Richmond, IN to Highland, IN is 227.1 miles and takes about 4h 20m via I-65, I-70, and I-465, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, entirely within Indiana, making it a straightforward drive. With 96% of the route on highways, expect a direct path that's largely uninterrupted. It's a single-day trip, perfect for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Consider this if you need to cover ground quickly without much fuss.
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
113.6 miles from Richmond, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
129.1 mi
2h 20m
I 70
60.8 mi
1h 9m
I 465
11.1 mi
12m
I 69
6.1 mi
7m
Borman Expressway
5 mi
6m
I 865
5 mi
5m
Chester Boulevard
2.7 mi
3m
Ridge Road
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 129.1 mi, about 2h 20m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 86 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,996 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,653
Quietest
2 AM
~323 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Richmond, IN and Highland, IN.
1
Start on East Main Street
29 ft·2 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 27; SR 227
0.3 mi·44 sec·North 9th Street
3
Continue on US 27; SR 227
2.7 mi·3 min·Chester Boulevard
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
5
Merge onto I 70; US 35
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 70; US 35
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·25 sec
Exit 90Toward I 465 South, I 465 NorthUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·53 sec
Toward I 465 NorthUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 69; I 465
6.1 mi·7 min·I 69; I 465
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 465
0.3 mi·19 sec·I 465
10
Continue on I-465 WB
0.8 mi·56 sec·I-465 WB
11
Continue on I 465
11 mi·12 min·I 465
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 865
5.0 mi·5 min·I 865
Exit 25Toward I 865 West: Chicago
13
Merge onto I 65; US 52
12 mi·13 min·I 65; US 52
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto US 52
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 52
Exit 141Toward US 52 West
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
16
Merge onto I 65
117 mi·2 hr 7 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
1.4 mi·2 min
Exit 259AToward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6
5.0 mi·6 min·Borman Expressway
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 5Toward SR 912: Cline AvenueUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward SR 912 South: Cline Avenue
21
Merge onto SR 912
0.8 mi·1 min·Cline Avenue
22
Turn right onto Ridge Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Ridge Road
23
Turn left onto Parrish Avenue
25 ft·1 sec·Parrish Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Parrish Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 20m duration, departing Richmond, IN in the morning allows ample time to reach Highland, IN before evening. With only one recommended stop and a mostly highway profile, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. The $36 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but always check prices along your specific route. Pay attention to your fuel gauge, especially during the 129.1-mile stretch on I-65, to ensure you have enough before reaching a service area. Planning your departure to avoid peak rush hour traffic around Indianapolis on I-465 can also make for a smoother experience.
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 113.6 miles from Richmond, IN, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.1 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 50 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.6 miles or 2h 10m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Highland, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Richmond, 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 Richmond, IN
This is one driving day of about 227.1 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Richmond, 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 129.1 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 64.1 and 223.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
64.1 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 465 South, I 465 North
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 90
Toward I 465 South, I 465 North
7
64.4 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 465 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 465 North
6
82.9 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|I 865
Keep slight left at fork onto I 865 toward I 865 West: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 25
Toward I 865 West: Chicago
8
217.3 mi into trip|~4h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
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 259A
Toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
7
223.7 mi into trip|~4h 12m in
Take the exit toward SR 912: Cline Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward SR 912: Cline Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.88 one way
$75.77 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$41.33
$82.67
premium
$5.25
$46.97
$93.93
diesel
$6.28
$56.11
$112.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.1
0
$23.85
$10.90
Efficient EV
56.8
0
$19.87
$9.08
EV Truck/SUV
90.8
1
$31.79
$14.53
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 23, 2026
Origin
Richmond, IN
Morning
in Richmond on Saturday
Local time
7:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
NE 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Highland, IN
Morning
in Highland on Saturday
Local time
6:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
68°F
Pittsboro, IN
114 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
5 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
4h 20m 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.
Indiana Dunes National Park
National Park
Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast. Over 50 miles of trails...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$20
near mile 219.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with 96% of the 227.1 miles on major interstates like I-65, I-70, and I-465. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 129.1 miles on I-65. You'll notice a consistent flow of traffic and frequent exit ramps, especially as you approach and navigate around Indianapolis on I-465, before returning to more open cruising on I-65. Surface roads are minimal, making up only about 4% of the total distance.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.1 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 64.1 miles in.
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 19 significant decision points across 227.1 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 64.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.9 miles (I 865): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Richmond is a city in Central Indiana. It was founded by Carolina Quakers in 1806. Known as the "cradle of recorded jazz" or formerly as the Rose City for its rose cultivation, it has the honor of having had the first complete high school orchestra in the country and of being the recording center of such greats as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, not to mention a major producer of lawnmowers and school buses. It has also been home to some historical intrigues like Jim Jones and The Wright Brothers.
Top landmarks
•Madonna of the Trail — series of 12 monuments dedicated to the spirit of pioneer women in the United St...
•Starr Historic District — historic district in Richmond, Indiana
•Earlham College Observatory — historic observatory in Richmond, Indiana, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 227.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m 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 129.1 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 37 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 Highland, 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 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 64.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.9 miles (I 865): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Indiana Dunes National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Highland, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
