How far is Madison, IN from West Lafayette, IN?

The driving distance from Madison, IN to West Lafayette, IN is about 156.9 miles (252.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 142.3 miles (229 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 50m 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
156.87 mi
03h 25m
Flight
142.32 mi
229.04 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Madison.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
142.32 mi
Kilometers
229.04 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
156.87 mi
Kilometers
252.46 km
Drive Time
03h 25m

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 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Lafayette
Thu, Apr 23, 12:29 AM EDT
Return by in Madison
Thu, Apr 23, 3:54 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Madison
2026-04-22T21:04
Arrive West Lafayette
Thu, Apr 23, 12:29 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:25 AM to 11:25 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
10:10 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Madison
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
Greenwood
IN

The most populous city in Johnson County, Indiana.

From Madison
78.4 mi
01h 42m
To West Lafayette
78.4 mi
01h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph W
Destination
77°F
Wednesday

Scattered Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Madison and West Lafayette.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    22 m · 7 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Street

    56 m · 9 sec · West Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · West Main Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Cragmont Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Cragmont Street

  5. 5

    Turn left

    1684 ft · 29 sec

  6. 6

    Turn straight onto Lanier Drive

    20.1 mi · 30 min · Lanier Drive

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Poplar Street

    972 ft · 16 sec · Poplar Street

  8. 8

    Continue on State Roads 3 & 7

    2833 ft · 2 min · State Roads 3 & 7

  9. 9

    Continue on South State Street

    17.8 mi · 27 min · South State Street

  10. 10

    Continue on State Street

    3.9 mi · 6 min · State Street

  11. 11

    Continue on 3rd Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · 3rd Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Jonathan Moore Pike

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Jonathan Moore Pike

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 65 North: Indianapolis

    1413 ft · 41 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    43.2 mi · 49 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right

    29.8 mi · 36 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 52 West

    1281 ft · 16 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left

    786 ft · 10 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    29.9 mi · 32 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 26: Lafayette, Rossville

    1275 ft · 29 sec

  20. 20

    Turn left

    828 ft · 24 sec

  21. 21

    Continue on South Street

    3 mi · 6 min · South Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Main Street

    130 m · 15 sec · Main Street

  23. 23

    Turn slight left onto Columbia Street

    1.1 mi · 4 min · Columbia Street

  24. 24

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East State Street

    44 m · 6 sec · East State Street

  25. 25

    Exit the roundabout onto East State Street

    2631 ft · 2 min · East State Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto Northwestern Avenue

    739 ft · 28 sec · Northwestern Avenue

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Northwestern Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
27 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 65 North
73.3 mi · 47%
US 52 West
30.3 mi · 19%
Lanier Drive
20.1 mi · 13%
South State Street
17.8 mi · 11%
State Street
3.85 mi · 2%
South Street
2.98 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 25m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.6 mi
142.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Greenwood
01h 42m from Madison
Leave By
10:10 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Madison and Scattered Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near West Lafayette.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Madison to West Lafayette?

The road trip is about 156.9 miles (252.5 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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?

Greenwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.4 miles from Madison and 78.4 miles from West Lafayette.

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

The direct path is about 142.3 miles (229 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.6 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 10:10 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.85 one way or $41.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Madison and Scattered Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near West Lafayette.

Stop Ideas Near Greenwood

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

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

RAIL

Indianapolis Union Station

17 mi away
350 South Illinois Street
RAIL

Connersville station

83 mi away
1012 Eastern Avenue
RAIL

Crawfordsville

83 mi away
Spring and Green Streets
BUS

Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana

85 mi away
1000 Smith Ave

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Madison and West Lafayette. Straight-line distance: 142.32 mi (229.04 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Madison

County seat of Jefferson County, Indiana, United States

Population11,750
Coordinates38.7358900, -85.3799600
Altitude149
CountryUnited States
West Lafayette

#2 West Lafayette

The most populous city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.

Population51,605
Coordinates40.4258700, -86.9080700
Altitude186
CountryUnited States
Start: Madison (-85.37996, 38.73589)
End: West Lafayette (-86.90807, 40.42587)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 252 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.53 gal
20.95 L · about $20.85
Round trip
$41.71
11.06 gal · 41.9 L
Estimated CO2
49.1 kg one way
Round trip: 98.3 kg / 217 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.85 $41.71
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.52 $47.04
Premium $4.65 $25.74 $51.47
Diesel $5.30 $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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Madison and West Lafayette. The current time is 21:04:10.

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.