Spanning 145.4 miles, this direct journey from Mount Vernon to Saint Joseph takes approximately 2 hours and 19 minutes of driving time. Because the route is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend about $22 on fuel for the trip, making it an affordable excursion within the Midwest. Your path will take you off the beaten track via North Burkhardt Road and Morgan Avenue before connecting to I-64 East. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery, this straightforward drive offers a reliable way to cross the state of Indiana.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
68.8 miles from Mount Vernon, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
91.7 mi
1h 39m
East 4th Street
23.9 mi
27m
I 69
11.3 mi
12m
Grant Line Road
4.6 mi
8m
I 265
3 mi
3m
North Burkhardt Road
1.3 mi
2m
Morgan Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 91.7 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Vernon, IN and Saint Joseph, IN.
1
Start on SR 62; SR 69
24 mi·27 min·East 4th Street
2
Turn left onto North Burkhardt Road
1.3 mi·2 min·North Burkhardt Road
3
Turn right onto SR 62
0.6 mi·1 min·Morgan Avenue
4
Turn left
0.4 mi·52 sec
5
Merge onto I 69
11 mi·12 min·I 69
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·58 sec
Exit 21AToward I 64 East: Louisville
7
Merge onto I 64
92 mi·1 hr 39 min·I 64
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 265; SR 62
3.0 mi·3 min·I 265; SR 62
Exit 121Toward I 265 East, SR 62 East
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 3Toward Grant Line Road
10
Keep slight left at fork
183 ft·5 sec
11
Turn left onto Grant Line Road
4.6 mi·8 min·Grant Line Road
12
Arrive at destination
Grant Line Road
Trip Plan
Given the local nature of this 145.4-mile trek, prioritize a departure time that avoids local commuter traffic on North Burkhardt Road and Morgan Avenue. Since the route is manageable in under two and a half hours, you have the flexibility to plan your day without needing rigorous rest intervals. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Mount Vernon, as the $22 estimated cost assumes a steady pace on local roads. A smart strategy is to check your GPS for real-time traffic updates before you depart, as the turn-heavy layout can be sensitive to unexpected congestion. Taking the time to map out your specific turns in advance will help you navigate the non-highway portions of the drive 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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.8 miles from Mount Vernon, IN, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.7 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 30 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.8 miles or 1h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Joseph, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mount Vernon, 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 Mount Vernon, IN
This is one driving day of about 137.6 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Mount Vernon, 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 64 for about 91.7 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 25.2 and 133 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
25.2 mi into trip|~30m in|SR 62 / Morgan Avenue
Turn right onto SR 62 / Morgan Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
37.5 mi into trip|~44m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 21A
Toward I 64 East: Louisville
7
129.8 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|I 265; SR 62
Keep slight left at fork onto I 265; SR 62 toward I 265 East, SR 62 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 121
Toward I 265 East, SR 62 East
5
132.8 mi into trip|~2h 28m in
Take the exit toward Grant Line Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 3
Toward Grant Line Road
5
133 mi into trip|~2h 29m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.51 one way
$43.02 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.62
$47.24
premium
$4.89
$26.48
$52.96
diesel
$5.61
$30.38
$60.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.3
0
$14.45
$6.60
Efficient EV
34.4
0
$12.04
$5.50
EV Truck/SUV
55
0
$19.26
$8.81
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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 20, 2026
Origin
Mount Vernon, IN
Morning
in Mount Vernon on Tuesday
Local time
8:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Joseph, IN
Morning
in Saint Joseph on Tuesday
Local time
9:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 37m 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.
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 66.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike long-haul interstate routes, this trip features a 0% highway share, placing you primarily on local roads that navigate through the region. You will spend your time navigating turns rather than settling into a monotonous cruise on a straightaway. Since there are no designated stops scheduled along the way, the driving experience remains consistent from start to finish. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience that requires you to stay alert and engaged with the local road network.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.7 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and East 4th Street. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 25.2 miles in near SR 62 / Morgan Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 137.6 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 25.2 miles (SR 62 / Morgan Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 37.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 129.8 miles (I 265; SR 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 37m. Total distance: 137.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.7 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 25.2 miles (SR 62 / Morgan Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 37.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 129.8 miles (I 265; SR 62): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Saint Joseph, IN before heading back.
