Traveling from Patoka to Greenwood covers 155.5 miles of Indiana landscape, making for a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 35 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate sprint, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day. Budgeting approximately $21 for fuel should keep you covered for the duration of your travel. Whether you are heading north for business or a visit, this route offers a practical connection between these two Midwest locations. You will find that this trip is efficient enough that you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations, allowing you to reach your destination with time to spare.
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
71.3 miles from Patoka, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 69
93.3 mi
1h 41m
US 50
21.4 mi
24m
US 41
19.8 mi
22m
West Smith Valley Road
3.2 mi
5m
Main Street West
2.8 mi
4m
Main Street
0.5 mi
<1m
County Road 300 West
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 93.3 mi, about 1h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Patoka, IN and Greenwood, IN.
1
Start on Main Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 41
20 mi·22 min·US 41
3
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward US 50 East, US 150 East: Washington
4
Merge onto US 50; US 150
21 mi·24 min·US 50; US 150
5
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
6
Merge onto I 69
93 mi·1 hr 41 min·I 69
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 156Toward Smith Valley Road
8
Turn slight right onto West Smith Valley Road
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Smith Valley Road
9
Enter roundabout onto West Smith Valley Road
152 ft·8 sec·West Smith Valley Road
10
Continue on West Smith Valley Road
3.1 mi·5 min·West Smith Valley Road
11
Turn left onto SR 135
0.5 mi·52 sec·County Road 300 West
12
Turn right onto Main Street West
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street West
13
Enter roundabout onto Main Street West
85 ft·1 sec·Main Street West
14
Continue on Main Street West
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street West
15
Enter roundabout onto Main Street West
100 ft·2 sec·Main Street West
16
Continue on Main Street West
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street West
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
Main Street West
Trip Plan
Since this 2 hour and 35 minute drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility when choosing your departure time to avoid local traffic. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs, which will help keep you alert given the technical, turn-heavy nature of the route. Because you are navigating local roads rather than major interstates, pay close attention to changing speed limits and signage along Smith Valley Road and West Smith Valley Road. Keep your fuel estimate of $21 in mind as you plan your budget, and consider filling up before you leave Patoka to simplify your journey. Taking your time allows you to manage the frequent turns comfortably while ensuring you arrive in Greenwood refreshed and ready for your next stop.
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 71.3 miles from Patoka, IN, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.3 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 31 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.3 miles or 1h 20m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Greenwood, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Patoka, 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 Patoka, IN
This is one driving day of about 142.7 miles and 2h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Patoka, 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 93.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.3 and 136.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
20.3 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the exit toward US 50 East, US 150 East: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50 East, US 150 East: Washington
4
42.1 mi into trip|~48m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
5
42.6 mi into trip|~49m in|I 69
Merge onto I 69
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
135.9 mi into trip|~2h 30m in
Take the exit toward Smith Valley Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 156
Toward Smith Valley Road
5
136.3 mi into trip|~2h 31m in|West Smith Valley Road
Enter roundabout onto West Smith Valley Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.31 one way
$44.62 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.49
$48.99
premium
$4.89
$27.46
$54.92
diesel
$5.61
$31.51
$63.01
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: 49.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.8
0
$14.98
$6.85
Efficient EV
35.7
0
$12.49
$5.71
EV Truck/SUV
57.1
0
$19.98
$9.13
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Patoka, IN
Late night
in Patoka on Sunday
Local time
5:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Greenwood, IN
Morning
in Greenwood on Sunday
Local time
6:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Bloomington, IN
71 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 43m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on experience behind the wheel, as this route relies entirely on local roads rather than interstate highways. You will navigate a mix of paths, including US 50 East and Smith Valley Road, with 0% highway share throughout the 155.5-mile journey. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you should anticipate constant adjustments and a more engaged driving experience than a typical freeway slog. There is no long, monotonous stretch of highway here, as the longest uninterrupted segment on US 50 East is 0 miles. This character creates a consistent, winding rhythm that keeps you focused on the road as you transition through the Indiana countryside.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93.3 mi on I 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and US 50. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 20.3 miles in.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 43m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 20.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 42.6 miles (I 69): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 43m. Total distance: 142.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 93.3 miles on I 69. 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 20.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 42.6 miles (I 69): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — George Rogers Clark National Historical Park. 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 Greenwood, IN before heading back.
