How far is Madison, IN from Lafayette, IN?
The driving distance from Madison, IN to Lafayette, IN is about 168 miles (270.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 140.8 miles (226.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 54m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
The most populous city in Johnson County, Indiana.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Madison and Lafayette.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison and Lafayette.
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1
Start on the route
22 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn right onto West Street
56 m · 9 sec · West Street
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3
Turn left onto West Main Street
1.2 km · 1 min · West Main Street
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4
Turn right onto Cragmont Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · Cragmont Street
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5
Turn left
1684 ft · 29 sec
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6
Turn straight onto Lanier Drive
20.1 mi · 30 min · Lanier Drive
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7
Turn right onto Poplar Street
972 ft · 16 sec · Poplar Street
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8
Continue on State Roads 3 & 7
2833 ft · 2 min · State Roads 3 & 7
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9
Continue on South State Street
17.8 mi · 27 min · South State Street
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10
Continue on State Street
3.9 mi · 6 min · State Street
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11
Continue on 3rd Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · 3rd Street
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12
Continue on Jonathan Moore Pike
1.4 mi · 2 min · Jonathan Moore Pike
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 65 North: Indianapolis
1413 ft · 41 sec
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14
Merge slight left
43.2 mi · 49 min
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15
Keep slight right
29.8 mi · 36 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 52 West
1281 ft · 16 sec
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17
Keep slight left
786 ft · 10 sec
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18
Merge slight left
29.9 mi · 32 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward SR 26: Lafayette, Rossville
1275 ft · 29 sec
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20
Turn left
828 ft · 24 sec
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21
Continue on South Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · South Street
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22
Turn slight left onto Jackson Street
644 ft · 30 sec · Jackson Street
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23
Turn right
54 m · 13 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Madison and Lafayette.
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 65 North
Merge slight left
43.2 mi · 00h 49m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Madison and Mostly Sunny near Lafayette.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Madison to Lafayette?
The road trip is about 168 miles (270.4 km) and usually takes 02h 54m 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?
Greenwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.4 miles from Madison and 90.6 miles from Lafayette.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 140.8 miles (226.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.2 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 12:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.36 one way or $44.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Madison and Mostly Sunny near Lafayette.
Stop Ideas Near Greenwood
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 Greenwood.
Indianapolis Union Station
Connersville station
Crawfordsville
Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Madison and Lafayette. Straight-line distance: 140.81 mi (226.61 km).
#1 Madison
County seat of Jefferson County, Indiana, United States
| Population | 11,750 |
| Coordinates | 38.7358900, -85.3799600 |
| Altitude | 149 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lafayette
The most populous city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.
| Population | 71,484 |
| Coordinates | 40.4167000, -86.8752900 |
| Altitude | 211 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-86.875433, 40.416605)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 270 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.36 | $44.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.22 | $50.44 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.60 | $55.20 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.45 | $62.91 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.