Take a ride through the beating heart of Indiana as we navigate the urban interstates that tie Indianapolis together. Our journey begins on the eastern edge of the metro, where Interstate 70 merges with the sweeping arc of Interstate 465, the capital city’s beltway. From here, we venture west on I-70, quickly transitioning from the industrial outskirts to the urban core. The skyline of Indianapolis grows larger with each mile, a blend of classic Midwestern architecture and modern glass towers. The drive is smooth but busy, reflecting the pulse of a city that’s both a crossroads and a destination.
Passing through the east side, we skirt neighborhoods like Irvington and the historic Holy Cross district. As we draw closer to downtown, the scenery becomes denser—bridges and overpasses crisscross above us, and exits beckon to iconic city streets like Washington, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. We’re now deep in the “Inner Loop,” the stretch where Interstate 70 and Interstate 65 run concurrently. This section, part of what’s sometimes called the “South Split,” is flanked by urban development, hospitals, and the Indiana Convention Center. Lucas Oil Stadium’s roof glints in the distance, home to the Colts and a familiar landmark for anyone who’s traveled this corridor.
At Exit 100, I-70 splits west toward the airport and Terre Haute, while we remain southbound on Interstate 65, continuing through a corridor that blends commerce with community. These next few miles pulse with traffic from both locals and travelers headed toward Kentucky. While this segment is typically high volume, it offers a clear look at the city’s ongoing efforts to modernize its transportation network. A short 4 miles later, we reach Interstate 465 once again—this time on the south side—and take the westbound lanes as they loop around toward Indiana Highway 37. The traffic thins a bit, and the surroundings shift back toward business parks and wooded buffers, a stark contrast to the urban density we just traversed.
This entire corridor has seen various improvements over the past few years, especially as part of the “Revive I-70” project and broader INDOT modernization efforts. While the footage in this video dates back to 2017, some segments—particularly near downtown—have since seen resurfacing, ramp modifications, and lane configuration changes. In particular, the North Split reconstruction project, completed in 2023, reconfigured parts of I-70 and I-65 downtown to improve traffic flow and safety. Those planning to retrace this route today will encounter a somewhat different flow through the inner city, though the broad layout remains recognizable.
Driving through Indianapolis by interstate offers more than just mobility—it tells a story of a city shaped by its roads. Here, the interstates are not just highways but arteries that reflect the rhythm of the city: its industry, its history, its forward momentum. Whether you’re passing through or heading home, this stretch of I-70, I-65, and I-465 reveals the complexity and dynamism of Indiana’s capital from behind the wheel.
To see each of these routes separately:
I-70 to I-65: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dITvgypvvVE
I-65 to I-465: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg0rAhqbNiE
I-465 to IN-37: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2cm6DkuttM
🎵 Music:
Piano March by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Artist: http://audionautix.com/
🗺️ Route Map
0 Comments