Interstate 64: Louisville to Interstate 69 – Indiana

Traveling west along Interstate 64 from Louisville, Kentucky, to Interstate 69 in southern Indiana offers a scenic and surprisingly peaceful drive across a mix of urban outskirts, forested hills, and quiet farming communities. The route covers just over 95 miles and captures a unique slice of southern Indiana—where rolling hills meet hardwood forests and small-town Americana is alive and well.

We begin our journey on the western edge of Louisville, where I-64 crosses the Ohio River via the Sherman Minton Bridge. This double-decked span is a vital link between Kentucky and Indiana, carrying six lanes of traffic high above the water. Once across, we find ourselves in New Albany, Indiana—a historic river town with a growing arts scene and a charming downtown area. It’s worth noting that if you have extra time before hitting the open road, New Albany offers some interesting detours, including the Carnegie Center for Art and History and a number of cozy coffee shops along Main Street.

As we leave New Albany behind, we pass through the interchange with Interstate 265, which loops around the north, east, and south sides of the metro area. From here, I-64 turns to a more westward heading, quickly trading the urban backdrop for a wooded corridor that feels far removed from the city. This stretch of highway runs parallel to the southern edge of Indiana’s rugged hill country, where dense forests and winding creeks dominate the landscape. We’re now entering the Harrison-Crawford State Forest and the O’Bannon Woods State Park region—two protected areas that together cover tens of thousands of acres. The forested hills here are especially vibrant in fall, making this route a favorite among leaf-peepers in late October.

Just past Corydon—the former capital of Indiana—you won’t see much in the way of large towns, but the scenery more than makes up for it. Corydon itself sits just south of the interstate and makes a good stopping point for those interested in history. The town is home to Indiana’s first state capitol building and a well-preserved town square. There are also a few local restaurants if you’re in need of a break before continuing the drive.

Continuing westbound, we pass through the heart of southern Indiana, where farmland and forest alternate in a patchwork of natural beauty. The highway skirts by several small towns—St. Croix, Sulphur, and Selvin among them—none of which are large enough to command their own exits, but each gives a fleeting glimpse of rural Indiana life. These are places where time seems to move a little slower, and the drive itself becomes part of the experience.

Further along, we reach Lynnville, which is the largest town we’ve seen in a while and home to a couple of roadside services if you need fuel or food. There’s also Lynnville Park and a large lake nearby that make for a peaceful detour if you’re feeling adventurous. This area also lies just east of the coal country that characterizes parts of southwestern Indiana, with signs of mining operations occasionally visible from the highway.

Finally, we approach our destination: the junction with Interstate 69. This interchange marks the end of our trip along I-64, and from here you can turn south toward Evansville—a major regional hub with everything from shopping to a revitalized downtown—or continue north on I-69 toward Bloomington and Indianapolis. Either direction offers new adventures, but the stretch we’ve just covered provides a nice balance of scenic solitude, forested beauty, and historical stops.