If you are planning a trip from Alaska to Gary, expect a 182.6-mile journey that takes approximately 3 hours and 42 minutes to complete. This drive stays entirely within the Midwest, keeping you in Indiana for the duration of the trip. Given the total travel time, you can easily manage this as a single-day excursion without needing an overnight stay. You should budget about $28 for fuel to cover the distance. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, it requires more active attention than a typical highway cruise, making it a straightforward but involved route for your day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
91.3 miles from Alaska, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
134.7 mi
2h 26m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
18.2 mi
19m
I 74
5.5 mi
6m
SR 42
4.2 mi
7m
65
3.9 mi
4m
Borman Expressway
1.4 mi
1m
West Belle Union Road
1.2 mi
2m
Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 134.7 mi, about 2h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alaska, IN and Gary, IN.
1
Start on Lewisville Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Lewisville Road
2
Turn left onto North Wilson Road
1.0 mi·3 min·North Wilson Road
3
Turn left onto Awbrey Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Awbrey Road
4
Continue on North Craver Road
1.1 mi·4 min·North Craver Road
5
Continue on SR 42
3.0 mi·5 min·SR 42
6
Continue on SR 42
1.2 mi·2 min·SR 42
7
Continue on SR 42
1.2 mi·2 min·West Belle Union Road
8
Turn left onto North Little Point Road
0.3 mi·46 sec·North Little Point Road
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
10
Merge onto I 70
18 mi·19 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
11
Take the exit
2.3 mi·4 min
Exit 69Toward I 465, I 74Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 465, I 74Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 465 North, I 74 West: PeoriaUse the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 74; I 465
5.5 mi·6 min·I 74; I 465
15
Keep slight left at fork onto 65
3.9 mi·4 min·65
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 20Toward I 65 North: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto I 65
18 mi·19 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto US 52
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 52
Exit 141Toward US 52 West
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
20
Merge onto I 65
117 mi·2 hr 7 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
1.4 mi·2 min
Exit 259AToward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6
1.4 mi·1 min·Borman Expressway
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 9Toward Grant StreetUse the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork
336 ft·9 sec
Use the right lane.
25
Turn straight onto Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
1.2 mi·1 min·Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
26
Turn right onto West 15th Avenue
0.5 mi·56 sec·West 15th Avenue
27
Turn left onto Harrison Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Harrison Boulevard
28
Turn right onto 10th Place
254 ft·11 sec·10th Place
29
Arrive at destination
10th Place
Trip Plan
Since this 3 hour and 42 minute drive is best suited for a single day, aim to depart early to make the most of your time in Gary. You only have one planned stop along the way, so coordinate your break to coincide with the longest stretch of the journey to keep your energy levels steady. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $28 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local stops. Because you are relying on local roads like North Wilson, North Craver, and Awbrey, confirm your GPS settings are optimized for local routes to avoid confusion at intersections. This flexibility allows you to adjust your departure time based on local traffic patterns, ensuring a smoother arrival.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 91.3 miles from Alaska, IN, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 40 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.3 miles or 1h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gary, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alaska, IN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alaska, IN
This is one driving day of about 182.6 miles and 3h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Alaska, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 134.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 27.2 and 177.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
27.2 mi into trip|~42m in
Take the exit toward I 465, I 74
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 69
Toward I 465, I 74
8
29.5 mi into trip|~47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 465, I 74
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 465, I 74
8
30.7 mi into trip|~50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 465 North, I 74 West: Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 465 North, I 74 West: Peoria
7
41.1 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 20
Toward I 65 North: Chicago
8
177.3 mi into trip|~3h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 259A
Toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.55 one way
$57.09 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$31.34
$62.69
premium
$4.89
$35.14
$70.28
diesel
$5.61
$40.32
$80.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.8
0
$19.17
$8.76
Efficient EV
45.7
0
$15.98
$7.30
EV Truck/SUV
73
0
$25.56
$11.69
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Alaska, IN
Night
in Alaska on Saturday
Local time
10:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gary, IN
Night
in Gary on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Mulberry, IN
91 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
9 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 42m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Indiana Dunes National Park
National Park
Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast. Over 50 miles of trails...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
$20
near mile 176.3
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a drive that prioritizes local roads over high-speed interstates, as this route features zero highway miles. You will spend your time navigating North Wilson Road, Awbrey Road, and North Craver Road, which give the journey a distinct, turn-heavy personality. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, these local stretches demand your full focus as you transition between sections. The nature of these roads means your pace will be dictated by the local infrastructure rather than open-road cruising. Expect a hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 134.7 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 27.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 182.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 27.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 42m. Total distance: 182.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 134.7 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Gary, IN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 27.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Indiana Dunes National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Gary, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
