Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Avon, IN to Gary, IN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 5, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 56m
Distance
146.5 mi
236 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 45m
★
6 AM
2h 57m
8 AM
3h 19m
10 AM
3h 5m
12 PM
3h 2m
3 PM
3h 6m
5 PM
3h 18m
8 PM
2h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Avon, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Gary, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Avon, IN to Gary, IN is 146.5 miles and takes about 2h 56m via I 65 and State Road 267, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Indiana, making it a straightforward drive through the Midwest. With most of the route on major highways, it's designed for efficient travel rather than leisurely sightseeing. You'll find it's a practical choice if you need to get from point A to point B quickly within the state, requiring only one planned stop for a break. Consider this if you're looking for a direct connection between these two Indiana locations.
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
73.2 miles from Avon, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 124.6 mi | 2h 15m |
| State Road 267 | 8.2 mi | 14m |
| Avon Avenue | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| South Green Street | 3.1 mi | 7m |
| Borman Expressway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| West 15th Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Harrison Boulevard | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 124.6 mi, about 2h 15m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 86 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,996 veh/hr typical · worst 2,653
Quietest
2 AM
~323 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Avon, IN and Gary, IN.
1
Start on US 36
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Rockville Road
2
Turn uturn onto US 36
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Rockville Road
3
Turn left onto 267
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Avon Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Enter roundabout onto 267
103 ft
·
3 sec
·
Avon Avenue
5
Continue on 267
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Avon Avenue
6
Enter roundabout onto South Green Street
114 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Green Street
7
Continue on South Green Street
3.1 mi
·
7 min
·
South Green Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on State Road 267
8.2 mi
·
14 min
·
State Road 267
9
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
10
Merge onto I 65; US 52
7.8 mi
·
8 min
·
I 65; US 52
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 52
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 52
Exit 141
Toward US 52 West
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
13
Merge onto I 65
117 mi
·
2 hr 7 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
2 min
Exit 259A
Toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Borman Expressway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 9
Toward Grant Street
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
336 ft
·
9 sec
Use the right lane.
18
Turn straight onto Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
19
Turn right onto West 15th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
West 15th Avenue
20
Turn left onto Harrison Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Harrison Boulevard
21
Turn right onto 10th Place
254 ft
·
11 sec
·
10th Place
22
Arrive at destination
10th Place
Trip Plan
For this relatively short, 2h 56m drive, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Leaving Avon, IN, consider hitting the road in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. The fuel cost is estimated at $20, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart, as this is a single-day trip. With only one recommended stop and the longest stretch being 124.6 miles on I 65, plan a quick break around the halfway point or when you feel you need it. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 65 to State Road 267 and Avon Avenue as you approach Gary, IN.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.2 miles from Avon, IN, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124.6 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 32 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.2 miles or 1h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 24m
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 Avon, 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 Avon, IN
This is one driving day of about 146.5 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Avon, 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 124.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
73 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 73.2 miles from Avon, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 124.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
I-65 Rest Stop (northbound)
0.1 mi from route
I-65 Rest Stop (southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Love's
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Lebanon Rest Area - I65 SB
0.1 mi from route
Wolcott Rest Area - I-65 NB
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Wolcott Rest Area - I-65 SB
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.4 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
TA
2.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 144.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 36 / Rockville Road
Turn uturn onto US 36 / Rockville Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
267 / Avon Avenue
Turn left onto 267 / Avon Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
141.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m 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
7
144 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
Take the exit toward Grant Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9
Toward Grant Street
6
144.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.71 one way
$45.43 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $24.91 | $49.81 |
| premium | $4.93 | $28.42 | $56.85 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $32.29 | $64.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44 | 0 | $15.38 | $7.03 |
| Efficient EV | 36.6 | 0 | $12.82 | $5.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.6 | 0 | $20.51 | $9.38 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Origin
Avon, IN
Night in Avon on Friday
Local time
10:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
ESE 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 28 at 8:36PM CDT until August 30 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 28 at 8:36PM CDT until August 30 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Destination
Gary, IN
Night in Gary on Friday
Local time
9:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 28 at 8:36PM CDT until August 30 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 28 at 8:36PM CDT until August 30 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
64°F
Lafayette, IN
73 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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 56m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
$20
near mile 141.4
Caution: Water Safety Alert
Park Closure: Temporary Closer - Douglas Center
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 86% of the 146.5 miles on faster roads like I 65. You'll experience a significant stretch of 124.6 miles on I 65, which means you'll encounter plenty of exits and merges as you travel. State Road 267 and Avon Avenue make up the remaining portion, offering a change from the interstate as you begin or end your trip.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 124.6 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and State Road 267. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 36 / Rockville Road.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 146.5 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 0.2 miles (US 36 / Rockville Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.4 miles (267 / Avon Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 141.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
949 ft
600 ft
Total Climb
338 ft
Total Descent
571 ft
Highest Point
949 ft
~21.7 mi in
Elevation Range
350 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Avon, IN
Full guide →Avon is a city in the Nine-County Region of Indiana.
Arriving in Gary, IN
Full guide →Founded 1906
Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana. It is perhaps best known as the birthplace of the legendary pop star Michael Jackson. Founded in 1906 as a company town for U.S. Steel, it thrived in the 1950s and early 60s and earned the nickname "The Magic City". In 2007, it was described by writer Jessica Hopper as "the Pompeii of the Midwest, a city of ruins where life can seem to have just suddenly stopped".
Top landmarks
- • Van Buren Terrace Historic District — historic district in Indiana, United States
- • Gary City Center Historic District — historic district in Gary, Indiana
- • Union Station — former railroad station in Gary, Indiana, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 146.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 124.6 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 36 / Rockville Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.4 miles (267 / Avon Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 141.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gary, IN before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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