How far is Lawrence, IN from Valparaiso, IN?

The driving distance from Lawrence, IN to Valparaiso, IN is about 154.3 miles (248.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 125.3 miles (201.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 00m 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
154.27 mi
03h 00m
Flight
125.3 mi
201.65 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lawrence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
125.3 mi
Kilometers
201.65 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
154.27 mi
Kilometers
248.27 km
Drive Time
03h 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 03h 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Valparaiso
Tue, May 12, 10:16 PM CDT
Return by in Lawrence
Wed, May 13, 2:16 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lawrence
2026-05-12T20:16
Arrive Valparaiso
Tue, May 12, 11:16 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:30 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lawrence
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
Brookston
IN

City in St.

From Lawrence
77.1 mi
01h 30m
To Valparaiso
77.1 mi
01h 30m

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 13 mph SSE
Destination
77°F
Tuesday

Areas Of Frost then Rain Likely

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lawrence and Valparaiso.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lawrence and Valparaiso.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    37 m · 11 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto McCoy Street

    150 m · 17 sec · McCoy Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Pendleton Pike

    3160 ft · 1 min · Pendleton Pike

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right toward I 465 North

    1668 ft · 42 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    3.8 mi · 4 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    1477 ft · 20 sec

  7. 7

    Continue on I-465 WB

    1.3 km · 57 sec · I-465 WB

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    10.9 mi · 13 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 865 West: Chicago

    5 mi · 6 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    12.3 mi · 13 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 52 West

    1281 ft · 16 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    786 ft · 10 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    97.7 mi · 1 hr 45 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 2: Lowell, Hebron

    1818 ft · 39 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right onto East 181st Avenue

    4.2 mi · 6 min · East 181st Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on State Road 2

    1 mi · 2 min · State Road 2

  17. 17

    Turn left

    11.3 mi · 17 min

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South State Road 2

    27 m · 2 sec · South State Road 2

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto South State Road 2

    3.3 mi · 5 min · South State Road 2

  20. 20

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South State Road 2

    35 m · 2 sec · South State Road 2

  21. 21

    Exit the roundabout onto South State Road 2

    1.5 km · 2 min · South State Road 2

  22. 22

    Continue on South Washington Street

    1 mi · 3 min · South Washington Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Walnut Street

    11 m · 2 sec · Walnut Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Walnut Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lawrence and Valparaiso.

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
24 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
3 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 52 West
98.1 mi · 64%
I 865 West
17.2 mi · 11%
I-465 WB
11.7 mi · 8%
I 465 North
4.38 mi · 3%
South State Road 2
4.3 mi · 3%
East 181st Avenue
4.18 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

US 52 West

Merge slight left

97.7 mi · 01h 45m

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
03h 00m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
06h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29 mi
125.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brookston
01h 30m from Lawrence
Leave By
12:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Lawrence and Areas Of Frost then Rain Likely near Valparaiso.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lawrence to Valparaiso?

The road trip is about 154.3 miles (248.3 km) and usually takes 03h 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?

Brookston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.1 miles from Lawrence and 77.1 miles from Valparaiso.

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

The direct path is about 125.3 miles (201.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 29 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 12:30 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.51 one way or $41.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.3 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lawrence and Areas Of Frost then Rain Likely near Valparaiso.

Stop Ideas Near Brookston

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

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

RAIL

Lafayette station

20 mi away
200 North 2nd St.
RAIL

Rensselaer

45 mi away
619 North Cullen Street
BUS

Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana

59 mi away
1000 Smith Ave
RAIL

Crawfordsville

62 mi away
Spring and Green Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lawrence and Valparaiso. Straight-line distance: 125.3 mi (201.65 km).

Lawrence

#1 Lawrence

A city in Marion County, Indiana.

Population49,545
Coordinates39.8386500, -86.0252600
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Valparaiso

#2 Valparaiso

Town in Porter County, Indiana, United States

Population33,944
Coordinates41.4730900, -87.0611400
Altitude242
CountryUnited States
Start: Lawrence (-86.02526, 39.83865)
End: Valparaiso (-87.06114, 41.47309)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 248 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 12m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.44 gal
20.61 L · about $20.51
Round trip
$41.03
10.88 gal · 41.22 L
Estimated CO2
48.3 kg one way
Round trip: 96.7 kg / 213 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.51 $41.03
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.14 $46.27
Premium $4.65 $25.32 $50.64
Diesel $5.30 $28.85 $57.71

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

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Lawrence, IN and Valparaiso, IN. The current time in Lawrence is 20:16:02, although it is 19:16:02 in Valparaiso.

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.