Mishawaka to New Albany is 260.5 miles and takes about 5h 16m via I 65 and US 31, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within Indiana, moving south through the Midwest region. Expect a predominantly highway experience, making it a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a solid option for a quick trip between these two points.
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
130.2 miles from Mishawaka, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
96.8 mi
1h 44m
US 31
93.5 mi
1h 56m
South Michigan Street
24.9 mi
29m
I 69
13.6 mi
15m
I 265
5.9 mi
6m
Keystone Parkway
5.2 mi
7m
I 465
4 mi
4m
Saint Joseph Valley Parkway
3.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 96.8 mi, about 1h 44m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 96 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,745 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,455
Quietest
1 AM
~405 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 99 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 Mishawaka, IN and New Albany, IN.
1
Start on SR 933
1.1 mi·1 min·Lincoln Way East
2
Turn left onto Church Street
0.4 mi·47 sec·Church Street
3
Continue on Union Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Union Street
4
Continue on Bremen Highway
1.3 mi·2 min·Bremen Highway
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward US 20 West
6
Merge onto US 20
3.6 mi·4 min·Saint Joseph Valley Parkway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward US 31 South: Plymouth, Indianapolis
8
Merge onto BUS US 31
25 mi·29 min·South Michigan Street
9
Merge onto US 31
0.9 mi·1 min·US 31
10
Turn slight right
512 ft·6 sec
11
Continue on US 31
85 mi·1 hr 44 min·US 31
12
Turn right onto East 226th Street
270 ft·10 sec·East 226th Street
13
Turn left
320 ft·50 sec
14
Continue on this road
320 ft·25 sec·this road
15
Turn right onto East 226th Street
270 ft·9 sec·East 226th Street
16
Turn right onto US 31
8.0 mi·10 min·US 31
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 129BToward Keystone Parkway, Rangeline Road, Clay Terrace BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto Keystone Parkway
5.2 mi·7 min·Keystone Parkway
Toward Keystone ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Enter roundabout
137 ft·7 sec
Toward I 465: South Keystone Avenue
20
Continue
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 465: South Keystone Avenue
21
Keep slight left at fork
430 ft·10 sec
Toward I 465 East: Keystone Avenue South
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·2 min
Toward I 465 EastUse the slight left / right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 465
4.0 mi·4 min·I 465
24
Merge onto I 69; I 465
11 mi·12 min·I 69; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 69; I 74; I 465
2.3 mi·2 min·I 69; I 74; I 465
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 52Toward Emerson AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
28
Turn straight onto South Emerson Avenue
2.6 mi·4 min·South Emerson Avenue
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn right onto East Southport Road
0.5 mi·52 sec·East Southport Road
30
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
31
Merge onto I 65
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 65
32
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 6BToward I 265 West, SR 62 West: New Albany
33
Merge onto I 265; SR 62
5.9 mi·6 min·I 265; SR 62
34
Take the exit
0.6 mi·54 sec
Toward I 64 East: New Albany, Louisville
35
Merge onto I 64; US 150
1.1 mi·1 min·I 64; US 150
36
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Toward New Albany
37
Continue on West 5th Street
428 ft·12 sec·West 5th Street
38
Turn left onto West Market Street
0.3 mi·1 min·West Market Street
39
Turn left onto State Street
434 ft·16 sec·State Street
40
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, aim to leave Mishawaka in the morning to allow ample time. The drive is manageable in one day, so you can be flexible with your departure. You'll want to plan for at least one fuel stop, as the $40 budget is an estimate that can fluctuate. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 96.8-mile stretch on I 65, to avoid any unexpected delays. No overnight stay is necessary for this route.
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 130.2 miles from Mishawaka, IN, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.8 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 57 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.2 miles or 2h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Albany, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mishawaka, 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 Mishawaka, IN
This is one driving day of about 260.5 miles and 5h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Mishawaka, 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 65 for about 96.8 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 31
5 decision points cluster between mile 126.4 and 150.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
126.4 mi into trip|~2h 40m 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
126.7 mi into trip|~2h 40m 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
132.3 mi into trip|~2h 49m 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
150.7 mi into trip|~3h 11m 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
150.9 mi into trip|~3h 12m 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
$43.45 one way
$86.91 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$47.41
$94.83
premium
$5.25
$53.87
$107.75
diesel
$6.28
$64.37
$128.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.2
0
$27.35
$12.50
Efficient EV
65.1
0
$22.79
$10.42
EV Truck/SUV
104.2
1
$36.47
$16.67
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Mishawaka, IN
Late night
in Mishawaka on Thursday
Local time
5:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
S 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
New Albany, IN
Late night
in New Albany on Thursday
Local time
5:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Sunny
NE 1 mph0% chanceLive 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
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
5h 16m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 86% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on major interstates. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 96.8 miles on I 65. You'll transition from South Michigan Street onto US 31 before merging onto I 65. Expect a lot of exits and merging traffic as you navigate this route.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.8 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and US 31. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 126.4 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 31 significant decision points across 260.5 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 126.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.7 miles (Keystone Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Mishawaka is in Northern Indiana. The town is named after Princess Mishawaka of the Potowatomi tribe. Its adjacent twin city is South Bend, Indiana, which is west of the city. The St. Joseph River runs through downtown where a new riverwalk is still being constructed. Though South Bend has a great deal to offer in terms of tourist attractions, Mishawaka also has quite a few things to see and do. Notre Dame and South Bend are a short drive away if boredom begins to take over.
Between South Bend and Mishawaka, Mishawaka has more wealth and business despite a smaller population. AM General has a plant on the south side of town and there are many suburban-style strip malls and outlet malls along north Grape Rd. and Main St.
Top landmarks
•Old Mishawaka Carnegie Library — Carnegie library in Indiana
New Albany is a city in Southern Indiana along the Ohio River, directly across from Louisville, Kentucky. It serves as the county seat of Floyd County and has a population of around 38,000. Part of the Louisville metropolitan area, New Albany offers a more relaxed, small-town vibe compared to its larger neighbor across the river, with a revitalized historic downtown known for its architecture, local dining, shops, and cultural spots.
New Albany was founded in 1813 and grew as a river port and manufacturing center in the 19th century. Today, it features a walkable downtown with Victorian-era buildings, independent restaurants and breweries, and events like the large Harvest Homecoming festival in early-to-mid October.
Top landmarks
•Town Clock Church — church building in New Albany, United States of America
•Cedar Bough Place Historic District — historic district in Indiana, United States
•Culbertson Mansion — mansion in New Albany, Indiana
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 16m. Total distance: 260.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96.8 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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 New Albany, 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 126.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.7 miles (Keystone Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at New Albany, IN before the return drive.
