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Trip from Oak Park, IN to Lafayette, IN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 22m

Distance

175.1 mi

282 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 10m ★
6 AM
3h 22m
8 AM
3h 46m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 28m
3 PM
3h 32m
5 PM
3h 45m
8 PM
3h 15m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Oak Park, IN, IN

Oak Park, IN

Radosław Krupa

Downtown Lafayette, IN, IN

Lafayette, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 175.1-mile drive from Oak Park, Indiana, to Lafayette, Indiana, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 22 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-65, this route offers a 95% highway experience, making it an efficient journey through the heart of the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, it's an economical option for a quick trip. The drive is characterized by its directness, with one substantial stretch of 165.4 miles on I-65, suggesting minimal need for frequent stops beyond a single planned one.

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

87.6 miles from Oak Park, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 165.4 mi 3h 4m
South Street 2.7 mi 5m
Allison Lane 1.5 mi 3m
East 10th Street 1.5 mi 2m
SR 265 0.5 mi <1m
US 52 0.2 mi <1m
SR 62 0.2 mi <1m
SR 26 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 165.4 mi, about 3h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Oak Park, IN and Lafayette, IN.

1

Start on Allison Lane

1.5 mi · 3 min · Allison Lane
2

Turn right onto East 10th Street

1.5 mi · 2 min · East 10th Street
3

Turn straight onto SR 62

0.2 mi · 19 sec · SR 62
4

Turn left

213 ft · 3 sec
5

Take the ramp

1.8 mi · 2 min
Toward SR 62 West, SR 265 West
6

Continue on SR 265; SR 62

0.5 mi · 34 sec · SR 265; SR 62
7

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 54 sec
Exit 7A Toward I 65 North: Indianapolis
8

Merge onto I 65

106 mi · 1 hr 56 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 65

30 mi · 35 min · I 65
Use the slight right lane.
10

Take the exit onto US 52

0.2 mi · 15 sec · US 52
Exit 141 Toward US 52 West
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 9 sec
12

Merge onto I 65

30 mi · 32 min · I 65
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 172 Toward SR 26: Lafayette, Rossville
14

Turn left onto SR 26

0.2 mi · 23 sec · SR 26
15

Continue on South Street

2.7 mi · 5 min · South Street
16

Turn slight left onto Jackson Street

0.1 mi · 30 sec · Jackson Street
17

Turn right

178 ft · 13 sec
18

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the efficient 3-hour and 22-minute duration for this 175.1-mile trip, this route is perfectly suited for a day trip. You can depart Oak Park in the morning and arrive in Lafayette with plenty of daylight remaining. The longest uninterrupted stretch on I-65 is over 165 miles, so plan your single stop accordingly for fuel or a break. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the busiest commute times and enjoy smoother driving on I-65.

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 87.6 miles from Oak Park, IN, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.4 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 39 miles or 46m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 87.6 miles or 1h 39m 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 44m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lafayette, IN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Oak Park, 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 Oak Park, IN

This is one driving day of about 175.1 miles and 3h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Oak Park, 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 165.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Greenwood, IN, IN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Greenwood, IN

88 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

Goshen, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Greenwood, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 87.6 miles from Oak Park, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 165.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Culver’s

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Seymour, Indiana

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 50

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+18124052497

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Seymour, Indiana

0.4 mi

Azul Tequila Authentic Mexican Cuisine Seymour IN

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Seymour, Indiana

0.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Good Vibes Cafe Indy

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Indianapolis, Indiana

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 112.6

Hours: 8:30 am–7 pm

+14632022117

Visit website

Georgia Street Grind

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Indianapolis, Indiana

1.6 mi

7 Brew Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jeffersonville, Indiana

2.2 mi

Culver’s

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 50

Seymour, Indiana

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+18124052497

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 50

Seymour, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+18125223122

Visit website

Azul Tequila Authentic Mexican Cuisine Seymour IN

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 50

Seymour, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18125198509

Visit website

Chili's Grill & Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 50

Seymour, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18125244547

Visit website

Oaken Barrel Brewing Company

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100.1

Greenwood, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13178872287

Visit website

Lindo Mexico

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100.1

Greenwood, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13178591336

Visit website

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100.1

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13178070248

Visit website

RedSeven Kitchen + Cocktail

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 175.1

Lafayette, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+17657427337

Visit website

Good Vibes Cafe Indy

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 112.6

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 8:30 am–7 pm

+14632022117

Visit website

Georgia Street Grind

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 112.6

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+13173719949

Visit website

7 Brew Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hours: 5:30 am–10 pm

+18129243194

Visit website

Pearl Street Game & Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+18129200926

Visit website

Coffee Crossing

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+18125903867

Visit website

Ntaba Coffee Haus on Brownsboro

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+15024380235

Visit website

Heine Brothers - Clifton

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–7:30 pm

+15028948060

Visit website

The Hotel Marty

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+15022943728

Visit website

Big 4 Escape

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hours: 2–8 pm

+18127251046

Visit website

Howard Steamboat Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+18122833728

Visit website

Reed’s Place: Steak and Chop Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 50

Seymour, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18122711298

Visit website

Indy with Kids

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 112.6

Indianapolis, IN

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13174555289

Visit website

Muhammad Ali Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15025849254

Visit website

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18777758443

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 5.5 and 171.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
5.5 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the exit toward I 65 North: Indianapolis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 7A Toward I 65 North: Indianapolis
5
6.1 mi into trip | ~10m in | I 65

Merge onto I 65

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
111.8 mi into trip | ~2h 6m in | I 65

Keep slight right at fork onto I 65

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
5
141.6 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in | US 52

Take the exit onto US 52 toward US 52 West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 141 Toward US 52 West
6
171.9 mi into trip | ~3h 15m in

Take the exit toward SR 26: Lafayette, Rossville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 172 Toward SR 26: Lafayette, Rossville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.37 one way

$54.75 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $30.06 $60.11
premium $4.89 $33.70 $67.39
diesel $5.61 $38.66 $77.32

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 52.5 0 $18.39 $8.40
Efficient EV 43.8 0 $15.32 $7.00
EV Truck/SUV 70 0 $24.51 $11.21

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 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

Oak Park, IN

Late night in Oak Park on Sunday

Local time

12:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lafayette, IN

Late night in Lafayette on Sunday

Local time

12:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Mostly Sunny

SSE 1 to 13 mph 7% chance Live forecast

Dense Fog Advisory

Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 1:55AM CDT until April 17 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 16 at 9:34PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

71°F

Greenwood, IN

88 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

29 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 22m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, as 95% of this 175.1-mile trip unfolds on interstate conditions. The main artery for this journey is I-65, which forms the backbone of the route for an impressive 165.4 miles. This means you'll experience long stretches of consistent speed and relatively straightforward navigation. While the profile is largely highway, keep an eye out for transitions as you approach your destinations, where you'll utilize South Street and Allison Lane.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165.4 mi on I 65.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and South Street. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 175.1 miles you will encounter 12 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 5.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 6.1 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.8 miles (I 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 175.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 165.4 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 Lafayette, 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 5.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 6.1 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.8 miles (I 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 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 Lafayette, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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