Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Trip from Kokomo, IN to Tell City, IN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 36m
Distance
212.8 mi
342 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 23m
★
6 AM
4h 37m
8 AM
5h 4m
10 AM
4h 46m
12 PM
4h 44m
3 PM
4h 48m
5 PM
5h 2m
8 PM
4h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kokomo, IN
Alexey Demidov
Tell City, IN
Steven Van Elk
Trip Overview
Kokomo, IN to Tell City, IN is 212.8 miles and takes about 4h 36m via South Washington Street and South Lafountain Street, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Indiana, traversing the Midwest region from start to finish. Given its duration and surface road profile, this route offers a more leisurely pace than a highway-focused drive. It's a good option if you prefer seeing more of the local landscape and aren't in a rush to reach your destination.
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
106.4 miles from Kokomo, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| SR 37 | 70.9 mi | 1h 33m |
| I 69 | 47.5 mi | 53m |
| US 31 | 32.4 mi | 42m |
| I 465 | 24.4 mi | 28m |
| SR 145 | 16.2 mi | 23m |
| US 150 | 10.6 mi | 14m |
| South Washington Street | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| South Lafountain Street | 2.2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
SR 37
— 70.9 mi, about 1h 33m
Traffic on I-465
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 132 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~5,086 veh/hr typical · worst 6,110
Quietest
2 AM
~448 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 91 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 Tell City, 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 123
Toward I 465, US 31 South
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 465 West
Use 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 5
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 69
47 mi
·
53 min
·
I 69
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 37
42 mi
·
52 min
·
SR 37
Exit 114
Toward SR 37 South: Bedford
20
Enter roundabout onto US 150; SR 37; SR 56
156 ft
·
2 sec
·
West Main Street
21
Continue on US 150; SR 37; SR 56
260 ft
·
6 sec
·
West Main Street
22
Continue on US 150; SR 56
11 mi
·
14 min
·
US 150; SR 56
23
Turn left onto SR 145
16 mi
·
23 min
·
SR 145
24
Continue on SR 64
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
SR 64
25
Continue on SR 37
29 mi
·
41 min
·
SR 37
26
Turn left onto SR 66
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
12th Street
27
Turn right onto Mozart Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Mozart Street
28
Turn right
242 ft
·
17 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a driving time of under 5 hours and no significant highway segments, this route offers flexibility. You could depart anytime in the morning and still arrive with daylight to spare. Consider breaking up the 212.8 miles with a brief stop around the halfway point, perhaps after about 2 hours of driving, to stretch your legs. Since the fuel cost is estimated at $33, ensure your tank is full before departing Kokomo to minimize any mid-trip refueling needs. Pay attention to local speed limits as you pass through smaller communities along South Washington Street and South Lafountain Street.
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 106.4 miles from Kokomo, IN, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.9 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 47 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.4 miles or 2h 12m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tell City, 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 212.8 miles and 4h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 SR 37 for about 70.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 106.4 miles from Kokomo, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before SR 37 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Speedco Indianapolis
0.8 mi from route
Mr. Fuel Travel Center
0.9 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 25.9 and 112.8 — 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
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
6
112.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
|
SR 37
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 37 toward SR 37 South: Bedford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 114
Toward SR 37 South: Bedford
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.90 one way
$57.81 round trip
$3.45/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $32.26 | $64.51 |
| premium | $4.15 | $34.77 | $69.54 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $31.42 | $62.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.5 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.8 | 0 | $22.34 | $10.21 |
| Efficient EV | 53.2 | 0 | $18.62 | $8.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.1 | 1 | $29.79 | $13.62 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Origin
Kokomo, IN
Morning in Kokomo on Sunday
Local time
9:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Sunny
NNE 3 to 8 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:58AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:58AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Tell City, IN
Morning in Tell City on Sunday
Local time
8:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Sunny
N 6 to 12 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:58AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:58AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
48°F
Bloomington, IN
106 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
4 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 36m 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.
Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 212.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is entirely on surface roads, with 0% highway travel. You'll spend the entire 4h 36m navigating local streets and county roads like South Washington Street and South Lafountain Street. Expect a rural cruising feel as you traverse the 212.8 miles, with opportunities to observe the changing scenery at a slower pace. There isn't a longest stretch of uninterrupted driving specified, suggesting frequent intersections or town crossings.
96% 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: 70.9 mi on SR 37.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on SR 37 and I 69. 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 Effort
8/10
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 212.8 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
915 ft
421 ft
Total Climb
587 ft
Total Descent
976 ft
Highest Point
915 ft
~30.4 mi in
Elevation Range
494 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Kokomo, IN
Full guide →Founded 1855
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.
Arriving in Tell City, IN
Full guide →Founded 1857
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 4h 36m. Total distance: 212.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.9 miles on SR 37. 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 Tell City, 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 — Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Tell City, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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