New Albany, IN to Kokomo, IN is 167.1 miles and takes about 3h 19m via I 65 and I 69, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a single-day trip focused on efficient travel through the Midwest, connecting two points within Indiana. You'll primarily be on interstate highways, making for a straightforward journey with minimal navigational complexity. Consider this route if you need to get from point A to point B quickly and without much fuss. The relatively short duration means you can easily fit this into your schedule.
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
83.5 miles from New Albany, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
96.7 mi
1h 44m
North Meridian Street
26.8 mi
34m
I 69
14 mi
16m
I 265
6 mi
6m
Keystone Parkway
5 mi
7m
SR 931
3.8 mi
6m
I 465
2.9 mi
3m
South Washington Street
2.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 96.7 mi, about 1h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Albany, IN and Kokomo, IN.
1
Start on State Street
25 ft·8 sec·State Street
2
Turn left onto West Spring Street
0.2 mi·18 sec·West Spring Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·45 sec
4
Merge onto I 64; US 150
1.2 mi·1 min·I 64; US 150
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Exit 121Toward I 265 East, SR 62 East
6
Continue on I 265; SR 62
6.0 mi·6 min·I 265; SR 62
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 7Toward I 65 North, I 65 South: Indianapolis, Louisville
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 North: Indianapolis
9
Merge onto I 65
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 65
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 103Toward Southport RoadUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn slight right
176 ft·4 sec
12
Turn straight onto East Southport Road
0.2 mi·26 sec·East Southport Road
13
Turn left onto South Emerson Avenue
2.5 mi·4 min·South Emerson Avenue
Use the left lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·58 sec
15
Merge onto I 69; I 74; I 465
2.3 mi·2 min·I 69; I 74; I 465
16
Continue on I 69; I 465
12 mi·13 min·I 69; I 465
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 465
0.3 mi·19 sec·I 465
18
Continue on I-465 WB
0.8 mi·56 sec·I-465 WB
19
Continue on I 465
2.6 mi·3 min·I 465
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 33Toward Keystone AvenueUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn right
172 ft·6 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, West 96th Street, West 98th Street, East 96th StreetUse the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto North Keystone Avenue
0.3 mi·44 sec·North Keystone Avenue
Use the right lane.
23
Enter roundabout
113 ft·6 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
24
Continue
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
25
Keep slight left at fork
436 ft·11 sec
Toward Keystone Parkway
26
Merge onto Keystone Parkway
5.0 mi·7 min·Keystone Parkway
27
Merge onto US 31
27 mi·34 min·North Meridian Street
28
Take the exit onto SR 931
3.8 mi·6 min·SR 931
Exit 156Toward SR 931: Kokomo
29
Turn left onto East Alto Road
138 ft·2 sec·East Alto Road
30
Turn straight
233 ft·10 sec
31
Turn right onto South Lafountain Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Lafountain Street
32
Continue on South Washington Street
2.6 mi·4 min·South Washington Street
33
Turn right onto West Sycamore Street
21 ft·0 sec·West Sycamore Street
34
Arrive at destination
West Sycamore Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 19m duration and 167.1 miles, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, so aim for a morning departure to maximize your daylight. With the longest stretch being 96.7 miles on I 65, plan your first fuel or rest stop accordingly, as it's about halfway through your interstate driving. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the 96.7-mile mark, to ensure you don't need to detour for gas. The $26 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you leave New Albany.
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 83.5 miles from New Albany, IN, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.7 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 37 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.5 miles or 1h 32m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kokomo, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New Albany, 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 New Albany, IN
This is one driving day of about 167.1 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from New Albany, 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 96.7 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 105.8 and 127.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
105.8 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward Southport Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 103
Toward Southport Road
7
127.2 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward Keystone Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 33
Toward Keystone Avenue
7
127.6 mi into trip|~2h 24m in
Turn right toward North Keystone Parkway, West 96th Street, West 98th Street, East 96th Street
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward North Keystone Parkway, West 96th Street...
7
127.6 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|North Keystone Avenue
Merge onto North Keystone Avenue
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
127.9 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Enter roundabout toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.12 one way
$52.25 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.68
$57.37
premium
$4.89
$32.16
$64.31
diesel
$5.61
$36.89
$73.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.1
0
$17.55
$8.02
Efficient EV
41.8
0
$14.62
$6.68
EV Truck/SUV
66.8
0
$23.39
$10.69
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
New Albany, IN
Late night
in New Albany on Sunday
Local time
12:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kokomo, IN
Late night
in Kokomo on Sunday
Local time
12:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Greenwood, IN
84 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
18 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
3h 19m 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?
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 78% of the journey on interstates, giving it a distinct highway personality. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, particularly the 96.7-mile segment on I 65, which forms the backbone of this trip. While the primary roads like I 65 and I 69 offer speed, you will also experience transitions onto local roads like North Meridian Street. The overall feel is one of steady progress rather than winding scenic byways.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.7 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and North Meridian Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 105.8 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 21 significant decision points across 167.1 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 105.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 167.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96.7 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Kokomo, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 105.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Kokomo, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
