This 278.7-mile drive from Walnut, Indiana, to Evansville, Indiana, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 30 minutes. With 97% of the route on highways, it's designed for efficient travel, making it an ideal one-day trip. You'll primarily be on I-69, US-31, and I-465, all major thoroughfares that keep you moving. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $44, which is quite reasonable for a journey of this length. Both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, so you'll be experiencing consistent Midwestern landscapes throughout.
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
139.4 miles from Walnut, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 69
151.7 mi
2h 45m
US 31
91 mi
1h 54m
I 465
24.4 mi
28m
East Lloyd Expressway
3.9 mi
4m
North Burkhardt Road
2.5 mi
4m
State Road 110
1.1 mi
1m
East Walnut Street
0.7 mi
1m
20 C Road
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 151.7 mi, about 2h 45m
Traffic on I-465
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 132 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~4,442 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,164
Quietest
2 AM
~364 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Walnut, IN and Evansville, IN.
1
Start on 20 C Road
0.4 mi·1 min·20 C Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto South Iris Road
0.3 mi·1 min·South Iris Road
3
Turn right onto SR 110
1.1 mi·1 min·State Road 110
4
Turn left onto US 31
77 mi·1 hr 35 min·US 31
5
Turn right onto East 226th Street
270 ft·10 sec·East 226th Street
6
Turn left
320 ft·50 sec
7
Continue on this road
320 ft·25 sec·this road
8
Turn right onto East 226th Street
270 ft·9 sec·East 226th Street
9
Turn right onto US 31
13 mi·17 min·US 31
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 31
0.6 mi·55 sec·US 31
Exit 123Toward I 465, US 31 SouthUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 465 WestUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 465
4.8 mi·5 min·I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 465
20 mi·23 min·I 465
Toward I 465 South
14
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 5Toward I 69 South: EvansvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 69
47 mi·53 min·I 69
Use the straight lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69
104 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 69
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·39 sec
Exit 10Toward Lynch Road
18
Turn slight right
153 ft·4 sec
19
Turn straight onto Lynch Road
498 ft·15 sec·Lynch Road
20
Turn left onto North Burkhardt Road
2.5 mi·4 min·North Burkhardt Road
21
Turn right onto SR 66
3.9 mi·4 min·East Lloyd Expressway
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward US 41 South
23
Merge onto US 41; SR 66
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 41; SR 66
24
Turn right onto East Walnut Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Walnut Street
25
Turn right
332 ft·25 sec
26
At end of road, turn right
123 ft·9 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 30-minute drive, starting early is your best bet to maximize daylight and arrive with ample time to spare. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility in scheduling your stops. Plan for one main stop, perhaps midway through the 151.7-mile stretch on I-69, to refuel and stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $44 estimated cost suggests it's a manageable expense, but it's always wise to top off before embarking on longer highway segments. This route is efficient, so focus on enjoying the journey without feeling rushed.
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 139.4 miles from Walnut, IN, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.7 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 61 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.4 miles or 2h 55m 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 32m
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 Walnut, 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 Walnut, IN
This is one driving day of about 278.7 miles and 5h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Walnut, 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 151.7 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 79.4 and 118.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
79.4 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|US 31
Turn right onto US 31
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
92.4 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|US 31
Take the exit onto US 31 toward I 465, US 31 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 123
Toward I 465, US 31 South
7
93.1 mi into trip|~2h in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 465 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 465 West
5
93.7 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|I 465
Merge onto I 465
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
118.1 mi into trip|~2h 30m in
Take the exit toward I 69 South: Evansville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.16 one way
$82.32 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$45.44
$90.87
premium
$4.72
$51.75
$103.49
diesel
$4.80
$52.62
$105.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.6
1
$29.26
$13.38
Efficient EV
69.7
0
$24.39
$11.15
EV Truck/SUV
111.5
1
$39.02
$17.84
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 19, 2026
Origin
Walnut, IN
Night
in Walnut on Monday
Local time
10:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Patchy Smoke
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 19 at 10:21AM CDT until July 19 at 4:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Evansville, IN
Night
in Evansville on Monday
Local time
9:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNE 5 mph40% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 19 at 10:21AM CDT until July 19 at 4:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
84°F
Clermont, IN
139 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
10 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
5h 30m 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 230.7
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 249.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 97% of your travel occurring on major roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 151.7 miles on I-69, offering a chance to settle in and make good time. This segment is characterized by its efficiency, allowing for consistent speeds and minimal interruptions. While the profile suggests a highway drive, be aware that transitions between these main roads might involve brief changes in road type as you navigate the network.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151.7 mi on I 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and US 31. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 79.4 miles in near US 31.
Driving Effort9/10
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 278.7 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 79.4 miles (US 31): Lane positioning matters here; at 92.4 miles (US 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 5h 30m. Total distance: 278.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 151.7 miles on I 69. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 79.4 miles (US 31): Lane positioning matters here; at 92.4 miles (US 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — George Rogers Clark National Historical Park and Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Evansville, IN before the return drive.
