How far is Valparaiso, IN from Lawrence, IN?

The driving distance from Valparaiso, IN to Lawrence, IN is about 155.6 miles (250.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 125.3 miles (201.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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
155.59 mi
02h 41m
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 Valparaiso.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
155.59 mi
Kilometers
250.4 km
Drive Time
02h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lawrence
Tue, May 12, 10:12 PM EDT
Return by in Valparaiso
Tue, May 12, 11:54 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Valparaiso
2026-05-12T18:30
Arrive Lawrence
Tue, May 12, 9:12 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
11:42 AM to 1:42 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:06 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Valparaiso
9:30 PM CDT
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 Valparaiso
77.4 mi
01h 21m
To Lawrence
78.2 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Tuesday

Areas Of Frost then Rain Likely

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
75°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 13 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Walnut Street

    117 m · 19 sec · Walnut Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Franklin Street

    2304 ft · 1 min · Franklin Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Indiana Avenue

    103 m · 14 sec · Indiana Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South Washington Street

    2939 ft · 2 min · South Washington Street

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    1.5 km · 2 min

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South State Road 2

    34 m · 2 sec · South State Road 2

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto South State Road 2

    3.3 mi · 5 min · South State Road 2

  8. 8

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

    44 m · 3 sec · South State Road 2

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout onto South State Road 2

    9.1 mi · 13 min · South State Road 2

  10. 10

    Continue on West Casey Street

    823 ft · 30 sec · West Casey Street

  11. 11

    Continue on South Main Street

    2 mi · 3 min · South Main Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto State Road 2

    1 mi · 1 min · State Road 2

  13. 13

    Continue on East 181st Avenue

    4.3 mi · 6 min · East 181st Avenue

  14. 14

    Take the ramp left toward I 65 South: Indianapolis

    1314 ft · 32 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway

    110.3 mi · 1 hr 59 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway

  16. 16

    Keep slight right

    5.1 mi · 6 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight right

    12.5 mi · 15 min

  18. 18

    Merge slight right

    3.4 mi · 4 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward US 36 East, SR 67 North: Pendleton Pike

    1367 ft · 32 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on US 36 East, SR 67 North: Lawrence

    55 m · 7 sec

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Pendleton Pike

    1.2 km · 2 min · Pendleton Pike

  22. 22

    Turn left onto McCoy Street

    127 m · 19 sec · McCoy Street

  23. 23

    Turn left

    18 m · 6 sec

  24. 24

    Turn right

    23 m · 6 sec

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
25 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
131 mi · 84%
South State Road 2
12.5 mi · 8%
East 181st Avenue
4.33 mi · 3%
South Main Street
2.03 mi · 1%
South Washington Street
1.49 mi · 1%
State Road 2
1.03 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway

Merge slight left onto Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway

110 mi · 01h 59m

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 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.3 mi
125.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brookston
01h 21m from Valparaiso
Leave By
1:06 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 155.6 miles (250.4 km) and usually takes 02h 41m 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 77.4 miles from Valparaiso and 78.2 miles from Lawrence.

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 30.3 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:06 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.70 one way or $41.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.8 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

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

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 Valparaiso and Lawrence. Straight-line distance: 125.3 mi (201.65 km).

Valparaiso

#1 Valparaiso

Town in Porter County, Indiana, United States

Population33,944
Coordinates41.4730900, -87.0611400
Altitude242
CountryUnited States
Lawrence

#2 Lawrence

A city in Marion County, Indiana.

Population49,545
Coordinates39.8386500, -86.0252600
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Start: Walnut Street (-87.06114, 41.47311)
End: (-86.025248, 39.83865)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 250 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.49 gal
20.78 L · about $20.70
Round trip
$41.41
10.98 gal · 41.56 L
Estimated CO2
48.8 kg one way
Round trip: 97.6 kg / 215 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.70 $41.41
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.35 $46.70
Premium $4.65 $25.55 $51.10
Diesel $5.30 $29.12 $58.24

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

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Valparaiso, IN and Lawrence, IN. The current time in Valparaiso is 18:30:51, although it is 19:30:51 in Lawrence.

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.