Connecting Shelbyville to Terre Haute, this 102.7-mile journey across Indiana takes approximately 2 hours and 1 minute to complete. Since the entire drive is located within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the trip. It is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Budgeting around $16 for fuel should cover your needs for this direct transit. Whether you are heading west for business or a quick getaway, the route offers a straightforward path between the two cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.4 miles from Shelbyville, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
67.3 mi
1h 13m
I 74
18.6 mi
19m
East Raymond Street
7.8 mi
12m
South 3rd Street
2.4 mi
5m
North Riley Highway
1.6 mi
2m
Sam Jones Expressway
1.5 mi
2m
Southeastern Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
North Harrison Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 67.3 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shelbyville, IN and Terre Haute, IN.
1
Start on SR 9; SR 44
0.2 mi·17 sec·South Harrison Street
2
Enter roundabout onto SR 9
400 ft·6 sec·North Harrison Street
3
Continue on SR 9
0.4 mi·35 sec·North Harrison Street
4
Continue on North Riley Highway
0.1 mi·11 sec·North Riley Highway
5
Keep slight right at fork onto North Riley Highway
0.6 mi·52 sec·North Riley Highway
6
Turn slight right onto SR 9
0.9 mi·1 min·North Riley Highway
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 74 West, US 421 North: Indianapolis
8
Merge onto I 74; US 421
19 mi·19 min·I 74; US 421
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on this road
1.2 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 94Toward Southeastern Avenue
10
Continue on Southeastern Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Southeastern Avenue
11
Turn slight left onto East Raymond Street
7.8 mi·12 min·East Raymond Street
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on Sam Jones Expressway
1.5 mi·2 min·Sam Jones Expressway
Use the left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 70 WestUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 70
67 mi·1 hr 13 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 7Toward US 41, US 150: Terre Haute, Evansville
16
Turn right onto US 41; US 150
2.4 mi·5 min·South 3rd Street
17
Arrive at destination
US 41; US 150
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time to avoid potential traffic. You can easily complete the 102.7-mile distance without needing to build in lengthy stops, though keeping your fuel budget of $16 in mind for a quick refill is a smart move. Because the route relies on a mix of major highways and local streets, stay alert when transitioning off the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Make sure to double-check your GPS navigation specifically when you hit the turn-heavy sections near East Raymond Street to ensure you stay on track. This route's efficiency makes it an excellent candidate for a stress-free, one-day transit.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 51.4 miles from Shelbyville, IN, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.3 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 23 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.4 miles or 1h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Terre Haute, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Shelbyville, 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 Shelbyville, IN
This is one driving day of about 102.7 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Shelbyville, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway for about 67.3 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 100.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 9 / North Harrison Street
Enter roundabout onto SR 9 / North Harrison Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
2.2 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 74 West, US 421 North: Indianapolis
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 74 West, US 421 North: Indianapolis
5
2.4 mi into trip|~4m in|I 74; US 421
Merge onto I 74; US 421
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
32.3 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 70 West
6
100.1 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward US 41, US 150: Terre Haute, Evansville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 7
Toward US 41, US 150: Terre Haute, Evansville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.06 one way
$32.11 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.63
$35.26
premium
$4.89
$19.76
$39.53
diesel
$5.61
$22.67
$45.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.8
0
$10.78
$4.93
Efficient EV
25.7
0
$8.99
$4.11
EV Truck/SUV
41.1
0
$14.38
$6.57
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Shelbyville, IN
Morning
in Shelbyville on Sunday
Local time
11:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Terre Haute, IN
Morning
in Terre Haute on Sunday
Local time
11:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 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
2h 1m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied driving experience that transitions from high-speed transit to turn-heavy local navigation. While only 20% of the journey is spent on highways, you will encounter a significant 67.3-mile stretch along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Following this primary segment, the route shifts into a more technical drive utilizing I-74 and East Raymond Street. Be prepared for these tighter turns as you move off the main interstate and navigate toward your destination. The contrast between these open highway miles and the more intricate local road sections keeps the drive engaging from start to finish.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.3 mi on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near SR 9 / North Harrison Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 102.7 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.2 miles (SR 9 / North Harrison Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.4 miles (I 74; US 421): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
879 ft582 ft
Total Climb
287 ft
Total Descent
493 ft
Highest Point
879 ft
~68.5 mi in
Elevation Range
297 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 1m. Total distance: 102.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (20%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.3 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.2 miles (SR 9 / North Harrison Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.4 miles (I 74; US 421): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Terre Haute, IN before heading back.
