# 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.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b19-southern-indiana/

**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. 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 |
| Route | Indianapolis → Louisville |
| States | IN, KY |
| Updated | May 3, 2026 |

## 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

1. **Indianapolis** (IN)
2. **Columbus** (IN)
3. **Nashville** (IN)
4. **Brown County State Park** (Nashville, IN): Indiana’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.
5. **Bloomington** (IN)
6. **Spring Mill State Park** (Mitchell, IN): A 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.
7. **French Lick** (IN)
8. **Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial** (Lincoln City, IN): The 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.
9. **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.