How far is Lafayette, IN from Smith, IN?

The driving distance from Lafayette, IN to Smith, IN is about 125.5 miles (202 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 90 miles (144.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 55m 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
125.5 mi
02h 27m
Flight
90.06 mi
144.94 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lafayette.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
90.06 mi
Kilometers
144.94 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
125.5 mi
Kilometers
201.98 km
Drive Time
02h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Smith
Fri, Oct 16, 12:57 AM CDT
Return by in Lafayette
Fri, Oct 16, 4:25 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lafayette
2026-10-15T23:30
Arrive Smith
Fri, Oct 16, 1:57 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:28 AM to 11:28 AM CDT

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

Leave by
1:34 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lafayette
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
Shelby
IN

Census-designated place in Indiana, United States

From Lafayette
62.8 mi
01h 13m
To Smith
62.8 mi
01h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
This Afternoon

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 1:00 PM EDT
Wind
8 mph SSE
Destination
66°F
This Afternoon

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 12:00 PM CDT
Wind
10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 · 7 sec · Grant Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South Street

    151 m · 16 sec · South Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto North 18th Street

    1.6 mi · 4 min · North 18th Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Schuyler Avenue

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Schuyler Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on Hoosier Heartland Highway

    773 ft · 23 sec · Hoosier Heartland Highway

  8. 8

    Turn left onto I 65 North

    1374 ft · 36 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    84 mi · 1 hr 32 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit

    1.4 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit

    1559 ft · 27 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Borman Expressway

    26.8 mi · 30 min · Borman Expressway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East, US 35 South: La Porte, South Bend

    2175 ft · 55 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    6.7 mi · 9 min

  15. 15

    Turn left onto North Fail Road

    2.4 mi · 6 min · North Fail Road

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Fail Road

Car Route Details

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

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
16 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 65 North
84.3 mi · 67%
Borman Expressway
26.8 mi · 21%
US 20 East
7.1 mi · 6%
North Fail Road
2.4 mi · 2%
Schuyler Avenue
1.86 mi · 1%
North 18th Street
1.6 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 65 North

Merge slight left

84 mi · 01h 32m

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 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.5 mi
90 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Shelby
01h 13m from Lafayette
Leave By
1:34 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lafayette and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Smith.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 125.5 miles (202 km) and usually takes 02h 27m 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?

Shelby is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.8 miles from Lafayette and 62.8 miles from Smith.

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

The direct path is about 90 miles (144.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.5 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 1:34 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.11 one way or $34.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.4 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Lafayette and Smith, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lafayette and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Smith.

Stop Ideas Near Shelby

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

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

RAIL

Rensselaer

32 mi away
619 North Cullen Street
RAIL

Dyer station

37 mi away
913 Sheffield Avenue
RAIL

Kankakee

44 mi away
199 South East Ave.
BUS

Gary, IN

45 mi away
100 West 4th Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lafayette and Smith. Straight-line distance: 90.06 mi (144.94 km).

Lafayette

#1 Lafayette

The most populous city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.

Population71,484
Coordinates40.4167000, -86.8752900
Altitude211
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Smith

Unincorporated community in Indiana, United States

Population368
Coordinates41.7108800, -86.6691900
Altitude242
CountryUnited States
Start: Lafayette (-86.87529, 40.4167)
End: Smith (-86.66919, 41.71088)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 202 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.43 gal
16.76 L · about $17.11
Round trip
$34.22
8.86 gal · 33.52 L
Estimated CO2
39.4 kg one way
Round trip: 78.7 kg / 174 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.86 $17.11 $34.22
Mid-grade $4.46 $19.74 $39.47
Premium $4.99 $22.10 $44.19
Diesel $6.62 $29.33 $58.66

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 · Oct 15, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Lafayette, IN and Smith, IN. The current time in Lafayette is 23:30:19, although it is 22:30:19 in Smith.

Distance to Other Cities

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