Indianapolis to Washington DC: Road Trip Guide & Distance

490.8 miles 789.9 km · straight line
571 miles actual route 919 km · driving distance
11h 12min estimated drive time
$55 - $68 estimated fuel cost
~1h 29min flight time
94° E bearing direction

How far is Indianapolis from Washington DC?

The distance from Indianapolis to Washington DC is 490.8 miles (789.9 km) as the crow flies. Washington DC is located E of Indianapolis. By car, the driving distance is approximately 571 miles, taking about 11h 12min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 29min. Both are located in United States — Indianapolis in Indiana and Washington DC in District of Columbia.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility.

Coordinates come from public place data for Indianapolis and Washington DC. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Indianapolis to Washington DC

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 11h 12min $55 - $68 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 29min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~13h 26min $46–$86* Budget
Train ~10h 38min $69–$200* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Indianapolis & Washington DC

Quick Facts

Indianapolis
39.77°N, 86.16°W
America/New_York
218m elevation
Washington DC
38.91°N, 77.04°W
America/New_York
7m elevation
Explore more routes from Washington DC

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 164 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 41 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 50.7 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM