Looking For Your Next Great Road Trip? Head Down I-65 From Chicago to Louisville
Are you looking for your next great US adventure? Are you looking for a scenic trip you can do in a short amount of time? If so, a trip down I-65 is one you won’t want to miss.
A trip from Chicago to Louisville takes between four and a half and five hours — close enough for an all-day trip, but far enough for an extended stay. We’ve created a three-day guide that starts in Chicago, ends in Louisville, and gives you enough time in between to make the most of your journey.
So pack your bags, hop in your car, and don’t forget to bring your sense of adventure on this fun-filled journey.
Day 1: Chicago to Indianapolis
RELATED: As a disclaimer, the northern end of I-65 starts in Gary, Indiana, which is about about an hour south of Chicago. Traveling from Chicago, travelers can pick up I-65 in Gary and continue south.
Morning
Get an early start to maximize the first day of your I-65 road trip. There’s plenty to do and see in the Windy City, but you’ll be returning here after three days, so save your sightseeing for later.
Head about 90 minutes south into Indiana and stop at Fair Oaks Farms. This innovative dairy farm in Fair Oaks, Indiana, is open rain or shine and invites visitors to enjoy educational farm tours, strolls through scenic summer sunflower fields, and live music performances.
Don’t forget to sample some of Fair Oaks Farms’ delicious wares for breakfast or brunch. Fair Oaks has farm-to-fork options for roadtrippers or fine dining options including sandwiches, artisan cheeses, salads, and BBQ.
RELATED: If you’re looking for more scenic views along Lake Michigan, consider visiting Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park. It stretches for 25 miles along the south Lake Michigan shore and is beloved for its sand dunes, sandy beaches, and other outdoor recreation.
Afternoon
After an educational tour and a hearty meal, continue your trek on I-65 two more hours to Indianapolis. Indiana’s capital city is always brimming with activity and things to see, including the Indianapolis Zoo, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
If you’re feeling hungry after your drive, make plans to have lunch at The Eagle’s Nest. This rotating rooftop restaurant offers a beautiful view of the city as hungry guests sip fine wines, signature cocktails, and farm-to-table cuisine.
After your meal, stretch your legs and discover one of the meccas of auto racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The venue offers several tours including a “Kiss the Bricks Tour,” where visitors can take a lap around the 2.5-mile oval and top at the start-finish line to kiss the bricks just like Indy 500 winners. The “View From the Top Tour” offers a guided view of the speedway, including a trip to the top of the 153-foot-tall Pagoda.
Evening
Now that you’re done driving for the day, take some time to explore downtown Indianapolis.
The majestic Indiana State Capitol has stood tall in Indy since 1888 and is famous for its stained glass rotunda window and limestone exterior. Guided tours of the center of Indiana government are available every hour on weekdays and self-guided tours are available on weekends.
At the center of downtown, travelers can visit Monument Circle, which includes sculptures of famous Hoosier State veterans who served in major conflicts before WWI. The circle has come to symbolize the city, and the visitors can see it in all its glory from an observation deck, which offers a 360-degree view from 275 feet up.
The Soliders and Sailors Monument in Monument Circle offers a seasonal Shining a Light show that includes a light show synced to music from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and a nightly salute.
Close out your night in Indy with a delicious dinner at St. Elmo Steak House. St. Elmo has been an Indy institution since 1902 and is famous for its shrimp cocktails, hearty steaks, and scrumptious seafood.
Day 2: Indianapolis to Louisville
Morning
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why not start with an award-winning meal that tastes great at Cafe Patachou? Customers can pick unique and delicious omelets and specialties like ricotta pesto toast, croissant French toast, and a Cuban breakfast.
After breakfast, make an easy hour drive to Columbus, Indiana. This small city is an architectural mecca that draws thousands of visitors and whose buildings have drawn comparisons to Chicago and New York.
Dating back to the 1940s, the 70+ buildings here were designed by some of the most renowned architects in the world. It’s a spectacle for the eyes and arguably one of the most unique visual museums in the nation.
RELATED: See more hidden gems in Indiana.
Afternoon
Make your way 90 minutes further south and arrive in Louisville, Kentucky, known by some as Derby City and The Gateway to the South. By the way, for the uninitiated, it’s LOO-a-vel, not LOUIE-ville.
Start your exploration of Louisville with some savory, authentic Kentucky BBQ at Feast BBQ. Sink your teeth into chicken, brisket, sides, and other BBQ favorites — just make sure to have a lot of napkins on hand.
After enjoying your meal, head over to the famous Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. This is a real treat for baseball fans and curious travelers alike, who can take a guided tour to see how famous Louisville Sluggers are made and explore the company’s history in interactive exhibits.
Evening
After a fun-filled afternoon, keep the excitement going into the evening. Slow down, cool off, and take a leisurely stroll along the beautiful Louisville Waterfront Park. Travelers can soak in scenic views of the Ohio River, enjoy free waterfront concerts, and more.
End Day 2 of your trip with dinner at Proof on Main, a Southern-style eatery with a fun art-gallery vibe. Guests can sip on authentic Kentucky bourbons and enjoy steaks, swordfish, duck, and other entrees.
RELATED: If you still want to explore I-65, it runs further south, all the way to Mobile, Alabama and connects several major major cities along the way, including Nashville, Tennessee and Mobile, Montgomery, Birmingham, and Huntsville, Alabama.
Day 3: Louisville to Chicago
Morning
The last day of your I-65 journey should start with a delicious breakfast at Please & Thank You. The menu at this hip bakery includes hot and cold coffee drinks, soft cookies, brownies, muffins, and other sweet treats.
Before leaving Louisville, make sure to stop by the Muhammad Ali Center. Engaging exhibits allow visitors of all ages to learn about the fascinating life and legacy of one of the most famous boxers of all time.
Afternoon
Start your journey back toward Chicago with a stop in West Lafayette, Indiana — the home of Purdue University, which is about 2.5 hours from Louisville.
College campuses are always fun to explore and Purdue is no exception. Curious visitors can visit famous campus landmarks like the unfinished “Block P,” the famous Purdue Bell Tower (and its four bells), and the magnificent Engineering Fountain.
Before you leave West Lafayette, stop for lunch at Triple XXX Family Restaurant. Despite the name, Triple XXX is Indiana’s first and oldest drive-in and a Purdue staple. Customers can nosh on burgers, fries, shakes, and other drive-in favorites.
Evening
Continue your journey toward Chicago and stop for a break in Crown Point, Indiana — about 75 minutes outside Chicago. Filled with beautiful surroundings and rich history, Crown Point is a scenic city with lots to see.
Grab a coffee and stroll through Crown Point’s downtown square. At its center is Old Lake County Courthouse — known as the “Grand Old Lady” — it’s a popular spot for marriages because there’s no waiting period for licenses.
Right off the square is Bulldog Park, which hosts a weekly farmer’s market on Saturdays and exciting annual events. There’s also a splash pad there, giving youngsters a perfect spot to cool off in the summer heat.
After stretching your legs and getting a java boost, make the 1 hour, 15-minute trip back to Chicago. You’ve covered about 600 miles in three days, so feel proud of your accomplishment, and relax at the end of your journey!
Make Plans For an Exciting Expedition on I-65
Cutting an adventurous path through small towns and major cities alike, a trip from Chicago to Louisville on I-65 is an exciting adventure that can be done quickly, but still leaves plenty of room for side trips and exploring at your leisure.
So if you’re looking for a new route to explore, hop in the car, head south from Chicago, and explore the wonders of the open road on I-65. Happy roadtripping!