Southern Indiana hills: Columbus architecture to Lincoln’s boyhood
Modern architecture in Columbus, the art village of Nashville and Brown County’s forests, a pioneer mill and the farm where Lincoln grew up.
- Distance
- 442 km (275 mi)
- Driving
- 4 h 54 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 9
- States
- IN, KY
- Updated
- May 3, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 442 km (275 mi) with 9 stops, from Indianapolis to Louisville. About 4 h 54 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Indiana, Kentucky
Route description
From Indianapolis take I-65 south to Columbus, about 45 minutes. This small town has an unusual number of modern buildings by famous architects such as Eero Saarinen and I. M. Pei, paid for by a local company. Guided tours leave from the visitor center downtown. From Columbus take IN-46 west through the hills to Nashville, about 30 minutes.
Nashville is a small arts town full of galleries and craft shops, and it is very busy on October weekends. Brown County State Park, just outside town, has ridge-top roads with overlooks, hiking and horse trails, and large campgrounds. The north entrance crosses a covered bridge built in 1838; large RVs should use the west gate on IN-46.
Continue west on IN-46 to Bloomington, a university town, and then south on IN-37 to Mitchell and Spring Mill State Park, about 1 hour. The park’s pioneer village is open from spring to autumn, and boat tours run into Twin Caves in summer. From Mitchell follow IN-37 and IN-56 to French Lick, a historic spa town with a restored domed hotel in neighboring West Baden Springs and a scenic railway.
From French Lick take IN-145 and IN-162 or US-231 south to Lincoln City and the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, about 1 hour. The living history farm is open in summer. Lincoln State Park next door has a campground and a lake. From here it is about 1 hour 30 minutes east on I-64 to Louisville. Spring and autumn are best, and the hill roads are winding.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Indianapolis
IN - 279 km
Columbus
IN - 334 km
Nashville
IN - 45 km
Brown County State Park
NatureNashville, INIndiana’s largest state park, with forest ridges and overlooks such as Hesitation Point, especially popular in October leaf season. Enter through the covered bridge at the north gate.
- 531 km
Bloomington
IN - 659 km
Spring Mill State Park
HistoryMitchell, INA restored 1800s pioneer village around a working stone grist mill, plus caves, including a boat tour in Twin Caves. A Gus Grissom memorial honors the astronaut from nearby Mitchell.
- 732 km
French Lick
IN - 870 km
Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial
HistoryLincoln City, INThe farm where Abraham Lincoln lived from age 7 to 21, with his mother’s grave, a memorial hall and a living history farm open in summer. Next to Lincoln State Park.
- 9131 km
Louisville
KY
FAQs
How long is Southern Indiana hills: Columbus architecture to Lincoln’s boyhood?
4-day road trip of about 442 km (275 mi) with 9 stops, from Indianapolis to Louisville. About 4 h 54 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Southern Indiana hills: Columbus architecture to Lincoln’s boyhood?
We suggest 4 days: about 4 h 54 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Southern Indiana hills: Columbus architecture to Lincoln’s boyhood start and end?
It starts in Indianapolis and ends in Louisville.
Which states does Southern Indiana hills: Columbus architecture to Lincoln’s boyhood pass through?
Indiana and Kentucky.
