For anyone traveling on I-65, there will be a major renovation that is planned from July 1 - August 5 this year. I-65 will be closed on the North side of downtown during this time, as well as a bridge on the NW side of Indy. For more details, go to https://www.in.gov/indot/3687.htm
They've been making announcements on the radio lately. I don't usually take I-65. I'm on the south side of Indianapolis and it's quicker to take side streets; mainly Madison and East. I'm worried about how detouring commuters is gonna affect my morning commute.
I am coming from west side of Michigan, I usually take I-69 to M. Luther King to get to the downtown, should hopefully be construction free there.
Can I take Bluff road coming in from the south?
Tentatively I would stay at Baden Manor area at Epler and Bluff streets. Is it going to be a pain to go on the I-65?
But after looking for Baden Manor on the map, I think there's an easier route, albeit with drawbacks: Bluff Rd runs into West Street eventually. West street goes right past the ICC. If you simply follow Bluff Rd. north and just keep going straight, you'll get to the ICC. You don't even have to turn onto West St., you just keep going straight while Bluff forks off to the right. And after a bit, you'll see the convention center on the left (edit: On the right! Sorry). Can't miss it, especially since you'll have to drive past Lucas Oil Stadium first, which will be a sign that you're almost there.
What's the drawback? For one, West St. goes through an industrial section where the street is not well maintained. It's bumpy and has potholes. On top of that, you may occasionally have to deal with the big class 8 trucks in some rather narrow lanes. And to add insult to injury, it can be dusty at times. So it'll be a bumpy, shaky section of street where you may be crowded out by a semi or dump truck, and you'll probably have to wash your car at the end. BUT, again, it'd be a completely straight shot for you.
When I come to Indianapolis from southern Indiana on State Road 37, this is the exact route I take. I know it well, but I also understand if you'd want to avoid it.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents.