Olive, IN to Evansville, IN is 324.4 miles and takes about 6h 25m via I 69, US 31, and I 465, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward trip entirely within Indiana, connecting two points in the Midwest. With 96% of the route on highways, expect a mostly efficient drive. It's a solid option for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.
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
162.2 miles from Olive, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 69
151.7 mi
2h 45m
US 31
124.1 mi
2h 34m
I 465
24.4 mi
28m
Saint Joseph Valley Parkway
7.7 mi
8m
East Michigan Street
5.3 mi
7m
East Lloyd Expressway
3.9 mi
4m
North Burkhardt Road
2.5 mi
4m
East Walnut Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 151.7 mi, about 2h 45m
Traffic on I-465
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 66 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~4,442 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,164
Quietest
2 AM
~364 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Olive, IN and Evansville, IN.
1
Start on Smilax Road
0.6 mi·2 min·Smilax Road
2
Turn right onto US 20
5.3 mi·7 min·East Michigan Street
3
Continue on US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·Lincolnway West
4
Take the ramp onto US 20
0.7 mi·1 min·US 20
Toward US 20 East, US 31 South
5
Merge onto US 20; US 31
7.7 mi·8 min·Saint Joseph Valley Parkway
6
Take the exit onto US 31
25 mi·30 min·US 31
Toward US 31 South: Plymouth, Indianapolis
7
Merge onto US 31
0.9 mi·1 min·US 31
8
Turn slight right
512 ft·6 sec
9
Continue on US 31
85 mi·1 hr 44 min·US 31
10
Turn right onto East 226th Street
270 ft·10 sec·East 226th Street
11
Turn left
320 ft·50 sec
12
Continue on this road
320 ft·25 sec·this road
13
Turn right onto East 226th Street
270 ft·9 sec·East 226th Street
14
Turn right onto US 31
13 mi·17 min·US 31
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto US 31
0.6 mi·55 sec·US 31
Exit 123Toward I 465, US 31 SouthUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 465 WestUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 465
4.8 mi·5 min·I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 465
20 mi·23 min·I 465
Toward I 465 South
19
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 5Toward I 69 South: EvansvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 69
47 mi·53 min·I 69
Use the straight lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69
104 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 69
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·39 sec
Exit 10Toward Lynch Road
23
Turn slight right
153 ft·4 sec
24
Turn straight onto Lynch Road
498 ft·15 sec·Lynch Road
25
Turn left onto North Burkhardt Road
2.5 mi·4 min·North Burkhardt Road
26
Turn right onto SR 66
3.9 mi·4 min·East Lloyd Expressway
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward US 41 South
28
Merge onto US 41; SR 66
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 41; SR 66
29
Turn right onto East Walnut Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Walnut Street
30
Turn right
332 ft·25 sec
31
At end of road, turn right
123 ft·9 sec
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given this is a drive of about 6.5 hours, leaving in the morning is your best bet to avoid late-day fatigue and maximize daylight. You'll have one recommended stop, so plan that break strategically. With a fuel cost estimated at $49, keep an eye on gas prices as you go. The route is largely highway, so you can make good time, but be aware of the longest stretch of 151.7 miles on I 69; ensure you're fueled up before starting that segment.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162.2 miles from Olive, IN, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.7 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 71 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.2 miles or 3h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Evansville, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Olive, 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 Olive, IN
This is one driving day of about 324.4 miles and 6h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Olive, 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 69 for about 151.7 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.3 and 163.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
14.3 mi into trip|~19m in|US 31
Take the exit onto US 31 toward US 31 South: Plymouth, Indianapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 31 South: Plymouth, Indianapolis
6
125.2 mi into trip|~2h 37m in|US 31
Turn right onto US 31
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
138.2 mi into trip|~2h 55m in|US 31
Take the exit onto US 31 toward I 465, US 31 South
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 123
Toward I 465, US 31 South
7
138.8 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 465 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 465 West
7
163.9 mi into trip|~3h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 69 South: Evansville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.91 one way
$95.81 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$52.89
$105.77
premium
$4.72
$60.23
$120.46
diesel
$4.80
$61.25
$122.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.3
1
$34.06
$15.57
Efficient EV
81.1
0
$28.39
$12.98
EV Truck/SUV
129.8
1
$45.42
$20.76
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Olive, IN
Night
in Olive on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Areas Of Smoke
SW 5 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:04AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Evansville, IN
Evening
in Evansville on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
WSW 1 to 6 mph66% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:04AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
61°F
Clermont, IN
162 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
1 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
6h 25m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The British flag would not be raised above Fort Sackville Feb. 25, 1779. At 10 A.M., the garrison surrendered to American Colonel George Rogers Clark. His American army, aided by French residents of t...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 268.5
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 290.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend almost all of your time on major highways, with 96% of the 324.4 miles being on interstates. The longest continuous stretch on this route is 151.7 miles on I 69. Expect a high number of exits and potentially busy merging as you navigate through or around urban areas like Indianapolis on I 465.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151.7 mi on I 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and US 31. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.3 miles in near US 31.
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 24 significant decision points across 324.4 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 14.3 miles (US 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.2 miles (US 31): Lane positioning matters here; at 138.2 miles (US 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Evansville is the largest city in Southern Indiana and the third-largest city in the state. It is the county seat of Vanderburgh County and the regional hub for the Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois tri-state area. In 2010, the city had a population of 117,000. In 2008 the Evansville metropolitan area was home to 350,000 people.
Top landmarks
•University of Evansville — private university in Evansville, Indiana, United States
•USS LST-325 — 1942 LST-1-class tank landing ship, later converted to a museum ship
•Masonic Temple — Masonic temple in Evansville, Indiana, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 25m. Total distance: 324.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 25m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 151.7 miles on I 69. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 Evansville, 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.3 miles (US 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.2 miles (US 31): Lane positioning matters here; at 138.2 miles (US 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — George Rogers Clark National Historical Park and Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Evansville, IN before the return drive.
