Major city · United States
Terre Haute
Give Terre Haute one night, or two if you want the museums and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods: it is a car stop on I-70, not a walkable city break.
Terre Haute is a Wabash Valley city of about 61,000 people, an hour southwest of Indianapolis on I-70 and roughly 180 mi (300 km) south of Chicago. It is a university and industrial town with a small downtown, a free art museum, a Holocaust museum and a French-named history that goes back to the early 1800s. Sights are spread out and the bus system is limited, so a car or a rideshare is the practical way to see it. Most travellers use it as a single overnight on a longer Midwest drive.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), Jan–Feb (ice and cold)
- Airports
- IND · HUF
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Terre Haute911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Terre Haute, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyTerre Haute is generally a safe small city; use the usual city precautions, avoid unlit areas after dark and do not flash cash.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · +1 911 police, fire, ambulance from a foreign phone (us country code +1)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportIND Indianapolis International Airport (About 1–1.5 h east by car on I-70; the airport most people here actually use.
- Getting aroundA car is the easiest way to move around Terre Haute; the city is spread out and the public bus runs Monday–Saturday only, roughly 6AM–6PM.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealSteakhouse dinnerJ. Fords Black Angus, upscale-casual.$30–60
- Street or quick mealDeli sandwichOy Vey Bakery & Deli range.$10–20
- Metro or bus rideCity bus rideSince 2025; Monday–Saturday only (check).Free
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entrySwope and Debs House free; CANDLES about $5 (check).$0–5
- Budget bedFamily room or suite (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$140
- Mid-range bedMid-range chain double room, a night, per roomUS$140
- High-end bedMid-range chain double room, a night, per roomUS$220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- IND Indianapolis International Airport (About 1–1.5 h east by car on I-70; the airport most people here actually use. Rental cars available at the airport.) · HUF Terre Haute Regional Airport (No scheduled commercial flights since 1999; general aviation only.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C) low), wettest Apr (11 rain days), driest Feb (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Terre Haute: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
9 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
8 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Dec
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the easiest way to move around Terre Haute; the city is spread out and the public bus runs Monday–Saturday only, roughly 6AM–6PM. Since 2025 the city bus has been free to ride (check current routes and hours). Downtown and the north side around Wabash Avenue are the most walkable parts. Street speed limits are generally 30 mph (48 km/h).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1–1.5 h
I-70 east by car
Big-city museums, food and the airport; easy as a half-day or a transfer stop.
Door to door: check
By car; route and travel time check
Home of Purdue; consider it when already travelling north.
Crawfordsville
cautionDoor to door: check
By car; route and travel time check
A possible stop when travelling east; check local details before planning a detour.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
goDoor to door: About 20 min
SR-150 northwest, by car
Sisters of Providence grounds with shrines, gardens and an alpaca herd; allow a half-day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / Wabash Avenue
Walkable core near the Swope Art Museum and the Children's Museum; a few hotels on Wabash Ave. Best if you want to park once and walk to dinner.
I-70 / US-41 exit cluster
Chain hotels off the Highway 41 exit with easy interstate access and free parking; the default for a one-night drive stop.
Near Indiana State University
Mid-range hotels close to campus and the Hampton Inn cluster; useful for campus visits and quieter nights.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–170 excl. bed
- High
- $170+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range chain double room1 × 1 night × US$140 | US$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$70 · check | US$70 |
| Fuel, Indianapolis round trip1 × US$25 · check | US$25 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$53 |
| Trip total≈ US$289 per person per day, bed included | US$578 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax is added at checkout and is not included. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Deli sandwichOy Vey Bakery & Deli range. | $10–20 |
| DonutSquare Donuts on Wabash Ave. | $2–4 |
| Indian entree (feeds two)Taj Mahal, South 3rd Street. | $10–15 |
| Steakhouse dinnerJ. Fords Black Angus, upscale-casual. | $30–60 |
| Museum entrySwope and Debs House free; CANDLES about $5 (check). | $0–5 |
| City bus rideSince 2025; Monday–Saturday only (check). | Free |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Railroad crossings cut through the city: expect to be held at a train, especially near downtown.
- The public bus stops in the early evening and does not run on Sunday; plan dinner and nights around a car or rideshare.
- Spring and summer bring severe thunderstorms and occasional tornado warnings; tune to local TV or radio if the sky turns.
- Some secondary sidewalks and bike routes are in poor condition; cyclists should ride with care.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Police, fire, ambulance from a foreign phone (US country code +1)
- +1 911
Pocket card
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Terre HauteTerre Haute
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Local public bus: Free; Monday–Saturday, roughly 6AM–6PM. Check current routes and hours.
- Rental car, one day: $45–110 plus fuel (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- How much is it? — How much is it?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Terre Haute. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), Jan–Feb (ice and cold) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for IND: drive time, rental desks and a Terre Haute fallback if you land late.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown Wabash Ave, the Swope and Children's Museum block, the Debs House, and the I-70 hotel cluster.
- Place pages with verified hours (Swope, Debs House, CANDLES, Children's Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Severe-weather and railroad-crossing fixtures so arrival gates can go green.