Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Saint Joseph, IN to Jefferson, IN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 1m
Distance
154 mi
248 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 50m
★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 24m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 7m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 23m
8 PM
2h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Joseph, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Jefferson, IN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Saint Joseph, IN to Jefferson, IN is 154 miles and takes about 3h 1m via I 65 and SR 28, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route is entirely within Indiana, taking you through the Midwest region. Expect a predominantly highway experience for most of the trip. With a single day recommended, this drive is best suited for those looking for an efficient way to travel between these two points without needing an overnight stay. It’s a straightforward trip where you'll spend most of your time on major roads.
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
77 miles from Saint Joseph, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 141.1 mi | 2h 38m |
| SR 28 | 3.6 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 |
| US 52 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| State Road 60 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 141.1 mi, about 2h 38m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 134 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,667 veh/hr typical · worst 4,368
Quietest
1 AM
~395 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 101 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 Saint Joseph, IN and Jefferson, 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
96 mi
·
1 hr 45 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 65
30 mi
·
35 min
·
I 65
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit onto US 52
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 52
Exit 141
Toward US 52 West
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
12
Merge onto I 65
16 mi
·
16 min
·
I 65
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 158
Toward SR 28: Attica, Frankfort
14
Turn right onto SR 28
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
SR 28
15
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Washington Street
16
Arrive at destination
Washington Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, starting your drive anytime in the morning or early afternoon will allow you to complete the 154 miles well before evening. The route is mostly highway, so fuel stops are generally frequent, but keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the 141.1-mile stretch on I 65. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; consider leaving a bit later if you want to maximize your morning before departing. The fuel cost is estimated at $24, so factor that into your budget. Plan for a brief stop about halfway if you need to stretch your legs.
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 77 miles from Saint Joseph, IN, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141.1 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 34 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77 miles or 1h 31m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson, 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 154 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 141.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77 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 141.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
TA
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Lebanon Rest Area - I65 SB
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
Horner Industrial Group
0.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 8.4 and 150 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
8.4 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
104.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
|
I 65
Keep slight right at fork onto I 65
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
134 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
|
US 52
Take the exit onto US 52 toward US 52 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 141
Toward US 52 West
5
134.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
150 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward SR 28: Attica, Frankfort
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 158
Toward SR 28: Attica, Frankfort
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.69 one way
$51.38 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $27.92 | $55.84 |
| premium | $5.26 | $31.89 | $63.77 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $37.46 | $74.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.2 | 0 | $16.17 | $7.39 |
| Efficient EV | 38.5 | 0 | $13.48 | $6.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.6 | 0 | $21.56 | $9.86 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Saint Joseph, IN
Morning in Saint Joseph on Sunday
Local time
10:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Sunny
NE 7 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 10:06AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 6:52AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Destination
Jefferson, IN
Morning in Jefferson on Sunday
Local time
10:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Sunny
NNE 3 to 9 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 10:06AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 6:52AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
72°F
Beech Grove, IN
77 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
1 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 1m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 96% highway, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for the vast majority of the 154 miles. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 141.1 miles, all on I 65. You'll experience a significant amount of cruising on this interstate before transitioning to surface roads like SR 28 and US 31 for the final portion of the trip. Be prepared for numerous exits and entrances as you navigate the interstate system.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 141.1 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and SR 28. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 8.4 miles in near I 65.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 154 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.4 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.2 miles (I 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 134 miles (US 52): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
934 ft
540 ft
Total Climb
483 ft
Total Descent
183 ft
Highest Point
934 ft
~132 mi in
Elevation Range
393 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Saint Joseph, IN
Full guide →Arriving in Jefferson, IN
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 154 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m 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 141.1 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.4 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.2 miles (I 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 134 miles (US 52): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Jefferson, 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, 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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