35.44
$70.89
premium
$4.72
$40.36
$80.73
diesel
$4.80
$41.05
$82.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.2
0
$22.83
$10.44
Efficient EV
54.4
0
$19.02
$8.70
EV Truck/SUV
87
1
$30.44
$13.91
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Kokomo, IN
Late night
in Kokomo on Sunday
Local time
5:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
NNW 5 to 13 mph85% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 4:54PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 4:47PM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Melody Hill, IN
Late night
in Melody Hill on Sunday
Local time
4:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 9 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 4:54PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 4:47PM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
87°F
Bloomington, IN
109 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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
28 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
4h 19m 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...
19 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 172.5
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 194.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 95% of the 217.4 miles spent on major roadways like I 69 and I 465. You'll experience a long stretch of 143.2 miles on I 69, which means extended periods of cruising. Expect numerous exits and lane changes as you navigate these busy interstates before transitioning to surface roads closer to Melody Hill.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 143.2 mi on I 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and US 31. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25.9 miles in near US 31.
Driving Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 217.4 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 25.9 miles (US 31): Lane positioning matters here; at 38.9 miles (US 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.5 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 4h 19m. Total distance: 217.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 143.2 miles on I 69. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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.
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 Melody Hill, 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. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 25.9 miles (US 31): Lane positioning matters here; at 38.9 miles (US 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Melody Hill, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
