How far is Lafayette, IN from Charlestown, IN?
The driving distance from Lafayette, IN to Charlestown, IN is about 164.9 miles (265.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 150.1 miles (241.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 03h 13m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Unincorporated community in Johnson County, Indiana
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lafayette and Charlestown.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette and Charlestown.
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1
Start on the route
56 m · 16 sec
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2
Turn right onto Douglas Street
50 m · 8 sec · Douglas Street
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3
Turn left onto Grant Street
11 m · 4 sec · Grant Street
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4
Turn right onto South Street
2.8 mi · 6 min · South Street
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5
Take the ramp right toward I 65 South: Indianapolis
1898 ft · 25 sec
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6
Merge slight left
42.4 mi · 46 min
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7
Keep slight left
17.1 mi · 22 min
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8
Continue on I 70 East: Dayton
1.9 mi · 3 min
-
9
Keep slight left
90.9 mi · 1 hr 40 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward SR 160: Henryville, Charlestown
1344 ft · 25 sec
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11
Keep slight left
23 m · 2 sec
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12
Turn left
3108 ft · 1 min
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13
Continue on County Road 160
8.4 mi · 15 min · County Road 160
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14
Turn left onto County Road 403
130 m · 11 sec · County Road 403
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Road 403
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lafayette and Charlestown.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 70 East
Keep slight left
90.9 mi · 01h 40m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Lafayette and Sunny near Charlestown.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lafayette to Charlestown?
The road trip is about 164.9 miles (265.4 km) and usually takes 03h 13m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Needham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.5 miles from Lafayette and 82.5 miles from Charlestown.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 150.1 miles (241.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:32 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.95 one way or $43.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lafayette and Sunny near Charlestown.
Stop Ideas Near Needham
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Needham.
Indianapolis Union Station
Connersville station
Crawfordsville
Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lafayette and Charlestown. Straight-line distance: 150.14 mi (241.62 km).
#1 Lafayette
The most populous city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.
| Population | 71,484 |
| Coordinates | 40.4167000, -86.8752900 |
| Altitude | 211 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Charlestown
City in Clark County, Indiana, United States
| Population | 8,544 |
| Coordinates | 38.4531200, -85.6702400 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: Charlestown (-85.67024, 38.45312)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 265 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.95 | $43.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.75 | $49.50 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.09 | $54.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.87 | $61.74 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.