Indiana Driving Guide

Whether you’ve driven in Indiana before or this is your first time visiting, knowing the driving rules in Indiana is essential for any upcoming road trip or vacation. From speed limits to toll roads, read on to discover the complete guide to driving in the Hoosier State.

Jump to a section:

• Quick rules of the road
• Speed limits
• Toll roads
• Driving ages
• Essential equipment
• Speed violations
• Driving with children
• Gas prices
• Electric car charging
• Driving between Indiana and other states
• Driving conditions

Quick rules of the road

• All vehicles will need to stop, yield the right of way, move aside or change lane for an emergency vehicle. If you can’t change lanes for any reason, reduce your speed to 10mph.
• You will need to change lanes away from any parked vehicles with amber flashing lights.
• You must give a turn signal at least 200 feet before turning or changing lanes – or at least 300ft in a speed zone over 50mph.
• Headlights should be used between sunset and sunrise and when visibility is less than 500 feet.
• It is illegal for a driver to hold any mobile devices such as tablets and cell phones. 

Speed limits in Indiana

The maximum speed limit in Indiana differs for cars and trucks on certain roads, so it’s important to know what to expect when driving in different areas.

Toll roads in Indiana

Indiana Toll Road

Spanning the width of northern Indiana, the Indiana Toll Road – officially known as the Indiana East-West Toll Road – connects the Chicago Skyway to the Ohio Turnpike. The toll road operates a fixed rate for both cars and trucks based on distance travelled, as well as your vehicle's weight and axle.

From: Illinois state line

To: Ohio state line

Cost for car: $13.50 for full-length of told road.

Cost for truck: $26.80-$85.90, depending on number of axles.

How to pay: You can easily pay for the Indiana Toll Road online using E-ZPass or in-person with cash.

Cline Avenue Bridge

While there are several toll bridges on the outskirts of Indiana’s border, the only toll bridge within the state is Cline Avenue Bridge. Nestled in East Chicago, near Indiana Harbor, the toll bridge carries State Road 912 towards the I-90 that runs into Illinois.

From: Riley Road, East Chicago, Indiana

To: Dickey Road, East Chicago, Indiana

Cost for car: $2.75 with E-ZPass, $6.75 with pay by plate

Cost for truck: $7.50-$15.50, depending on axles and payment method.

How to pay: You can use E-ZPass to benefit from the reduced cost, or pay by plate.

Abraham Lincoln Bridge

Stretching across the Ohio River, the Abraham Lincoln Bridge connects Louisville in Kentucky to Jeffersonville in Indiana for easy access to the neighboring states.

From: Louisville, Kentucky

To: Jeffersonville, Indiana

Cost for car: $2.40 with RiverLink, $4.80 with unregistered plate

Cost for truck: Up to $14.38, depending on axles

How to pay: You can use E-ZPass or RiverLink.

John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge

The John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge runs parallel next to the Abraham Lincoln Bridge, across the Ohio River between Louisville and Jeffersonville.

From: Louisville, Kentucky

To: Jeffersonville, Indiana

Cost for car: $2.40 with RiverLink, $4.80 with unregistered plate

Cost for truck: Up to $14.38, depending on axles

How to pay: You can use E-ZPass or RiverLink.

Lewis and Clark Bridge

The Lewis and Clark Bridge is located slightly further up the Ohio River, near Utica, Indiana. It connects Kentucky’s Gene Snyder Freeway with Indiana’s State Road 265, as part of US Route 265.

From: Gene Snyder Freeway, Kentucky

To: Old Salem Road, Indiana

Cost for car: $2.40 with RiverLink, $4.80 with unregistered plate

Cost for truck: Up to $14.38, depending on axles

How to pay: You can use E-ZPass, RiverLink, card or pay by plate.

Driving ages and license requirements in Indiana

• The minimum driving age in Indiana is 16 years and 90 days old.
• The minimum age to rent a car in Indiana is 21 years old.
• Your driver’s license must be in good standing for a year.

If you’re under 25 and looking to rent with Hertz, you can choose from a wide range of cars, including SUVs. Our Dream Car® collection, Prestige collection, and the Adrenaline Collection® are excluded. Find out more about renting in our handy guide for drivers under 25.

Essential equipment to carry in your car in Indiana

You are recommended, especially in the winter months, to carry the following items in your vehicle:

• Driver’s permit
• Insurance details
• Car hire agreement
• Strips of carpet for traction
• Booster cables
• Blankets
• Shovel
• Flashlight
• Extra clothing
• Candles
• Matches
• Nonperishable snack food
• Bottled water
• First aid kit.

Trucks are also required to carry:

• Two red tail lamps, one rear white license plate lamp
• At least one red stop-lamp
• Vehicular Hazard Warning Flashing Lamps
• Warning Devices for Stopped Vehicles

Indiana speed violations, infractions and penalties

Breaking the speed limit in Indiana can have serious consequences. You should stick to the given speed limit for any road you’re on.

If caught speeding, penalties can vary between each Indiana court. On the ticket, you’ll find the fine amount, and the court in charge of processing the violation.

As well as a fine, drivers in Indiana can face local court fines and penalties – the court will determine these too.

Driving with children in Indiana

Car seats are usually required by law when travelling with children. However, the type of car seats needed may vary depending on age.

Here are the car seat requirements for driving with children in Indiana.

• Rear-facing car seats are required for children under 12 months and children weighing less than 20lbs.
• It is recommended to try and keep children in rear-facing car seats for as long as possible.
• Children between the ages of one and eight years old  must be fastened securely in either a forward-facing child safety seat or booster seat.
• Children under 13 years old should not sit in the front of the vehicle. While this isn’t a law, it is a recommendation.

Gas prices in Indiana

The average gas price in Indiana is $3.17 per gallon.

Based on manufacturers’ average fuel figures:

• For a small car like a Chevrolet Spark, that’s about $0.10 per mile.
• For a larger family car like a Nissan Rogue, it works out at $0.10 per mile.
• And for an SUV like a Ford Expedition, it’s around $0.14 per mile.

Gas price figure last updated December 14, 2022.

Electric car charging in Indiana

There are over 320 charging stations across Indiana. They’re located in major cities, such as Indianapolis, and key roads throughout the state. On top of this, $100 million has been pledged to enhance Indiana’s electric car charging over the next five years.

Driving between Indiana and other states

One of the benefits of choosing Hertz is that you can pick-up and drop-off your car rental at different Hertz locations across the country. If you’re choosing to start in Indianapolis, then Cincinnati, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky are just 2 hours away.

Other neighboring states include:

• Missouri
• Iowa
• Michigan

If planning a road trip, please note there are separate rules on crossing country lines. If traveling into Canada, please let a member of the Hertz team know at the collection point in Indiana and they will advise on any restrictions.

Driving conditions in Indiana

In Indiana, there are certain weather conditions you can expect to see throughout the year. If visiting in winter, a four-wheel drive SUV is a great option due to snow and icy road conditions – especially in the northern parts of the state. The colder months span from December to March, with lows of 21.2°F and highs of 37.4°F.

Storms are common in Indiana, so it’s recommended that you check the latest weather or travel conditions on the day.

The warmer months run from May to September, with highs of 82.4°F and lows of 62.6°F. Temperatures tend to be warmer in the south – perfect for exploring Hoosier National Forest or exploring the sights along the Ohio River.