Embark on a 249.9-mile journey from Wabash, Indiana, to Evansville, Indiana, a drive that will take approximately 4 hours and 58 minutes. This route is primarily highway-focused, with 83% of it on major roads like I-69 and SR 37, making it a manageable one-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $39, it’s an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The drive offers a straightforward path connecting two points within the same state, requiring just one planned stop along the way. Its direct nature makes it ideal for those seeking an efficient way to get from point A to point B.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
124.9 miles from Wabash, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 69
178.6 mi
3h 17m
SR 37
15.3 mi
19m
Southwood Drive
14.4 mi
20m
SR 13
9.3 mi
11m
North 900 West
6 mi
8m
South 800 West
5.6 mi
8m
North 800 West
4.1 mi
5m
East Lloyd Expressway
3.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 178.6 mi, about 3h 17m
Traffic on I-465
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 80 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,704 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~471 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 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 Wabash, IN and Evansville, IN.
1
Start on East Main Street
65 ft·8 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn left onto SR 13
1.2 mi·1 min·South Wabash Street
3
Turn slight right onto SR 13
14 mi·20 min·Southwood Drive
4
At end of road, turn right onto SR 13; SR 18
0.4 mi·41 sec·East Marion Street
5
Turn left onto SR 13; SR 19
4.1 mi·5 min·North 800 West
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on SR 13; SR 19
0.8 mi·2 min·North Washington Street
7
Continue on SR 13; SR 19
5.6 mi·8 min·South 800 West
8
Continue on SR 13
3.2 mi·4 min·State Road 13
9
Continue on SR 13
6.0 mi·8 min·North 900 West
10
Continue on SR 13
2.9 mi·4 min·North Anderson Street
11
Turn right onto SR 37; SR 13
2.4 mi·2 min·SR 37; SR 13
12
Continue on SR 13; SR 37
9.3 mi·11 min·SR 13; SR 37
13
Enter roundabout onto SR 37
105 ft·1 sec·SR 37
14
Continue on SR 37
13 mi·17 min·SR 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 69
3.1 mi·3 min·I 69
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
1.0 mi·1 min·I 69
Use the slight right lane.
17
Continue on I 69
22 mi·25 min·I 69
Exit 200Toward I 465 South, I 69 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
48 mi·54 min·I 69
Exit 5Toward I 69 South: EvansvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69
104 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 69
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·39 sec
Exit 10Toward Lynch Road
21
Turn slight right
153 ft·4 sec
22
Turn straight onto Lynch Road
498 ft·15 sec·Lynch Road
23
Turn left onto North Burkhardt Road
2.5 mi·4 min·North Burkhardt Road
24
Turn right onto SR 66
3.9 mi·4 min·East Lloyd Expressway
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward US 41 South
26
Merge onto US 41; SR 66
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 41; SR 66
27
Turn right onto East Walnut Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Walnut Street
28
Turn right
332 ft·25 sec
29
At end of road, turn right
123 ft·9 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 58-minute duration, this trip is best tackled in a single day. Consider an early morning departure from Wabash to maximize your daylight hours and arrive in Evansville with time to spare. With only one stop recommended for this 249.9-mile drive, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps midway through your longest stretch on I-69. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches where services might be less frequent. The estimated $39 fuel cost should help you budget accordingly for this efficient Midwest transit.
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 124.9 miles from Wabash, IN, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 178.6 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 55 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.9 miles or 2h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Evansville, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wabash, 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 Wabash, IN
This is one driving day of about 249.9 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Wabash, 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 69 for about 178.6 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 16 and 137.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
16 mi into trip|~22m in|SR 13; SR 19 / North 800 West
Turn left onto SR 13; SR 19 / North 800 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
66.3 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|I 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
67.3 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|I 69
Continue onto I 69 toward I 465 South, I 69 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 200
Toward I 465 South, I 69 South
8
89.1 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|I 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69 toward I 69 South: Evansville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
5
137.5 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|I 69
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69 toward I 69 South: Evansville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.90 one way
$73.81 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$40.74
$81.48
premium
$4.72
$46.40
$92.80
diesel
$4.80
$47.19
$94.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75
0
$26.24
$12.00
Efficient EV
62.5
0
$21.87
$10.00
EV Truck/SUV
100
1
$34.99
$15.99
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Wabash, IN
Evening
in Wabash on Monday
Local time
8:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 5 to 15 mph80% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:07AM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Evansville, IN
Evening
in Evansville on Monday
Local time
7:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 3 to 10 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:07AM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
66°F
Beech Grove, IN
125 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
4 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
4h 58m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The British flag would not be raised above Fort Sackville Feb. 25, 1779. At 10 A.M., the garrison surrendered to American Colonel George Rogers Clark. His American army, aided by French residents of t...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 208.2
Abraham Lincoln grew from youth to manhood on this southern Indiana soil. Many character and moral traits of one of the world's most respected leaders was formed and nurtured here. Explore Lincoln's b...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 235.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 83% of the 249.9 miles utilizing major roadways. You'll spend the majority of your time on I-69, experiencing a consistent pace for the longest stretch of 178.6 miles. While I-69 and SR 37 form the backbone of this route, expect a practical, no-frills driving experience. The road primarily facilitates efficient travel rather than offering extensive scenic detours. The character remains consistent, emphasizing forward momentum across the Indiana landscape.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 178.6 mi on I 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and SR 37. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16 miles in near SR 13; SR 19 / North 800 West.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 249.9 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 16 miles (SR 13; SR 19 / North 800 West): Lane positioning matters here; at 66.3 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.3 miles (I 69): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Evansville is the largest city in Southern Indiana and the third-largest city in the state. It is the county seat of Vanderburgh County and the regional hub for the Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois tri-state area. In 2010, the city had a population of 117,000. In 2008 the Evansville metropolitan area was home to 350,000 people.
Top landmarks
•University of Evansville — private university in Evansville, Indiana, United States
•USS LST-325 — 1942 LST-1-class tank landing ship, later converted to a museum ship
•Masonic Temple — Masonic temple in Evansville, Indiana, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 249.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 178.6 miles on I 69. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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.
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 Evansville, 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. There are 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 16 miles (SR 13; SR 19 / North 800 West): Lane positioning matters here; at 66.3 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.3 miles (I 69): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — George Rogers Clark National Historical Park and Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Evansville, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
