Spanning 79.1 miles across Indiana, this straightforward drive from Terre Haute to Southport typically takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes to complete. It serves as an ideal day trip, making an overnight stay unnecessary unless you have other plans in the region. You should budget approximately $12 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Navigating through the Midwest, the route transitions from the state's western edge toward the Indianapolis area. Because the entire journey remains within Indiana, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the trip. It is a practical and efficient way to reach your destination without the need for multiple stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.5 miles from Terre Haute, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
61.2 mi
1h 6m
I 74
5.8 mi
6m
Kentucky Avenue
2.6 mi
4m
Madison Avenue
2 mi
3m
Ameriplex Parkway
1.7 mi
3m
1st Street
1.3 mi
2m
South 3rd Street
1.3 mi
2m
East Thompson Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 61.2 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Terre Haute, IN and Southport, IN.
1
Start on US 41; US 150
295 ft·15 sec·North 3rd Street
2
Turn left onto US 150
0.1 mi·18 sec·Cherry Street
3
Turn left onto 1st Street
1.3 mi·2 min·1st Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left onto Hulman Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·Hulman Street
5
Turn right onto US 41; US 150
1.3 mi·2 min·South 3rd Street
6
Turn left
0.3 mi·25 sec
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 70; US 40
61 mi·1 hr 6 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Indianapolis International Airport, Ronald Reagan Parkway, Ameriplex Parkway
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward South Ameriplex ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn straight onto Ameriplex Parkway
1.7 mi·3 min·Ameriplex Parkway
11
At end of road, turn left onto SR 67
2.6 mi·4 min·Kentucky Avenue
12
Take the ramp onto SR 67
0.3 mi·40 sec·SR 67
Toward I 74 East, I 465 East, SR 67 NorthUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto I 74; I 465
5.8 mi·6 min·I 74; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 2BToward US 31 South: East StreetUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto US 31
0.2 mi·17 sec·South East Street
16
Turn slight left
0.1 mi·33 sec
17
Turn left onto East Thompson Road
0.6 mi·1 min·East Thompson Road
18
Turn right onto Madison Avenue
2.0 mi·3 min·Madison Avenue
19
Turn right
99 ft·7 sec
20
Turn right
83 ft·6 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under two hours, you have significant flexibility with your departure schedule. You can easily complete the 79.1-mile journey in a single push, as there are no mandatory stops required to reach your destination. If you prefer to avoid heavier traffic, consider timing your departure to steer clear of peak commuting hours on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway segment. Keep in mind that because this is a turn-heavy route, having a reliable navigation system active will help you manage the transition onto Kentucky Avenue smoothly. With a $12 fuel budget, you can easily top off your tank in Terre Haute before departing to ensure a stress-free trip.
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 39.5 miles from Terre Haute, IN, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.2 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 17 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.5 miles or 45m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southport, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Terre Haute, IN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Terre Haute, IN
This is one driving day of about 79.1 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Terre Haute, 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 61.2 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 75.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3 mi into trip|~6m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
64.4 mi into trip|~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward Indianapolis International Airport, Ronald Reagan Parkway, Ameriplex Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Indianapolis International Airport, Rona...
7
64.6 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward South Ameriplex Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward South Ameriplex Parkway
6
69.7 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|SR 67
Take the ramp onto SR 67 toward I 74 East, I 465 East, SR 67 North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 74 East, I 465 East, SR 67 North
7
75.8 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward US 31 South: East Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2B
Toward US 31 South: East Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.37 one way
$24.73 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$13.58
$27.16
premium
$4.89
$15.22
$30.44
diesel
$5.61
$17.46
$34.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.7
0
$8.31
$3.80
Efficient EV
19.8
0
$6.92
$3.16
EV Truck/SUV
31.6
0
$11.07
$5.06
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Terre Haute, IN
Late night
in Terre Haute on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Southport, IN
Late night
in Southport on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Brooklyn, IN
40 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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 35m 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 experience behind the wheel, as this route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive. You will spend roughly 10% of your time on highways, with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway providing your longest uninterrupted stretch of 61.2 miles. Beyond that main artery, you will navigate via I-74 and Kentucky Avenue, which transition the drive into a more technical, local-road environment. The personality of the trip shifts from the steady, fast-paced rhythm of the interstate to the more frequent turns required on local roads as you near Southport. Stay alert, as the road surface and traffic patterns evolve significantly once you exit the major highway segments.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.2 mi on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.1 miles you will encounter 17 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 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 64.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
854 ft501 ft
Total Climb
545 ft
Total Descent
295 ft
Highest Point
854 ft
~39.5 mi in
Elevation Range
354 ft
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 Terre Haute, IN to Southport, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Indianapolis International Airport along the way.
Indianapolis International Airport
64.4 mi in|~1h 12m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 79.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.2 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Southport, IN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 64.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Southport, IN before heading back.
