How far is Jefferson, IN from Indianapolis, IN?

The driving distance from Jefferson, IN to Indianapolis, IN is about 49.6 miles (79.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 42.1 miles (67.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 46m 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
49.59 mi
00h 53m
Flight
42.07 mi
67.7 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Jefferson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
42.07 mi
Kilometers
67.7 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
49.59 mi
Kilometers
79.81 km
Drive Time
00h 53m

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 00h 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Indianapolis
Tue, May 5, 1:33 AM EDT
Return by in Jefferson
Tue, May 5, 2:26 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Jefferson
2026-05-05T00:40
Arrive Indianapolis
Tue, May 5, 1:33 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:53 AM to 10:53 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:44 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Jefferson
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
Lebanon
IN

City in Indiana, United States

From Jefferson
24.7 mi
00h 26m
To Indianapolis
24.9 mi
00h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
16 mph WSW
Destination
67°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
13 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Washington Street

    669 ft · 20 sec · Washington Street

  2. 2

    Turn right

    3.8 mi · 6 min

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left toward I 65 South: Indianapolis

    1760 ft · 43 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    28.2 mi · 30 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left

    15.4 mi · 20 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street

    2173 ft · 45 sec

  7. 7

    Continue on North West Street

    2413 ft · 1 min · North West Street

  8. 8

    Turn slight left onto Indiana Avenue

    2140 ft · 1 min · Indiana Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn right onto North Capitol Avenue

    1017 ft · 44 sec · North Capitol Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn left onto West Market Street

    864 ft · 36 sec · West Market Street

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn right

    78 m · 28 sec

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 65 South
43.9 mi · 89%
North West Street
0.46 mi · 1%
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street
0.41 mi · 1%
Indiana Avenue
0.41 mi · 1%
North Capitol Avenue
0.19 mi
West Market Street
0.16 mi
Longest Stretch

I 65 South

Merge slight left

28.2 mi · 00h 30m

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
00h 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.5 mi
42.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lebanon
00h 26m from Jefferson
Leave By
4:44 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Jefferson and Showers And Thunderstorms near Indianapolis.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 49.6 miles (79.8 km) and usually takes 00h 53m 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?

Lebanon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.7 miles from Jefferson and 24.9 miles from Indianapolis.

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

The direct path is about 42.1 miles (67.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.5 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 4:44 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.60 one way or $13.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Lebanon

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lebanon, 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 Lebanon.

BUS

Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana

37 mi away
1000 Smith Ave
RAIL

Crawfordsville

37 mi away
Spring and Green Streets
RAIL

Indianapolis Union Station

41 mi away
350 South Illinois Street
RAIL

Lafayette station

55 mi away
200 North 2nd St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Jefferson and Indianapolis. Straight-line distance: 42.07 mi (67.7 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Jefferson

Unincorporated community in Clinton County, Indiana

Population2,523
Coordinates40.2794800, -86.5900000
Altitude262
CountryUnited States
Indianapolis

#2 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
Start: Washington Street (-86.589977, 40.27948)
End: Monument Circle (-86.158009, 39.768033)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 80 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.75 gal
6.62 L · about $6.60
Round trip
$13.20
3.5 gal · 13.24 L
Estimated CO2
15.6 kg one way
Round trip: 31.1 kg / 69 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.60 $13.20
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.44 $14.89
Premium $4.65 $8.14 $16.29
Diesel $5.30 $9.28 $18.56

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 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Jefferson and Indianapolis. The current time is 00:40:20.

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.