Lewes, DE to Nashville, IN: Road Trip Guide via I-68 & I-70

The Lewes, DE to Nashville, IN road trip spans roughly 670 miles, crossing the Delmarva Peninsula, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, and the Appalachian Mountains. A notable feature: the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (US-13) includes two tunnels and four bridges, saving 95 miles compared to driving around the bay. This route demands around 11 hours of driving with stops, passing through Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Indiana. The best stops Lewes, DE to Nashville, IN include scenic overlooks and small towns, but careful planning ensures you see more than highway.

Whether you wonder how long to drive Lewes, DE to Nashville, IN or is it worth driving Lewes, DE to Nashville, IN, this guide answers with exact costs, attractions, and hidden gems. For more on discovering offbeat stops, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Starting from Lewes, DE (at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal) follow US-9 west to Georgetown, then US-113 south to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. After crossing into Maryland, use US-50 west to I-68 near Hancock. I-68 cuts through mountainous Maryland and West Virginia, then merges with I-70 near Hancock. I-70 continues west through Pennsylvania and Ohio into Indiana. The final approach to Nashville, IN uses IN-46 west from I-70 at the Columbus, IN exit.

• Tolls: Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel ($14 per car). No other tolls on main route.
• Estimated fuel cost: $90–$110 (if gas at $3.30/gal, 20 mpg). Prices vary; cheaper in OH/IN.
• Best fuel stops: Hagerstown, MD (exit 32 on I-70); Columbus, OH (rest area off I-70).
• Traffic: Avoid I-70 through Columbus, OH during 4–6 PM (delays up to 30 min).

Rest areas along I-68 near Sideling Hill are scenic but sparse; plan fuel in advance. Sideling Hill exhibit center (milepost 74 on I-68) offers a geological cut view. The route is well-maintained except in winter when mountain sections can be icy. Check weather for I-68 elevation (up to 2,300 ft).

Infrastructure Safety & Road Quality: I-68 and I-70 are interstates with good pavement, but I-68 has sharp curves and steep grades in the mountains. Watch for deer, especially at dawn/dusk near Sideling Hill. Construction common on I-70 in Ohio; check ODOT alerts. Family and Child Suitability: The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is kid-friendly, with educational signs at the rest area. The Sideling Hill exhibit center fascinates geology lovers. The Children's Museum of Indianapolis (1.5 hr from Nashville) is a day trip option. Pet-Friendly Framework: Many rest stops allow pets on leash. The Red Roof Inn in Cambridge, MD (off US-50) is pet-friendly. Brown County State Park has a dog-friendly hiking trail.

Fatigue Management & Rest Zones: Plan stops every 2 hours. Recommended stops: Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel rest area (mile 0 of US-13), Sideling Hill Rest Area (I-68 MM 74), Buckeye Lake Rest Area (I-70 east of Columbus). Hidden Off-Route Spots: Visit the town of Berkeley Springs, WV (historic mineral spa) just off I-70 in Maryland. The Good Zoo in Wheeling, WV (10 min off I-70) is a hidden gem. Or detour to Hocking Hills State Park (Ohio) for waterfalls, though it adds 1 hour. Things to do between Lewes, DE and Nashville, IN include canoeing the Potomac at Hancock, MD, or wine tasting at Oliver Winery in Bloomington, IN (30 min from Nashville).

The drive transitions from coastal plains to Appalachian ridges. After crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, you'll see marshlands and farmland along US-50. The Sideling Hill cut on I-68 is a dramatic rock exposure—stop at the rest area. In Maryland, the route passes near the C&O Canal National Historical Park (off US-40). Farther west, I-70 runs through Ohio farm country and past the National Road (historic US-40).

• Natural Landscapes & Attractions: Sideling Hill (I-68); Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel views; Catoctin Mountain Park (near Frederick, MD); Brown County State Park (near Nashville, IN).
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: None directly on route, but Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture in Columbus, IN is on the tentative list (including the Miller House).
• Climatic Conditions & Route Aesthetics: Spring and fall offer best scenery (wildflowers or foliage). Summer: humid in MD/OH; mountain stretches cooler. Winter: risk of snow on I-68.
• Culinary Infrastructure: Stop at Dutch's Daughter in Frederick, MD (family-style); Maid-Rite in Springfield, OH (loose meat sandwich); Big Woods Pizza in Nashville, IN (wood-fired).
• Local Commerce & Culture: Nashville, IN has art galleries and antique shops; Brown County Playhouse. Also explore the Columbus, IN architecture tour (free walking tour app).