183 miles · Est. 2.8 hours · Avg $2.25/mile · Gross $412
Day-Trip Economics
Fuel Estimate
$68
Based on avg diesel price
Toll Estimate
$15
Varies by route and state
Net After Costs
$329
Before your other costs
Lane Overview
183
Miles
$2.25
Avg rate/mile
$412
Avg gross rate
competitive
Competition
Indianapolis to Chicago northbound on I-65 is the automotive and manufacturing return to the Midwest's largest city. Indianapolis's Subaru plant and Honda facility in Greensburg, combined with the city's vast manufacturing network, generates automotive parts, consumer goods, and manufacturing components heading north to Chicago's industrial supply chain and retail distribution. Competitive rates at $2.15–$2.35/mile reflect the very high carrier density on I-65 north.
I-65 north through Lafayette and Rensselaer, IN is fast and flat. The Indiana Toll Road connection at Gary, IN adds $15 in tolls for the Chicago approach. I-65 merges with I-90/I-94 near the Illinois border — the Chicago Skyway tolls are part of this approach. Chicago south side delivery on I-94 through the Ryan Expressway is heavy during morning rush. Return Chicago to Indianapolis (Lane 14) brings consumer goods and distribution freight southbound. This lane suits local Midwest carriers running multiples per week for stacked mileage rather than one-way long-haul operators.
Driver Tip
Short lane, fast turn. Margin on short runs is unforgiving. Use our Load Profitability Calculator to verify this load covers your costs before accepting.
What Moves on This Lane
Common Equipment
Return Freight
Chicago to Indianapolis
183 miles · $2.20/mile avg
Similar Routes
Driver's Complete Guide
Indianapolis to Chicago on I-65 is one of the Midwest's busiest regional corridors. The automotive parts freight from Indy's Subaru plant and Honda's Greensburg facility are genuinely high-value loads that can push rates above the lane average, but the basic consumer goods traffic keeps rates competitive and carrier supply high. This is a regional operator's lane — owner-operators based in the Indianapolis or Chicago area who can run multiples per week are the ones making it work profitably.
Subaru of Indiana Automotive in Lafayette, IN and Honda Manufacturing of Indiana in Greensburg generate JIT automotive parts heading north to Chicago-area assembly supplier networks. Consumer goods from Indianapolis's substantial distribution infrastructure — Walmart, Amazon, and multiple national retailers have major Indy facilities — flow north to Chicago's retail market. Manufacturing components from central Indiana's broad industrial base round out the load mix. The flatbed component is more interesting than typical regional lanes due to the auto sector.
I-65 north from Indianapolis through Lebanon and Lafayette — Lafayette is roughly 65 miles north and has the Subaru plant nearby, so it's a potential pickup point for automotive loads. Rensselaer, IN at mile 120 has truck stop infrastructure for fuel and rest. Gary, IN at the Illinois border is where the Indiana Toll Road (I-90/94) east-west corridor intersects — Chicago approach from here via I-94 south (Dan Ryan Expressway) is standard for south side delivery. Illinois tolls begin on I-90/I-94 near the Illinois border. The Rensselaer weigh station on I-65 northbound is active and checks regularly. Chicago south side delivery: the area around I-94/I-57 interchange in the Halsted/Stony Island industrial corridor.
At $2.15–$2.35/mile for 183 miles, this is not the lane to get rich on individual loads. The math only works when you run multiples. A regional owner-operator doing two round trips per week on this corridor — Indianapolis north, Chicago south, repeat — can stack $1,400–$1,600 per week with low deadhead. That's the play. Automotive parts loads at the high end of the rate range are the targets worth pursuing.
Chicago to Indianapolis (Lane 14) southbound carries consumer goods, distribution freight, and intermodal drayage loads south at comparable rates. Chicago's freight availability makes the return load easy to find.
Are the Subaru Lafayette loads worth pursuing, and how do I get them?
Yes — automotive JIT parts from Subaru of Indiana Automotive run north to Chicago-area suppliers and pay well. Contact auto parts brokers who specialize in Midwest OEM freight. Direct relationships with Subaru's logistics providers are the path to consistent access.
What's the Chicago approach like on I-94 during morning rush?
The Dan Ryan Expressway (I-94/I-90) south of downtown is consistently congested 6:30–9am northbound. Plan to arrive at your Chicago delivery point before 6:30am or after 9am. The south side industrial corridor is actually closer to the end of the Ryan, not downtown — many south side deliveries don't require going into the worst congestion.
Is there a weigh station northbound on I-65?
Yes, near Rensselaer, IN. Active and checks commercial vehicles. Standard axle limits — make sure you're legal before departure from Indy.
Dispatch Service
TruckLeap dispatches dry van and flatbed carriers on lanes like this — 6% fee, no contracts.
Our dispatch team finds Indianapolis to Chicago loads daily and negotiates top-of-market rates. Apply free.
Apply for Dispatch Service