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

The driving distance from West Lafayette, IN to Zionsville, IN is about 52.2 miles (84 km), with a travel time of about 01h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 47.3 miles (76.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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
52.18 mi
01h 06m
Flight
47.33 mi
76.17 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from West Lafayette.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
47.33 mi
Kilometers
76.17 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
52.18 mi
Kilometers
83.97 km
Drive Time
01h 06m

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 01h 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Zionsville
Fri, Apr 17, 5:32 AM EDT
Return by in West Lafayette
Fri, Apr 17, 6:39 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Lafayette
2026-04-17T04:25
Arrive Zionsville
Fri, Apr 17, 5:32 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:07 AM to 11:07 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:16 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in West Lafayette
9:30 PM EDT
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
Thorntown
IN

City in Boone County, Indiana, United States of America

From West Lafayette
26.1 mi
00h 33m
To Zionsville
26.1 mi
00h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph SSW
Destination
82°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    41.5 mi · 45 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Whitestown Parkway

    1066 ft · 34 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Whitestown Parkway

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Whitestown Parkway

  12. 12

    Continue on West Oak Street

    860 ft · 17 sec · West Oak Street

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Oak Street

    39 m · 3 sec · West Oak Street

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto West Oak Street

    2594 ft · 52 sec · West Oak Street

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Oak Street

    38 m · 2 sec · West Oak Street

  16. 16

    Exit the roundabout onto West Oak Street

    2.4 mi · 4 min · West Oak Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    18 m · 3 sec · South Main Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
1 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
34.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 65 South
41.9 mi · 80%
West Oak Street
3.11 mi · 6%
Whitestown Parkway
2.08 mi · 4%
South Street
2.03 mi · 4%
Union Street
1.6 mi · 3%
Old US Highway 231
0.62 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 65 South

Merge slight left

41.5 mi · 00h 45m

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
01h 06m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.9 mi
47.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Thorntown
00h 33m from West Lafayette
Leave By
4:16 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving West Lafayette and Mostly Sunny near Zionsville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 52.2 miles (84 km) and usually takes 01h 06m 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?

Thorntown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.1 miles from West Lafayette and 26.1 miles from Zionsville.

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

The direct path is about 47.3 miles (76.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.9 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 4:16 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.94 one way or $13.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around West Lafayette and Mostly Sunny near Zionsville.

Stop Ideas Near Thorntown

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Thorntown and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town of Mulberry - Town Hall & Municipal Utilities
Scenic stop 11.7 mi away

Town of Mulberry - Town Hall & Municipal Utilities

Mulberry , IN
123 S Glick St, Mulberry, IN 46058, United States
Park,Municipal corporation,City or town hall,Public library,Water works
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 12.3 mi away

Darlington Municipal Utilities

Darlington , IN
222 W Main St, Darlington, IN 47940
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Thorntown.

BUS

Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana

26 mi away
1000 Smith Ave
RAIL

Crawfordsville

27 mi away
Spring and Green Streets
RAIL

Lafayette station

41 mi away
200 North 2nd St.
RAIL

Indianapolis Union Station

56 mi away
350 South Illinois Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Lafayette and Zionsville. Straight-line distance: 47.33 mi (76.17 km).

West Lafayette

#1 West Lafayette

The most populous city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.

Population51,605
Coordinates40.4258700, -86.9080700
Altitude186
CountryUnited States
Zionsville

#2 Zionsville

Town of Indiana

Population29,340
Coordinates39.9508700, -86.2619400
Altitude257
CountryUnited States
Start: West Lafayette (-86.90807, 40.42587)
End: Zionsville (-86.26194, 39.95087)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 84 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.84 gal
6.97 L · about $6.94
Round trip
$13.88
3.68 gal · 13.94 L
Estimated CO2
16.4 kg one way
Round trip: 32.7 kg / 72 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.94 $13.88
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.83 $15.65
Premium $4.65 $8.56 $17.13
Diesel $5.30 $9.76 $19.52

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between West Lafayette and Zionsville. The current time is 04:25:54.

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.