Traveling from Lowell to Terre Haute covers 112.5 miles across the Indiana heartland, a journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 11 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively quick trip, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, I-65, and I-69, making this a straightforward trek through the Midwest. Budget approximately $17 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Whether you are heading south for business or a visit, this route offers a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two Hoosier communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.3 miles from Lowell, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
63.1 mi
1h 8m
I 65
29.7 mi
32m
I 69
4.5 mi
5m
I 74
4.3 mi
4m
US 31
3.6 mi
5m
South 3rd Street
2.4 mi
5m
Shady Lane
0.2 mi
<1m
North 3rd Street
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 63.1 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lowell, IN and Terre Haute, IN.
1
Start on Shady Lane
0.2 mi·55 sec·Shady Lane
2
Turn left onto US 31
3.6 mi·5 min·US 31
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·52 sec
4
Merge onto I 65
30 mi·32 min·I 65
5
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.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 465 West, I 74 West: PeoriaUse the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto I 69; I 74; I 465
4.5 mi·5 min·I 69; I 74; I 465
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
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.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 9Toward I 70: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International Airport, IndianapolisUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
2.8 mi·5 min
Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International AirportUse the slight left lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 70 West: Saint LouisUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 70
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 7Toward US 41, US 150: Terre Haute, Evansville
14
Turn right onto US 41; US 150
2.4 mi·5 min·South 3rd Street
15
Arrive at destination
US 41; US 150
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable drive of just over two hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to hit the road outside of peak commuting hours to ensure you maintain your 2-hour and 11-minute estimate. Because the route features a significant 63.1-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before you merge onto this main artery to avoid unnecessary stops. Keep a small cushion in your budget beyond the estimated $17 for fuel in case of traffic delays or idling. Staying aware of your transitions between I-65 and I-69 will help you navigate this straightforward Indiana route with confidence.
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 56.3 miles from Lowell, IN, or about 1h 8m 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 25 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.3 miles or 1h 8m 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 47m
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 Lowell, 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 Lowell, IN
This is one driving day of about 112.5 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Lowell, 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 34 and 46.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
34 mi into trip|~40m 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
34.1 mi into trip|~40m 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
43.3 mi into trip|~51m 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
43.7 mi into trip|~52m 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
46.4 mi into trip|~57m 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
$17.59 one way
$35.18 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.31
$38.62
premium
$4.89
$21.65
$43.30
diesel
$5.61
$24.84
$49.68
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: 39.4 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
33.8
0
$11.81
$5.40
Efficient EV
28.1
0
$9.84
$4.50
EV Truck/SUV
45
0
$15.75
$7.20
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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 17, 2026
Origin
Lowell, IN
Morning
in Lowell on Sunday
Local time
7:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Terre Haute, IN
Morning
in Terre Haute on Sunday
Local time
7:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°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
2 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 11m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances high-speed interstate travel with regional highway transit. With 37% of the journey spent on highways, the pace remains steady throughout the 112.5-mile duration. Your longest uninterrupted segment occurs on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which spans 63.1 miles of the trip. The road transitions between different interstate systems, so stay alert for changing traffic patterns as you shift between I-65 and I-69. It is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed and directness over technical or winding backroads.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 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 34 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 10 significant decision points across 112.5 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 34 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.3 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 Lowell, IN and Terre Haute, IN, road signs point toward Cincinnati, Indianapolis International Airport and Indianapolis.
Cincinnati
34 mi in|~40m
Indianapolis International Airport
43.3 mi in|~51m
Indianapolis
43.3 mi in|~51m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 112.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (37%). 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 34 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.3 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.
