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

The driving distance from Zionsville, IN to West Lafayette, IN is about 55.3 miles (89 km), with a travel time of about 01h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 47.3 miles (76.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 08m 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
55.29 mi
01h 04m
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 Zionsville.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
55.29 mi
Kilometers
88.98 km
Drive Time
01h 04m

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 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Lafayette
Fri, Apr 17, 4:06 AM EDT
Return by in Zionsville
Fri, Apr 17, 5:10 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Zionsville
2026-04-17T03:02
Arrive West Lafayette
Fri, Apr 17, 4:06 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:04 AM to 11:04 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:22 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Zionsville
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 Zionsville
26 mi
00h 32m
To West Lafayette
29.3 mi
00h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph SSE
Destination
80°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Main Street

    63 m · 15 sec · South Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Cedar Street

    45 m · 12 sec · East Cedar Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South 1st Street

    81 m · 9 sec · South 1st Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto West Oak Street

    2.4 mi · 4 min · West Oak Street

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Oak Street

    41 m · 3 sec · West Oak Street

  6. 6

    Exit the roundabout onto West Oak Street

    2600 ft · 52 sec · West Oak Street

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Oak Street

    38 m · 3 sec · West Oak Street

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto West Oak Street

    868 ft · 17 sec · West Oak Street

  9. 9

    Continue on Whitestown Parkway

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Whitestown Parkway

  10. 10

    Take the ramp right

    992 ft · 24 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    11.3 mi · 12 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 52 West

    1281 ft · 16 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    786 ft · 10 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    29.9 mi · 32 min

  15. 15

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

    1275 ft · 29 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left

    828 ft · 24 sec

  17. 17

    Continue on South Street

    3 mi · 6 min · South Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Main Street

    130 m · 15 sec · Main Street

  19. 19

    Turn slight left onto Columbia Street

    1.1 mi · 4 min · Columbia Street

  20. 20

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East State Street

    44 m · 6 sec · East State Street

  21. 21

    Exit the roundabout onto East State Street

    2631 ft · 2 min · East State Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Northwestern Avenue

    739 ft · 28 sec · Northwestern Avenue

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Northwestern Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Zionsville 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
23 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
2 merges, 9 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
41.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 52 West
30.3 mi · 55%
Whitestown Parkway
13.2 mi · 24%
West Oak Street
3.08 mi · 6%
South Street
2.98 mi · 5%
Columbia Street
1.12 mi · 2%
East State Street
0.53 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 52 West

Merge slight left

29.9 mi · 00h 32m

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 04m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8 mi
47.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Thorntown
00h 32m from Zionsville
Leave By
4:22 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Zionsville and 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 Zionsville to West Lafayette?

The road trip is about 55.3 miles (89 km) and usually takes 01h 04m 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 miles from Zionsville and 29.3 miles from West Lafayette.

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 8 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 4:22 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.35 one way or $14.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

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 11.8 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 12.4 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 Zionsville and West Lafayette. Straight-line distance: 47.33 mi (76.17 km).

Zionsville

#1 Zionsville

Town of Indiana

Population29,340
Coordinates39.9508700, -86.2619400
Altitude257
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: South Main Street (-86.26182, 39.950895)
End: Northwestern Avenue (-86.908094, 40.425857)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 89 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.95 gal
7.39 L · about $7.35
Round trip
$14.71
3.9 gal · 14.78 L
Estimated CO2
17.3 kg one way
Round trip: 34.7 kg / 77 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.35 $14.71
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.29 $16.59
Premium $4.65 $9.08 $18.15
Diesel $5.30 $10.34 $20.69

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 Zionsville and West Lafayette. The current time is 03:02:26.

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.