Let’s be honest: driving across I-70 can feel like a game of “how many barns can I count before I lose my mind?”, but between the Ohio border and the outskirts of Indy lies a stretch of East Central Indiana that is secretly packed with ancient history, natural wonders, and the best-packed fudge in the galaxy. If you’re looking for things to do between Ohio and Indianapolis, you just found your guide.
If you’re tired of the “interstate trance,” it’s time to take a detour. Here is your official East Central Indiana road trip guide to the best I-70 Indiana pit stops – for your sanity and your sweet tooth.
Stop 1: The Gateway – Uranus Fudge Factory (Richmond, IN)
Your journey starts at the eastern gateway of Indiana in Richmond. Most travelers just see the gas stations near the exit, but they are missing out on a city with a “Model T” soul and a “Jazz Age” heartbeat.
The Uranus Experience: Uranus Richmond is your first essential I-70 Indiana pit stop anchor. Located right on the historic National Road (US 40), this is where you shake off the road weariness. You won’t get a polite, whispered “hello” here. You’ll get that iconic, full-throated “Welcome to Uranus!” shout the second you step through the door. It’s scientifically proven to be more effective than a double espresso for waking up a tired driver.
Spend some time browsing the General Store. Richmond has a deep connection to American manufacturing, and we like to think our Fudge Packers are carrying on that tradition of hard work (just with more chocolate and better jokes.)
The Natural Sanity Saver, Thistlethwaite Falls:
Just five minutes from the shop is a site that feels like it belongs in the Pacific Northwest, not the Midwest: Thistlethwaite Falls. Back in the 1800s, Timothy Thistlethwaite had a problem-he needed more water power for his sawmill. His solution? He literally blasted a new channel into the West Fork of the Whitewater River.
The result was an “accidental” waterfall that is now a top-rated Indiana landmark. It’s a stunning, man-made curtain of water where you can walk right up to the edge, feel the mist on your face, and hunt for ancient fossils in the limestone beds. It’s the perfect place to reset your brain before the next leg of the trip.
Traveler’s Tip: Richmond is also the “Cradle of Recorded Jazz.” If you have an extra twenty minutes, walk the Gennett Records Walk of Fame to see where legends like Louis Armstrong and Hoagy Carmichael made their first recordings.
Stop 2: The Middle – Antique Alley & the “Giant Candle”
As you hop back on the road and head west, the interstate tries to lull you back to sleep. Resist. Take the US 40 “National Road” route between Richmond and Knightstown to experience Antique Alley, Indiana’s most eclectic stretch of East Central Indiana road trip territory.
The Antique Capital (Centerville, IN): Centerville looks like a town frozen in time, and that’s because it basically is. Known for its unique “archways” (narrow alleyways built between buildings in the 1800s), this town is the heart of a trail featuring over 1,200 antique dealers.
Why is this a sanity saver? Because hunting for weird treasures is the ultimate brain stimulant. You’ll find everything from vintage gas station signs to 1950s lunchboxes and primitive farm tools. It’s a scavenger hunt across 30 miles of Indiana countryside.
The “Warm Glow” Phenomenon: You literally cannot miss the Warm Glow Candle Store. This isn’t just a shop; it’s a roadside phenomenon. The main building is shaped like a giant, lumpy candle complete with a copper “flame” on top. It is the definition of a US 40/National Road oddity.
Inside, it’s a massive labyrinth of scents, home decor, and local Indiana snacks. It’s the kind of place where you go in for a quick look and come out forty-five minutes later with three scented pillars and a jar of local apple butter.
Stop 3: The Finale – Uranus #2 & The Ancient Mounds (Anderson, IN)
You’ve navigated the antiques and the waterfalls, and now you’ve reached the home stretch of East Central Indiana. To close out your I-70 Indiana pit stop tour, you’re heading to Anderson.
The Uranus Expansion: Welcome to Uranus Anderson. We are strategically located right off Exit 222.2 on I-69. (Seriously, the universe wanted us here: look at those numbers). This location is a massive expansion of the Uranus brand. If you missed a specific flavor in Richmond, or if you already ate your first pound of fudge (we don’t judge), this is your chance for redemption.
Anderson has a high-energy vibe that matches our brand perfectly. It’s a city built on grit and speed (look up theAnderson Speedway if you want to see cars racing on a track so steep it looks like a wall). We’ve brought that same intensity to the fudge counter.
The Spiritual Sanity Saver: Mounds State Park: Once you’ve stocked up on your second round of fudge, head 10 minutes down the road to Mounds State Park. This isn’t your typical playground-and-picnic-table park. It features 10 unique earthworks built by the prehistoric Adena-Hopewell people around 160 B.C.
The “Great Mound” is a massive, circular structure used for ancient ceremonies and astronomical alignments. Standing in the center of these earthworks, surrounded by towering hardwoods and the sound of the White River, is a spiritual experience. It’s quiet, hauntingly beautiful, and the perfect place to hike off the “car-seat stiffness” that settles in after a long haul.
Why the I-70 Indiana Road Trip Rules:
Most people see Indiana at 70 mph from a window. By stopping in Richmond, Centerville, and Anderson, you’re seeing the waterfalls, the ancient history, and the quirky culture that makes the state actually cool.
The I-70 Sanity Saver isn’t just about getting from Point A to Point B; it’s about making sure you actually enjoy the journey. You’re trading the gray asphalt for green forests, ancient limestone, and a community that knows how to pack a joke as well as they pack a box of chocolate.
The Sanity Saver Checklist:
- Get Greeted: Experience the “Welcome to Uranus” shout in Richmond.
- Find a Fossil: Walk the limestone beds at Thistlethwaite Falls.
- Hunt for a Treasure: Find one weird thing in Antique Alley.
- See the Flame: Take a selfie with giant Warm Glow candle.
- Touch History: Walk the Great Mound in Anderson.
- Double Down: Buy a second box of fudge in Anderson because you know the first one won’t last until Indianapolis.
Whether you’re hunting for fossils, ancient mounds, or just the best-packed fudge in the Midwest, this East Central Indiana road trip is the best I-70 Indiana pit stop route you’ll find. And if you’re continuing on to Indianapolis, we’ve got you covered there too.
Final Road Tip: Keep A Taste of Uranus Sampler in the passenger seat. It’s scientifically proven to make the drive between Anderson and Indianapolis feel 50% shorter.