This 276.7-mile drive from Pershing, Indiana, to Evansville, Indiana, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day. With an estimated duration of 5 hours and 32 minutes, it's a manageable trip for most travelers, and the estimated fuel cost is around $43. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a relatively efficient way to cover the distance between these two Midwest locations. The route is primarily highway-focused, suggesting a steady pace with limited detours. This drive is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
138.3 miles from Pershing, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 69
151.7 mi
2h 45m
US 31
85.4 mi
1h 47m
I 465
24.4 mi
28m
West Olson Road
4.7 mi
11m
East Lloyd Expressway
3.9 mi
4m
North Burkhardt Road
2.5 mi
4m
North 400 West
0.7 mi
2m
East Walnut Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 151.7 mi, about 2h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pershing, IN and Evansville, IN.
1
Start on North 400 West
0.7 mi·2 min·North 400 West
2
Turn right onto West Olson Road
4.7 mi·11 min·West Olson Road
3
Turn right onto US 31
72 mi·1 hr 28 min·US 31
4
Turn right onto East 226th Street
270 ft·10 sec·East 226th Street
5
Turn left
320 ft·50 sec
6
Continue on this road
320 ft·25 sec·this road
7
Turn right onto East 226th Street
270 ft·9 sec·East 226th Street
8
Turn right onto US 31
13 mi·17 min·US 31
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto US 31
0.6 mi·55 sec·US 31
Exit 123Toward I 465, US 31 SouthUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 465 WestUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 465
4.8 mi·5 min·I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 465
20 mi·23 min·I 465
Toward I 465 South
13
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 5Toward I 69 South: EvansvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 69
47 mi·53 min·I 69
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69
104 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 69
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·39 sec
Exit 10Toward Lynch Road
17
Turn slight right
153 ft·4 sec
18
Turn straight onto Lynch Road
498 ft·15 sec·Lynch Road
19
Turn left onto North Burkhardt Road
2.5 mi·4 min·North Burkhardt Road
20
Turn right onto SR 66
3.9 mi·4 min·East Lloyd Expressway
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward US 41 South
22
Merge onto US 41; SR 66
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 41; SR 66
23
Turn right onto East Walnut Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Walnut Street
24
Turn right
332 ft·25 sec
25
At end of road, turn right
123 ft·9 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 32-minute drive time, departing in the morning will allow ample time to reach Evansville with daylight to spare. With only one suggested stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Consider breaking up the 151.7-mile stretch on I-69 with a brief rest to stay alert. The $43 fuel cost is an important budget consideration, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Pershing to minimize any potential fuel stops. This route is designed for efficient travel, so focus on maintaining a steady pace.
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 138.3 miles from Pershing, IN, or about 2h 58m 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 61 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.3 miles or 2h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 34m
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 Pershing, 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 Pershing, IN
This is one driving day of about 276.7 miles and 5h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Pershing, 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 77.4 and 116.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
77.4 mi into trip|~1h 44m in|US 31
Turn right onto US 31
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
90.4 mi into trip|~2h 1m 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
91 mi into trip|~2h 2m 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
5
91.6 mi into trip|~2h 3m in|I 465
Merge onto I 465
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
116.1 mi into trip|~2h 32m 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
$43.26 one way
$86.52 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$47.50
$94.99
premium
$4.89
$53.25
$106.50
diesel
$5.61
$61.09
$122.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83
1
$29.05
$13.28
Efficient EV
69.2
0
$24.21
$11.07
EV Truck/SUV
110.7
1
$38.74
$17.71
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Pershing, IN
Night
in Pershing on Saturday
Local time
9:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Evansville, IN
Evening
in Evansville on Saturday
Local time
8:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 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
5h 32m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 229
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 248.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for 96% of this 276.7-mile journey. You'll primarily navigate via I-69, US-31, and I-465, which means consistent speed limits and a predictable driving environment for much of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 151.7 miles on I-69, offering a significant period of continuous driving. While largely interstate, the transitions between these major roads will define the character of the drive, ensuring you maintain momentum towards Evansville.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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?
9/10
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 77.4 miles in near US 31.
Driving Effort9/10
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 276.7 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 77.4 miles (US 31): Lane positioning matters here; at 90.4 miles (US 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 32m. Total distance: 276.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 77.4 miles (US 31): Lane positioning matters here; at 90.4 miles (US 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 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.
