How far is Lafayette, IN from Clarksville, IN?

The driving distance from Lafayette, IN to Clarksville, IN is about 173.2 miles (278.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 158.1 miles (254.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
173.17 mi
03h 16m
Flight
158.13 mi
254.48 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lafayette.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
158.13 mi
Kilometers
254.48 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
173.17 mi
Kilometers
278.69 km
Drive Time
03h 16m

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 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clarksville
Wed, May 13, 12:17 AM EDT
Return by in Lafayette
Wed, May 13, 3:34 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lafayette
2026-05-12T21:00
Arrive Clarksville
Wed, May 13, 12:17 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:17 AM to 11:17 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:26 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lafayette
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Franklin
IN

City in Johnson County, Indiana, United States

From Lafayette
86.6 mi
01h 38m
To Clarksville
86.6 mi
01h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
79°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 7 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lafayette and Clarksville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette and Clarksville.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    56 m · 16 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Douglas Street

    50 m · 8 sec · Douglas Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Grant Street

    11 m · 4 sec · Grant Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South Street

    2.8 mi · 6 min · South Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward I 65 South: Indianapolis

    1898 ft · 25 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    42.4 mi · 46 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    17.1 mi · 22 min

  8. 8

    Continue on I 70 East: Dayton

    1.9 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    107.9 mi · 1 hr 58 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Eastern Boulevard

    1007 ft · 22 sec

  11. 11

    Turn straight

    1322 ft · 27 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Eastern Boulevard

    991 ft · 35 sec · Eastern Boulevard

  13. 13

    Turn left onto East Brooks Avenue

    10 m · 1 sec · East Brooks Avenue

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Brooks Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lafayette and Clarksville.

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
14 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 70 East
110 mi · 63%
I 65 South
59.8 mi · 35%
South Street
2.81 mi · 2%
Eastern Boulevard
0.38 mi
Douglas Street
0.03 mi
Grant Street
0.01 mi
Longest Stretch

I 70 East

Keep slight left

108 mi · 01h 58m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 16m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.1 mi
158.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Franklin
01h 38m from Lafayette
Leave By
10:26 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Lafayette and Sunny near Clarksville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lafayette to Clarksville?

The road trip is about 173.2 miles (278.7 km) and usually takes 03h 16m 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?

Franklin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.6 miles from Lafayette and 86.6 miles from Clarksville.

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

The direct path is about 158.1 miles (254.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.1 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 10:26 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.04 one way or $46.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lafayette and Sunny near Clarksville.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lafayette and Clarksville. Straight-line distance: 158.13 mi (254.48 km).

Lafayette

#1 Lafayette

The most populous city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.

Population71,484
Coordinates40.4167000, -86.8752900
Altitude211
CountryUnited States
Clarksville

#2 Clarksville

Town in Clark County, Indiana, United States

Population21,447
Coordinates38.2967400, -85.7599600
Altitude139
CountryUnited States
Start: Lafayette (-86.87529, 40.4167)
End: Clarksville (-85.75996, 38.29674)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 279 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.11 gal
23.13 L · about $23.04
Round trip
$46.08
12.22 gal · 46.26 L
Estimated CO2
54.3 kg one way
Round trip: 108.6 kg / 239 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.04 $46.08
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.99 $51.97
Premium $4.65 $28.44 $56.87
Diesel $5.30 $32.41 $64.81

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Lafayette and Clarksville. The current time is 21:00:27.

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.