Indiana Road Trip Ideas: 11 Best Road Trips + Itinerary

Some states just lend themselves to amazing road trips, and Indiana is one of them. The Hoosier State has so many fantastic places to see and explore, from natural wonders to foodie destinations to charming small towns. If you are looking for the best Indiana road trip ideas, this is the place. We have put together 11 unforgettable road adventures to inspire you. The only question now is, which one will you go on first?

1-Day Road Trip In Indiana

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• Route: Columbus > Westport > Scipio > Comiskey > Seymour > Vallonia > Williams > Nashville
• Distance: 188 Miles
• Trip Time: 4.5 hours driving time

If you have just one day for a quintessential Indiana road trip, we suggest this scenic drive full of Indiana history. This covered bridge loop trail takes you to nine of the state’s characteristic old bridges. You will see an 1840 bridge over the White Water River, the historic 130-foot-long West Port bridge, and an unusual two-lane bridge in Nashville. Walk across the longest and oldest covered bridge in Vallonia and be sure to get a photo of Indiana’s most famous bridge known as Bean Blossom, an idyllic site you may recognize from paintings. With less than five hours of driving time, you can visit all of these bridges, stopping at each to drink in the scenery and snap some photos all in a day. Pack a lunch and pick your favorite bridge area for a picturesque picnic!

3-Day Weekend Road Trip In Indiana

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• Route: Turkey Run State Park > Shades State Park > Brown County State Park
• Distance: 107 Miles
• Trip Time: 2.5 hours driving time

On each leg of this one-of-a-kind three-day weekend road trip, you will visit one of Indiana’s epic state parks and spend the day exploring its unique features, from hiking through the forests and canyons of Turkey Run State Park and kayaking down its lazy river to exploring the prehistoric-like wonders of Shades State Park, then wandering through the unparalleled natural beauty of massive Brown County State Park. We have selected two charming places to spend the night and recharge for another day of outdoor escapades. This route’s leisurely pace and relatively short driving time allow you to explore at your own pace and really appreciate what makes these parks special.

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Northern Indiana Waterfall Road Trip

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• Route: Indianapolis > Richmond > Andrews > Lagro > Wabash > Logansport > Williamsport >Indianapolis
• Distance: 377 Miles
• Trip Time: 7 hours driving time

Indiana has more than a fair share of spectacular waterfalls. Visit them in spring or summer months when the water is at full volume, in the fall when they are surrounded by vibrant foliage, or in the winter when many of them freeze into extraordinary ice sculptures. This ultimate waterfall road trip focuses on the most stunning falls in Northern Indiana. Begin and end this scenic waterfall loop in Indianapolis, or actually, at any one point on the route. You will visit the wide cascading Thistlewaite Falls, the ravines and gorges of Salamonie River State Forest, the seasonal waterfalls at Kokiwanee Preserve, and the 90-foot plunging Williamsport Falls, along with several others. At each destination, you can choose to take advantage of hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, or even book one of the rustic campsites to spend more time surrounded by nature.

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Southern Indiana Waterfall Road Trip

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• Route: Indianapolis > Cloverdale > Spencer > Mitchell > Union Township > Madison > North Vernon > Harsville > Indianapolis
• Distance: 353 Miles
• Trip Time: 7 hours driving time

It’s not fair to give all the attention to Northern Indiana, considering all of the stunning waterfalls in this state, right? Like the Northern waterfall loop, this marvelous waterfall road trip starts and ends in Indianapolis, with a loop running through some of the most beautiful and dramatic sites in the south. Visit the cascading wonder, Cataract Falls, McCormick’s Creek Falls in Indiana’s oldest state park, and Hemlock Cliffs Falls with its pristine plunge pool below, and four waterfalls within Clifty Falls State Park, just to name a few. Along the way, you will discover pretty hiking trails, historic sites, lovely canyons and rock formations, and tons of lush foliage. If you are obsessed with waterfalls, and have the time for an extended road trip, you could actually combine the Northern and Southern Indiana waterfall loops for the ultimate waterfall tour!

Best Indiana Road Trip For Spring

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• Route: South Bend > New Paris > Kokomo > Bowling Green > Richmond
• Distance: 373 Miles
• Trip Time: 7 hours driving time

Spring is an enchanting time of year, when the days gently warm up and the rain and snow give way to colorful flowers and greenery. What better time than spring to take this magical fairytale road trip? The route for this delightful trip can actually be started from any of three spots. However you choose to adventure, you will feel like royalty as you eat and sleep in stunning and whimsical castles that feel like they are straight out of a storybook. Along the way, you will discover charming gardens and hidden gems that will only add to this fun overnight experience.

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Best Summer Road Trip In Indiana

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• Route: Trine State Recreation Area > Tippecanoe River State Park > Shades State Park > Charlestown State Park > O’Bannon Woods State Park > Harmonie State Park
• Distance: 555 Miles
• Trip Time: 10 hours driving time

Summer is the most popular travel season for several reasons, including school vacations, warm weather, etc. During these months, common attractions, destinations, and state parks are often full of visitors, so we think this little tour of Indiana’s least-visited state parks is a brilliant idea for a summer getaway without the crowds. This epic trip takes you through the entire state, from the northern border, south through Louisville, along part of the Ohio River, and on to the west. Along the way, you will visit serene natural parks with scenic lakes, lush green foliage, vibrant wildlife, waterfalls, cliffs, and even caves. Take your time and let the stresses and chaos of the everyday melt away as you explore these shockingly under-the-radar parks on one of the best Indiana road trips.

Best Indiana Road Trip For Fall

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• Route: Madison > Mitchell > Nashville > North Salem > Waveband > Anderson > Albion > Notre Dame > Michigan City d/li>
• Distance: 521 Miles
• Trip Time: 10.5 hours driving time

It is honestly hard to say which is a more colorful season - spring or fall - but there is something about fall in the midwest that is truly glorious. You can see colors changing everywhere you go, but if you want to see some of the most striking displays of yellow, gold, orange, and red hues in the state, you will “fall” in love with this dreamy fall foliage road trip through Indiana. You will start along the Ohio River in Madison, where you will immerse yourself in fall colors from the quaint historic town to Clifty Falls State Park, and no less than four waterfalls! Continue on through six more state parks, each offering vastly different landscapes, views, and shades of foliage. We couldn’t leave out Notre Dame, where you can also work in a fall football game if you time it right.

Best Winter Road Trip In Indiana

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• Route: Michigan City > Shipshewana > Fort Wayne > Muncie > Richmond > Carmel > Nashville > Evansville > Santa Claus
• Distance: 592 Miles
• Trip Time: 11 hours driving time

Throughout Indiana, there are cities and towns that simply come alive during the winter months. From quiet snow-lined streets to colorful strings of twinkling lights, this epic winter road trip takes you on a magical tour of the state’s most enchanting winter locales. Enjoy the Land of Lights in the town of Santa Claus, lit-up shops in Nashville, a light show in Washington Park, Richmond’s Gingerbread Trail, a romantic, old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage ride in Shipshewana’s Amish country, and so much more to celebrate the winter season.

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Family-Friendly Indiana Road Trip

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis/Facebook

• Route: Indianapolis > Bloomington > French Lick > Santa Claus > Evansville
• Distance: 192 Miles
• Trip Time: 4.25 hours driving time

Looking for a weekend trip the whole family will love? This super fun, whimsical family-friendly road trip through Indiana is perfect. The fun starts at the world’s largest children’s museum in Indianapolis followed by a visit to the wonderful Indianapolis Zoo and the Wonderlab Science Museum. Spend the night at the stunning French Lick Springs Hotel where you will find activities and amenities designed specifically for families with children, as well as just enough luxury to rejuvenate tired parents and get them ready for another day of adventuring in Southern Illinois. If your family loves amusement parks, allow for several hours to enjoy the Christmas-themed town of Santa Claus. The entire family will get a thrill out of rides, slides, and the Splashing Safari water park, which only begins to encompass the fun in Santa Claus.

Road Trip to Indiana Landmarks & Natural Wonders

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• Route: Chesterton > Bloomingdale > Cloverdale > Bedford > Marengo > Clarksville > Nashville > Anderson > Peru
• Distance: 588 Miles
• Trip Time: 11.25 hours driving time

This wondrous tour of nine of Indiana’s stunning natural wonders is the perfect road trip to see the awesome natural beauty that the state has to offer. This long loop route starts on the shores of Lake Michigan with the spectacular sand dunes in Indiana Dunes National Park. You will explore fascinating canyons and caverns, drive through the Hoosier National Forest, visit one of the state’s largest waterfalls, and discover ancient fossil beds. It doesn’t end there! Brown County State Park in Nashville is a gorgeous place for hiking, biking, and connecting with nature. There are also campgrounds and cabin rentals in the park, which makes this a fantastic place to spend the night, if you’re so inclined. You have never seen Indiana like this before.

Road Trip to Best Small Towns in Indiana

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• Route: New Harmony > Corydon > Madison > Seymour > Nashville > Nappanee > Chesterton > Williamsport
• Distance: 633 Miles
• Trip Time: 11 hours driving time

We love natural beauty, but we also love the heartwarming nature of the state’s quaint small towns. Take a road trip to some of Indiana’s most charming small towns for a picture-perfect getaway. Start the journey with the stunningly unique and colorful town of New Harmony. Along the Ohio River Scenic Byway - which stretches from Louisville, Kentucky, to Cincinnati, Ohio - you will visit Madison and its historic sites such as the Broadway Fountain and Eleutherian College. You will find rural parks and a quirky downtown area in the hidden gem that is Nashville, Indiana, the gorgeous town of Chesterton along the Indiana Dunes, and several other darling towns in between. If you love small-town charm, history, and incredible character, this is the best Indiana road trip for you.

Alright, road trippers, it’s time to let the journey begin! Which Indiana road trip itinerary are you planning to take first? Once you know which Indiana road trip map you want to follow, check out OnlyInYourState’s Ultimate Road Trip Packing List for our best road trip planning and packing tips. Whether you’re leaving for a single day or a week-long road trip, you can’t forget the snacks: here are 50 on-the-go snack ideas perfect for traveling.