Cincinnati to Indianapolis drive: Distance, time & best stops

By car, the distance from Cincinnati to Indianapolis is 112 miles. That makes for a driving time of 1h43m. The best road trip stops on the Cincinnati to Indianapolis drive are Miami Whitewater Forest, Decatur County Park and Veal’s Ice Tree.

Planning a Cincinnati to Indianapolis road trip itinerary

The drive from Cincinnati to Indianapolis takes you from the biggest city in southern Ohio to the capital of Indiana.

Top Cincinnati activities include underground tours – some with beer tasting – and food tours by streetcar. You can also try baseball history tours, indoor skydiving and guided ghost walks.  

Worthwhile Indianapolis experiences include a Fountain Square food tour and a walking tour around the city’s highlights.

Cincinnati to Indianapolis distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Cincinnati to Indianapolis is 112 miles. That makes for a driving time of around one hour and 43 minutes. The quickest route is almost entirely along the I-74.

The best road trip stops on the Cincinnati to Indianapolis drive are the Miami Whitewater Forest, the Decatur County Park and Veal’s Ice Tree.

Cincinnati to Indianapolis road trip stops: Miami Whitewater Forest

The Miami Whitewater Forest lies to the north-west of Cincinnati, and is a great place to stretch the legs. The 7.8 mile Shaker Trace Trail forms the centrepiece, offering plenty of native trees and a wealth of butterflies. This trail is paved, so it’s suitable for cycling, too.

The Visitor Centre has live animals – popular with the kids – while pedal boats, kayaks and paddleboards are available for hire at the Boathouse.

Attractions between Cincinnati and Indianapolis: Decatur County Park

The Decatur County Park in Greensburg, Indiana, is arguably the best of several pleasant but inessential parks along the route. There’s a 10 acre lake you can go paddleboating on, plus a basketball court and tennis courts.

At Decatur County Park, you’ll also find a playground and picnic tables. And that’s arguably what it’s best for – a place to have lunch on the run.

Cincinnati to Indianapolis drive: Veal’s Ice Tree

On the outskirts of Indianapolis, Veal’s Ice Tree is a bizarre and very seasonal attraction. Near exit 99 of the I-94, this bizarre piece of art is created by the Veal family, who stack wood, twine and scrap metal, then let a continuous spray of water freeze over the top.

Weather conditions need to be right for it to work, but Veal’s Ice Tree usually appears in January.

The Indianapolis skyline.
The Indianapolis skyline. Photo by 12019/ Pixabay.

More Cincinnati road trips

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More Indianapolis road trips

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