How far is New Albany, IN from West Lafayette, IN?

The driving distance from New Albany, IN to West Lafayette, IN is about 186.8 miles (300.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 158.8 miles (255.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 02m 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
186.81 mi
03h 01m
Flight
158.81 mi
255.58 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from New Albany.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
158.81 mi
Kilometers
255.58 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
186.81 mi
Kilometers
300.64 km
Drive Time
03h 01m

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 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Lafayette
Tue, Apr 14, 11:23 PM EDT
Return by in New Albany
Wed, Apr 15, 2:24 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave New Albany
2026-04-14T20:22
Arrive West Lafayette
Tue, Apr 14, 11:23 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:01 AM to 11:01 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
10:58 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in New Albany
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 New Albany
90.2 mi
01h 30m
To West Lafayette
96.6 mi
01h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph SW
Destination
79°F
Tuesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
13 to 16 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New Albany and West Lafayette.

  1. 1

    Start on State Street

    8 m · 8 sec · State Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Spring Street

    829 ft · 18 sec · West Spring Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right

    1846 ft · 45 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 265 East, SR 62 East

    2045 ft · 44 sec

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    6 mi · 7 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 65 North, I 65 South: Indianapolis, Louisville

    1772 ft · 34 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 65 North: Indianapolis

    1.2 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    105.7 mi · 1 hr 57 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right

    29.8 mi · 36 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

    29.9 mi · 32 min

  14. 14

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

    1275 ft · 29 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left

    828 ft · 24 sec

  16. 16

    Continue on South Street

    3 mi · 6 min · South Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Main Street

    130 m · 15 sec · Main Street

  18. 18

    Turn slight left onto Columbia Street

    1.1 mi · 4 min · Columbia Street

  19. 19

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East State Street

    44 m · 6 sec · East State Street

  20. 20

    Exit the roundabout onto East State Street

    2631 ft · 2 min · East State Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Northwestern Avenue

    739 ft · 28 sec · Northwestern Avenue

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Northwestern Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between New Albany 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
22 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
3 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 65 North
137 mi · 73%
US 52 West
30.3 mi · 16%
I 265 East
6.4 mi · 3%
South Street
2.98 mi · 2%
West Spring Street
1.67 mi · 1%
Columbia Street
1.12 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 65 North

Merge slight left

106 mi · 01h 57m

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 01m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28 mi
158.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Franklin
01h 30m from New Albany
Leave By
10:58 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving New Albany and Light Rain Likely near West Lafayette.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from New Albany to West Lafayette?

The road trip is about 186.8 miles (300.6 km) and usually takes 03h 01m 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 90.2 miles from New Albany and 96.6 miles from West Lafayette.

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

The direct path is about 158.8 miles (255.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 28 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 10:58 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.85 one way or $49.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around New Albany and Light Rain Likely near West Lafayette.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between New Albany and West Lafayette. Straight-line distance: 158.81 mi (255.58 km).

New Albany

#1 New Albany

City in Floyd County, Indiana, United States

Population36,874
Coordinates38.2856200, -85.8241300
Altitude137
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: State Street (-85.824063, 38.285642)
End: Northwestern Avenue (-86.908094, 40.425857)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 301 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.59 gal
24.95 L · about $24.85
Round trip
$49.70
13.18 gal · 49.9 L
Estimated CO2
58.6 kg one way
Round trip: 117.1 kg / 258 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $24.85 $49.70
Mid-grade $4.25 $28.03 $56.05
Premium $4.65 $30.67 $61.34
Diesel $5.30 $34.95 $69.91

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 · Apr 15, 2026

There is no time difference between New Albany and West Lafayette. The current time is 20:22:29.

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.