Origin
Saint Joseph, IN
Morning in Saint Joseph on Sunday
Local time
6:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Joseph, IN to Coal Creek, IN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 38m
Distance
185.9 mi
299 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 26m
★
6 AM
3h 39m
8 AM
4h 4m
10 AM
3h 47m
12 PM
3h 45m
3 PM
3h 49m
5 PM
4h 2m
8 PM
3h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Joseph, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Coal Creek, IN
Ken Cheatham
Trip Overview
Saint Joseph, IN to Coal Creek, IN is 185.9 miles and takes about 3h 38m via I 65, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Midwest, specifically Indiana, making it a straightforward journey. It's primarily a highway-focused drive, meaning you'll cover ground efficiently. Given the relatively short duration and clear path, this trip is ideal for a single day, allowing ample time for departure and arrival without feeling rushed. Plan for a quick, no-fuss trip across the heart of Indiana.
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
93 miles from Saint Joseph, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 89.8 mi | 1h 37m |
| I 74 | 76.4 mi | 1h 23m |
| South Stringtown Road | 5.7 mi | 13m |
| I 69 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| US 31 | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Perry Crossing Road | 2.7 mi | 6m |
| State Road 111 | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Memphis-Blue Lick Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 89.8 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Joseph, IN and Coal Creek, IN.
1
Start on Grant Line Road
233 ft
·
4 sec
·
Grant Line Road
2
Continue on State Road 111
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
State Road 111
3
Turn right onto SR 60
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
State Road 60
4
Turn left onto Perry Crossing Road
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Perry Crossing Road
5
Turn left onto US 31
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
US 31
6
Turn left onto Memphis-Blue Lick Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Memphis-Blue Lick Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
8
Merge onto I 65
90 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
I 65
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 106
Toward I 465 West, I 74West, I 465 East, I 74 East: Peoria, Cincinnati
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 69; I 74; I 465
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
I 69; I 74; I 465
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; I 465
11 mi
·
12 min
·
I 74; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
66 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
I 74
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 8
Toward Covington
15
Turn left onto South Stringtown Road
5.7 mi
·
13 min
·
South Stringtown Road
16
Continue on West Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Street
17
Arrive at destination
West Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under four hours, this route is perfect for a same-day trip. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and allow for any unexpected delays. Since the longest stretch without a major exit is nearly 90 miles on I 65, make sure your fuel tank is adequately filled before embarking on that segment. While there's only one indicated stop on this route, you'll have plenty of flexibility to add more if needed, given the manageable distance. Keep an eye on road conditions, especially if traveling during inclement weather, as highway travel can be impacted.
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 93 miles from Saint Joseph, IN, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.8 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 41 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93 miles or 1h 47m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Coal Creek, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Saint Joseph, 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 Saint Joseph, IN
This is one driving day of about 185.9 miles and 3h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Saint Joseph, 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 89.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 93 miles from Saint Joseph, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 98.2 and 114 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
98.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 465 West, I 74West, I 465 East, I 74 East: Peoria, Cincinnati
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 106
Toward I 465 West, I 74West, I 465 East, I 74 E...
8
98.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
5
98.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
|
I 69; I 74; I 465
Merge onto I 69; I 74; I 465
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
103.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
|
I 74; I 465
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; I 465
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
114 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
|
I 74
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.06 one way
$58.13 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.91 | $63.82 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.77 | $71.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.04 | $82.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.8 | 0 | $19.52 | $8.92 |
| Efficient EV | 46.5 | 0 | $16.27 | $7.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.4 | 0 | $26.03 | $11.90 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
Coal Creek, IN
Morning in Coal Creek on Sunday
Local time
6:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Greenwood, IN
93 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
11 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 38m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for 93% of your journey, primarily utilizing I 65 and I 74. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 89.8 miles on I 65, so settle in for a period of consistent cruising. While the majority is interstate, there's a small portion that involves local roads like South Stringtown Road, offering a slight change of pace before you reach your destination. This route is designed for making good time, with minimal distractions and a clear path ahead.
93% 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: 89.8 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 74. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 98.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 185.9 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 98.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.7 miles (I 69; I 74; I 465): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Saint Joseph, IN to Coal Creek, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Cincinnati along the way.
Cincinnati
98.2 mi in
|
~1h 53m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 38m. Total distance: 185.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.8 miles on I 65. 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 Coal Creek, 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 98.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.7 miles (I 69; I 74; I 465): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Coal Creek, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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