Connecting Pendleton to Evansville, this 203.6-mile journey across Indiana takes approximately 3 hours and 27 minutes of driving time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, it is best suited for a single-day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You should budget about $28 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwest locations. While the drive is manageable in one go, planning for at least one stop will help keep you refreshed behind the wheel. Given the local road profile, you will want to stay alert for frequent turns rather than settling into a cruise-control rhythm.
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
101.3 miles from Pendleton, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 69
192.3 mi
3h 31m
East Lloyd Expressway
3.9 mi
4m
North Burkhardt Road
2.5 mi
4m
West State Street
1 mi
1m
East Walnut Street
0.7 mi
1m
South Pendleton Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
State Street
0.3 mi
<1m
US 41
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 192.3 mi, about 3h 31m
Traffic on I-465
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,704 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~471 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 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 Pendleton, IN and Evansville, IN.
1
Start on West Madison Avenue
50 ft·5 sec·West Madison Avenue
2
Turn left onto South Pendleton Avenue
0.4 mi·58 sec·South Pendleton Avenue
3
Turn left onto West State Street
1.0 mi·1 min·West State Street
4
Enter roundabout onto State Street
95 ft·1 sec·State Street
5
Continue on State Street
0.3 mi·27 sec·State Street
6
Enter roundabout
309 ft·5 sec
7
Continue
358 ft·6 sec
8
Enter roundabout
391 ft·6 sec
9
Continue
0.3 mi·29 sec
10
Merge onto I 69
17 mi·18 min·I 69
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
1.0 mi·1 min·I 69
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on I 69
22 mi·25 min·I 69
Exit 200Toward I 465 South, I 69 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
48 mi·54 min·I 69
Exit 5Toward I 69 South: EvansvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69
104 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 69
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·39 sec
Exit 10Toward Lynch Road
16
Turn slight right
153 ft·4 sec
17
Turn straight onto Lynch Road
498 ft·15 sec·Lynch Road
18
Turn left onto North Burkhardt Road
2.5 mi·4 min·North Burkhardt Road
19
Turn right onto SR 66
3.9 mi·4 min·East Lloyd Expressway
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward US 41 South
21
Merge onto US 41; SR 66
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 41; SR 66
22
Turn right onto East Walnut Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Walnut Street
23
Turn right
332 ft·25 sec
24
At end of road, turn right
123 ft·9 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since you are navigating local roads for the entire 3 hours and 27 minutes, leave early in the day to avoid peak traffic on town streets. Incorporating your one planned stop early in the trip can help you maintain focus through the many turns you will encounter. Since there are no highway stretches to lean on, keep a close watch on your navigation to ensure you stay on track through the various street transitions. Budgeting $28 for fuel is a solid starting point, but consider carrying a bit extra if you plan on taking detours. Because this is a shorter, turn-heavy route, having the flexibility to stop whenever you see a local business or rest area is a major advantage.
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 101.3 miles from Pendleton, IN, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 192.3 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 45 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.3 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 5m
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 Pendleton, 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 Pendleton, IN
This is one driving day of about 202.6 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Pendleton, 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 192.3 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 90.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.9 mi into trip|~3m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
19 mi into trip|~22m in|I 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
20 mi into trip|~23m in|I 69
Continue onto I 69 toward I 465 South, I 69 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 200
Toward I 465 South, I 69 South
8
41.8 mi into trip|~49m in|I 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69 toward I 69 South: Evansville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
5
90.3 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|I 69
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69 toward I 69 South: Evansville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.92 one way
$59.84 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$33.03
$66.06
premium
$4.72
$37.62
$75.23
diesel
$4.80
$38.25
$76.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.8
0
$21.27
$9.72
Efficient EV
50.7
0
$17.73
$8.10
EV Truck/SUV
81
1
$28.36
$12.97
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Pendleton, IN
Morning
in Pendleton on Sunday
Local time
7:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Partly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
NNW 6 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 9:29PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:16PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Evansville, IN
Morning
in Evansville on Sunday
Local time
6:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 1 to 6 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 9:29PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:16PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
87°F
Bloomington, IN
101 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
10 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 48m 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.
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 153.7
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 174.7
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 on this route, as it relies entirely on local roads like South Pendleton Avenue, West State Street, and State Street. With a highway share of 0%, this is a pure local drive that avoids interstate travel entirely. You will not find any long, straight stretches here, as the longest uninterrupted segment on South Pendleton Avenue is 0 miles. The road requires your full attention due to its turn-heavy nature, making it a distinct departure from typical highway cruising. Navigating these local arteries provides a consistent, winding pace that defines the character of this 203.6-mile trip.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 192.3 mi on I 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and East Lloyd Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 202.6 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 1.9 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 19 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 20 miles (I 69): 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 3h 48m. Total distance: 202.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 192.3 miles on I 69. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 19 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 20 miles (I 69): 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Evansville, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
