Indianapolis to Philadelphia drive: Distance, time & best stops
The best road trip stops on the Indianapolis to Philadelphia drive are Columbus, Pittsburgh and the Flight 93 National Memorial. The distance from Indianapolis to Philadelphia by car is 643 miles, with a ten hour driving time.
Planning an Indianapolis to Philadelphia road trip itinerary
The Indianapolis to Philadelphia drive takes you from the capital of Indiana to Pennsylvania. And, arguably, the most historic city in the US.
This guide picks out the best three stops on an Indianapolis to Philadelphia road trip. However, the journey can be broken down into three sections: The Indianapolis to Columbus drive, the Columbus to Pittsburgh drive and the Pittsburgh to Philadelphia drive Click through on those three guides for more ideas of what to see and do.
Things to do in Indianapolis and Philadelphia
Worthwhile Indianapolis experiences include a Fountain Square food tour and a walking tour around the city’s highlights.
Key attractions in Philadelphia include the Museum of the American Revolution, the Independence Seaport Museum and the Penn Museum. For great Philadelphia tour options, try the Old City historic walking tour, a night tour exploring the city’s dark side or an It’s Always Sunny-themed tour of South Philadelphia.
The area around the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, meanwhile, crams in the Rodin Museum, the Barnes Foundation, the Franklin Institute and the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
- To hunt down affordable Philadelphia accommodation deals, head here.
Indianapolis to Philadelphia distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Indianapolis to Philadelphia is 643 miles. You can expect a driving time of around ten hours. The quickest route is along the I-70 and I-76.
The best stops to add to an Indianapolis to Philadelphia road trip itinerary are Columbus, Pittsburgh and the Flight 93 National Memorial.
Indianapolis to Philadelphia road trip attractions: Columbus, Ohio.
In Columbus, a three day attractions pass covers most of the top sights. These include the Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. For other Columbus experiences, try scavenger hunts, a town tour aboard the Trolley Pub and the Legoland Discovery Center.
Indianapolis to Philadelphia road trip attractions: Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh in western Pennsylvania is a monstrously underrated city, with a series of stellar attractions. Get great views from the top of the Duquesne Incline, enjoy the globally-themed rooms at the unmissable Cathedral of Learning and become immersed in pop art at the Warhol Museum.
You can explore Pittsburgh with a hop-on, hop-off bus pass. Pittsburgh experiences include bike tours full of stories, guided whiskey-themed walks and craft beer sampling on a multi-brewery tour.
For Pittsburgh hotels with great reviews, try the Italian villa-style Priory Hotel or the often good value Drury Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown.
Indianapolis to Philadelphia drive: Flight 93 National Memorial
The Flight 93 National Memorial pays tribute to the fourth plane that crashed on 9/11. This is the plane that was heading for the US Capitol Building, but the crew and passengers fought the hijackers until it crashed in a field.
The Flight 93 National Memorial is near the settlement of Shanksville. The Visitor Centre tells the story of what happened on board, while the 93ft-tall Tower of Voices plays 40 wind chimes, acting as the voices of the 40 passengers and crew.

More Indianapolis road trips
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More Philadelphia road trips
Philadelphia to Baltimore | Boston to Philadelphia | Philadelphia to Charlotte | Chicago to Philadelphia | Philadelphia to Cincinnati | Cleveland to Philadelphia | Columbus to Philadelphia | Dallas to Philadelphia | Philadelphia to Denver | Philadelphia to Detroit | Philadelphia to Fort Lauderdale | Harrisburg to Philadelphia | Hartford to Philadelphia | Houston to Philadelphia | Philadelphia to Myrtle Beach | New Haven to Philadelphia | New York City to Philadelphia | Pittsburgh to Philadelphia | Raleigh NC to Philadelphia | Philadelphia to Richmond VA | St Louis to Philadelphia | Philadelphia to Tampa | Philadelphia to Washington DC | Philadelphia to Wilmington NC.