Interstate 865 Indiana

History
East End
West End

Overview

Known locally as “the dogleg,” Interstate 865 is a short connector freeway northwest of Indianapolis between I-65 at Royalton and I-465 near Zionsville. The route was commissioned to alleviate confusion with having Interstate 465 radiate outwards in three different directions from one interchange.

There are no interchanges on Interstate 865, however, there was previous discussion about adding ramps at Copper Road.

History

The dogleg for I-465 was approved as an addition to Interstate 465 by AASHTO on June 30, 1970.

Signage for Interstate 865 was installed by May 2002. Approval from AASHTO came later at the Route Numbering subcommittee meeting on November 5, 2002.

Route Information

  • East End – Zionsville, IN

  • West End – Royalton, IN

  • Mileage – 5.03

  • Cities – Indianapolis

  • Junctions – I-65 I-465

Source: December 31, 2018 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

I-865 Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT)

Location Vehicles per day
I-65 to I-465 32,002

Source: 2018 AADT – INDOT Traffic Count Database System

Highway Guides

East End I-465 US 52 – Zionsville, Indiana

Perspective from Interstate 865 east
I-865 advances one mile east to Interstate 465 from mile marker 3.2. There are no control cities for the Indianapolis Beltway. Photo taken by Brian Dowd (11/29/02).
I-865 east concludes at the northwest corner of Interstate 465 at an unnumbered directional T interchange. U.S. 52 accompanies I-465 eastward as the beltway straddles the Hamilton and Marion County line. Photo taken by Brian Dowd (11/29/02).
Interstate 465 south passes through the Park 100 area of Indianapolis to Eagle Creek Park while the beltway eastbound continues to Carmel and Castleton. Photo taken by Jeff Morrison (08/06/05).
Perspective from Interstate 465 west
Leaving the exchange with U.S. 421 (Exit 27), I-465 next meets the westbound beginning of Interstate 865 (Exit 25). Photo taken 10/16/04.
Interstate 465 makes a turn off to stay on (TOTSO) movement as it turns south from I-865 and U.S. 52 west (Exit 25). Photo taken 10/16/04.
The Interstate 465 mainline follows a two-lane directional ramp at the split with Interstate 865 west (Exit 25). Photo taken 10/16/04.
Historic Perspective from Interstate 465 west
The original overhead signs posted at the left exit for Interstate 865 west and U.S. 52 north from the outer loop of I-465. Photo taken by Brian Dowd (04/20/02).
Perspective from Interstate 465 north
I-465 crosses the Marion County line just ahead of Exit 25 and the eastern turn along the North Side of Indianapolis. Photo taken 11/05/09.
Interstate 865 and unsigned U.S. 52 link the beltway with I-65 north to Lebanon, Lafayette and Gary. Photo taken 11/05/09.
Exit 25 departs Interstate 465 north from the left side for I-865 & U.S. 52 west as the beltway turns east toward Carmel and Interstate 69. Photo taken by Brian Dowd (11/29/02).

West End I-65 US 52 – Royalton, Indiana

Perspective from Interstate 865 & U.S. 52 west
Traffic from westbound Interstate 865 directly merges onto northbound Interstate 65 at a wye interchange. U.S. 52 north continues along I-65 north to Lebanon. Photo taken 10/16/04.
Perspective from Interstate 65 south
The first sign for I-865 east precedes the exchange (Exit 130) with Oak Street (former Indiana 334). Photo taken by Thomas Decker (03/24/11).
Exit 129 signage simply references the I-865 east connection with Interstate 465 near Zionsville. Interstate 465 leads south from I-865 to Park 100. Photo taken by Thomas Decker (03/24/11).
Interstate 65 southbound was expanded to four overall lanes between Exit 130 (Oak Street) and the split with Interstate 865 east (Exit 129) in 2010. Photo taken by Thomas Decker (03/24/11).
U.S. 52 separates from I-65 south for Interstate 865 east to I-65 for Carmel, Allisonville and Castleton. Photo taken by Thomas Decker (03/24/11).
Historic Perspective from Interstate 65 south
U.S. 52 shields on button copy signs for Exit 129 were replaced with markers for I-865. Photo taken by Jeff Morrison (08/06/05).
All US Highways and State Roads are routed onto the Indianapolis Beltway to bypass the city. U.S. 52 is no exception, using Interstate 865 east to the inner loop of In-465 to Exit 47. Photo taken by Brian Dowd (04/20/02).
One half mile ahead of the former Interstate 465 Dog Leg on Interstate 65 & U.S. 52 south. Photo taken by Jeff Morrison (08/06/05.
I-65 southbound at Exit 129 for I-865 east & U.S. 52 south. This sign bridge was replaced during freeway widening in 2010. Photo taken by Jeff Morrison (08/06/05).

Page updated August 22, 2012.