Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
Near the start, right off the route
Scottsburg, Indiana
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+18127529346
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 6m
Distance
152.3 mi
245 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Fair
2 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Joseph, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Indian Heights, IN
Yogendra Singh
Saint Joseph, IN to Indian Heights, IN is 152.3 miles and takes about 3h 6m via I 65 and I 69, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Indiana, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a straightforward drive primarily on major interstates, making it a good option for a quick one-day excursion. The route is efficient, suitable for those looking to cover ground without extensive planning.
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
76.1 miles from Saint Joseph, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 86.7 mi | 1h 33m |
| North Meridian Street | 26.8 mi | 34m |
| I 69 | 14 mi | 16m |
| Keystone Parkway | 5 mi | 7m |
| I 465 | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| US 31 | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Perry Crossing Road | 2.7 mi | 6m |
| SR 931 | 2.6 mi | 4m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 80 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,714 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~472 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 48 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Joseph, IN and Indian Heights, IN.
Start on Grant Line Road
Continue on State Road 111
Turn right onto SR 60
Turn left onto Perry Crossing Road
Turn left onto US 31
Turn left onto Memphis-Blue Lick Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto East Southport Road
Turn left onto South Emerson Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 69; I 74; I 465
Continue on I 69; I 465
Keep slight left at fork onto I 465
Continue on I-465 WB
Continue on I 465
Take the exit
Turn right
Merge onto North Keystone Avenue
Enter roundabout
Continue
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto Keystone Parkway
Merge onto US 31
Take the exit onto SR 931
Turn right onto Tomahawk Boulevard
Turn left onto Arrowhead Boulevard
Arrive at destination
With a drive time of just over 3 hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to maximize daylight and ensure you have plenty of time for any unscheduled stops. The fuel cost is estimated at $24, so plan accordingly. Since the longest stretch on I 65 is 86.7 miles, you might want to take a brief break before or after that segment. The relatively short duration gives you flexibility to leave when convenient.
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.
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 34 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.1 miles or 1h 28m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Indian Heights, IN than in the middle of the route.
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 152.3 miles and 3h 6m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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.
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 76.1 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 86.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · first break window
Scottsburg, Indiana
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+18127529346
Puerto Vallarta Mexican Restaurant
Scottsburg, Indiana
Mela Indian Restaurant
Indianapolis, Indiana
Best coffee break · final third
Carmel, Indiana
Later in the drive, right off the route
Hours: 6 am–2 pm
+13175644149
Coffee Crossing
Sellersburg, Indiana
Capstone Cafe & Bookstore
Carmel, Indiana
Near the start, right off the route
Scottsburg, Indiana
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+18127529346
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Scottsburg, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+18122000041
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Indianapolis, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm
+13178692400
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Henryville, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+18122943343
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Carmel, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm
+13179369445
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Carmel, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–3 pm
+13178480189
Around the midpoint, short detour
Beech Grove, IN
Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm
+13177552370
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Carmel, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–12 pm
+13176692256
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Carmel, Indiana
Hours: 6 am–2 pm
+13175644149
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Sellersburg, Indiana
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+18129138177
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Carmel, Indiana
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+13175669132
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Kokomo, Indiana
Hours: 12–5 pm
+17654526224
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
New Albany, Indiana
Hours: 6:30 am–10 pm
+18129812633
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Sellersburg, Indiana
Hours: 6 am–7 pm
+18127487000
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Kokomo, Indiana
Hours: 8 am–3 pm
+13179340022
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Columbus, Indiana
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+18129005551
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Kokomo, Indiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Kokomo, Indiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Seymour, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+18122711298
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
New Whiteland, Indiana
Hours: 9 am–9 pm
+13175357070
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Franklin, Indiana
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+13174946313
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 95.2 and 117.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward Southport Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Keystone Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right toward North Keystone Parkway, West 96th Street, West 98th Street, East 96th Street
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto North Keystone Avenue
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Enter roundabout toward North Keystone Parkway, East 98th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$25.41 one way
$50.81 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $27.61 | $55.22 |
| premium | $5.26 | $31.53 | $63.07 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $37.05 | $74.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.7 | 0 | $15.99 | $7.31 |
| Efficient EV | 38.1 | 0 | $13.33 | $6.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.9 | 0 | $21.32 | $9.75 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Saint Joseph on Tuesday
Local time
5:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Sunny
Destination
Late night in Indian Heights on Tuesday
Local time
5:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Patchy Frost then Sunny
48°F
Beech Grove, IN
76 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
You'll spend about 76% of the 152.3 miles on highways, with the longest continuous stretch covering 86.7 miles on I 65. This means you'll experience sustained cruising before transitioning to surface streets like North Meridian Street as you approach your destination. The interstate segments offer a consistent driving experience with relatively fewer exits compared to local roads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and North Meridian Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 95.2 miles in.
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 152.3 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 95.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
470 ft
Total Descent
172 ft
Highest Point
922 ft
~130.5 mi in
Elevation Range
388 ft
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 152.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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