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

The driving distance from West Lafayette, IN to New Albany, IN is about 180.4 miles (290.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 158.8 miles (255.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 00m 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
180.38 mi
03h 30m
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 West Lafayette.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
180.38 mi
Kilometers
290.29 km
Drive Time
03h 30m

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 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in New Albany
Wed, Apr 15, 1:27 AM EDT
Return by in West Lafayette
Wed, Apr 15, 4:57 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Lafayette
2026-04-14T21:57
Arrive New Albany
Wed, Apr 15, 1:27 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:30 AM to 11:30 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
10:00 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in West Lafayette
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 West Lafayette
90.2 mi
01h 45m
To New Albany
90.2 mi
01h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Tuesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
13 to 16 mph SSW
Destination
85°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Northwestern Avenue

    13 m · 2 sec · Northwestern Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Vine Street

    84 m · 16 sec · Vine Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Wiggins Street

    1627 ft · 48 sec · Wiggins Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Old US Highway 231

    1 km · 1 min · Old US Highway 231

  5. 5

    Continue on Union Street

    1.6 mi · 4 min · Union Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto North Earl Avenue

    2673 ft · 1 min · North Earl Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn left onto South Street

    2 mi · 4 min · South Street

  8. 8

    Take the ramp right toward I 65 South: Indianapolis

    1898 ft · 25 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    42.4 mi · 46 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    17.1 mi · 22 min

  11. 11

    Continue on I 70 East: Dayton

    1.9 mi · 3 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    104.3 mi · 1 hr 54 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 265 West, SR 62 West: New Albany

    1.2 km · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    5.9 mi · 7 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight left toward I 64 East: New Albany, Louisville

    3010 ft · 54 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight right

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward New Albany

    1961 ft · 44 sec

  18. 18

    Continue on West 5th Street

    131 m · 12 sec · West 5th Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto West Market Street

    1823 ft · 1 min · West Market Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto State Street

    132 m · 17 sec · State Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · State Street

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 70 East
106 mi · 59%
I 65 South
59.8 mi · 33%
I 265 West
6.63 mi · 4%
I 64 East
2.07 mi · 1%
South Street
2.03 mi · 1%
Union Street
1.6 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 70 East

Keep slight left

104 mi · 01h 54m

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 30m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.6 mi
158.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Franklin
01h 45m from West Lafayette
Leave By
10:00 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 180.4 miles (290.3 km) and usually takes 03h 30m 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 West Lafayette and 90.2 miles from New Albany.

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 21.6 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 10:00 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.43 one way or $52.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

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

West Lafayette

#1 West Lafayette

The most populous city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.

Population51,605
Coordinates40.4258700, -86.9080700
Altitude186
CountryUnited States
New Albany

#2 New Albany

City in Floyd County, Indiana, United States

Population36,874
Coordinates38.2856200, -85.8241300
Altitude137
CountryUnited States
Start: West Lafayette (-86.90807, 40.42587)
End: New Albany (-85.82413, 38.28562)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 290 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.01 gal
26.52 L · about $26.43
Round trip
$52.87
14.02 gal · 53.04 L
Estimated CO2
62.3 kg one way
Round trip: 124.6 kg / 275 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $26.43 $52.87
Mid-grade $4.25 $29.81 $59.63
Premium $4.65 $32.62 $65.25
Diesel $5.30 $37.18 $74.36

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 West Lafayette and New Albany. The current time is 21:57:02.

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.