How far is Indianapolis, IN from Paoli, IN?

The driving distance from Indianapolis, IN to Paoli, IN is about 97.4 miles (156.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 85.4 miles (137.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
97.42 mi
02h 00m
Flight
85.39 mi
137.42 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Indianapolis.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
85.39 mi
Kilometers
137.42 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
97.42 mi
Kilometers
156.79 km
Drive Time
02h 00m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Paoli
Tue, May 26, 2:17 AM EDT
Return by in Indianapolis
Tue, May 26, 4:18 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Indianapolis
2026-05-26T00:16
Arrive Paoli
Tue, May 26, 2:17 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:01 AM to 12:01 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:28 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Indianapolis
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Bloomington
IN

The most populous city in Monroe County, Indiana.

From Indianapolis
48.8 mi
01h 00m
To Paoli
48.7 mi
01h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph ESE
Destination
81°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Indianapolis and Paoli.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Indianapolis and Paoli.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    78 m · 33 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left

    11 m · 10 sec

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Monument Circle

    93 m · 13 sec · Monument Circle

  4. 4

    Turn right onto North Meridian Street

    2385 ft · 2 min · North Meridian Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Madison Avenue

    152 m · 22 sec · Madison Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left onto East Henry Street

    106 m · 13 sec · East Henry Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto South Pennsylvania Street

    966 ft · 33 sec · South Pennsylvania Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Madison Avenue

    145 m · 18 sec · Madison Avenue

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Madison Avenue

    2.5 mi · 5 min · Madison Avenue

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on South East Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · South East Street

  11. 11

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 465, I 74

    159 m · 13 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on I 465 West, I 74 West

    1411 ft · 35 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    2.1 mi · 2 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on I 69 South: Evansville

    48.5 mi · 55 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on SR 37 South: Bedford

    41.6 mi · 52 min

  16. 16

    Enter the roundabout toward Northwest Court Street

    723 ft · 9 sec · Northwest Court Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Court Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Indianapolis and Paoli.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 69 South
48.5 mi · 50%
SR 37 South
41.6 mi · 43%
Madison Avenue
2.65 mi · 3%
I 465 West
2.33 mi · 2%
South East Street
1.29 mi · 1%
North Meridian Street
0.45 mi
Longest Stretch

I 69 South

Keep slight right to continue on I 69 South: Evansville

48.5 mi · 00h 55m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 00m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12 mi
85.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bloomington
01h 00m from Indianapolis
Leave By
2:28 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Indianapolis and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Paoli.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Indianapolis to Paoli?

The road trip is about 97.4 miles (156.8 km) and usually takes 02h 00m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Bloomington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.8 miles from Indianapolis and 48.7 miles from Paoli.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 85.4 miles (137.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 12 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:28 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.97 one way or $25.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Indianapolis and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Paoli.

Stop Ideas Near Bloomington

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Bloomington, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bloomington.

RAIL

Indianapolis Union Station

73 mi away
350 South Illinois Street
RAIL

Crawfordsville

103 mi away
Spring and Green Streets
BUS

Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana

106 mi away
1000 Smith Ave

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Indianapolis and Paoli. Straight-line distance: 85.39 mi (137.42 km).

Indianapolis

#1 Indianapolis

The sixteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Indianapolis metropolitan area.

Population877,903
Coordinates39.7683800, -86.1580400
Altitude218
CountryUnited States
Paoli

#2 Paoli

Town in Indiana, United States

Population3,604
Coordinates38.5561700, -86.4683200
Altitude190
CountryUnited States
Start: Indianapolis (-86.15804, 39.76838)
End: Paoli (-86.46832, 38.55617)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 157 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.44 gal
13.01 L · about $12.97
Round trip
$25.94
6.88 gal · 26.02 L
Estimated CO2
30.6 kg one way
Round trip: 61.1 kg / 135 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.97 $25.94
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.63 $29.26
Premium $4.65 $16.01 $32.02
Diesel $5.30 $18.25 $36.49

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Indiana · May 26, 2026

There is no time difference between Indianapolis and Paoli. The current time is 00:16:22.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.