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Trip from Chesterton, IN to Fishers, IN

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 12m

Distance

166.4 mi

268 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 0m ★
6 AM
3h 12m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 20m
12 PM
3h 18m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 34m
8 PM
3h 5m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Chesterton, IN, IN

Chesterton, IN

Joaquin Carfagna

city in Hamilton County, Indiana, United States

Fishers, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 166.4-mile drive from Chesterton, Indiana, to Fishers, Indiana, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 12 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate via Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, I-94, and I-465. With an estimated fuel cost of $26, this trip offers a budget-friendly journey. The route is characterized by a turn-heavy local feel, making it a more engaging drive than a pure interstate experience. Since it’s a manageable distance within the Midwest region, it’s perfect for a day trip without needing an overnight stay.

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

83.2 miles from Chesterton, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway 130 mi 2h 21m
I 465 10.7 mi 12m
I 94 9.4 mi 11m
I 865 5.1 mi 6m
I 69 2.8 mi 3m
Binford Boulevard 1.1 mi 1m
US 20 0.9 mi 1m
East Beam Street 0.8 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway — 130 mi, about 2h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chesterton, IN and Fishers, IN.

1

Start on South 9th Street

378 ft · 22 sec · South 9th Street
2

Turn left onto Broadway

0.5 mi · 1 min · Broadway
3

Turn right onto North Jackson Boulevard

0.1 mi · 19 sec · North Jackson Boulevard
4

Continue on Wagner Road

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Wagner Road
5

Turn left onto East Beam Street

0.8 mi · 2 min · East Beam Street
6

Turn left onto US 20

0.9 mi · 1 min · US 20
7

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
8

Merge onto I 94

9.4 mi · 11 min · I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 51 sec
Exit 12 Toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, Indianapolis Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 9 sec
Toward I 65 South, I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Indianapolis, Chicago
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 59 sec
Toward I 65 South: Indianapolis Use the slight left lane.
12

Merge onto I 65

130 mi · 2 hr 21 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 865

5.1 mi · 6 min · I 865
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 465

11 mi · 12 min · I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 37A Toward Binford Boulevard, Indianapolis Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 37B Toward I 69 North: Fort Wayne
17

Merge onto Binford Boulevard

1.1 mi · 1 min · Binford Boulevard
18

Merge onto I 69

2.8 mi · 3 min · I 69
19

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 37

0.8 mi · 49 sec · IN-37
Exit 205 Toward SR 37 North: 116th Street Use the slight right lane.
20

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Exit 205 Toward 116th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Turn left onto East 116th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · East 116th Street
Use the left lane.
22

Turn left onto Lantern Road

478 ft · 16 sec · Lantern Road
23

Arrive at destination

Lantern Road

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 3-hour, 12-minute duration for this 166.4-mile trip, you have flexibility in when you depart. Leaving mid-morning could allow you to avoid the busiest local traffic. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive, especially considering the 'turn-heavy' nature which might require more focus. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $26, and be aware that the longest stretch is 130 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, so ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment. This route is well-suited for a single day, so no need to plan for an overnight.

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 83.2 miles from Chesterton, IN, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130 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 37 miles or 46m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 83.2 miles or 1h 36m 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 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fishers, IN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Chesterton, 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 Chesterton, IN

This is one driving day of about 166.4 miles and 3h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Chesterton, 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 Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway for about 130 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Indiana, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

West Lafayette, IN

83 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

Chicago Heights, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lafayette, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 83.2 miles from Chesterton, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 130 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.

Best meal stop · home stretch

City Barbeque

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Whitestown, Indiana

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 27min to go 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+13179730430

Visit website

Cafe Patachou Nickel Plate

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Fishers, Indiana

0.2 mi

FLUID Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crown Point, Indiana

0.7 mi

Best coffee break · first break window

Kaffa Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crown Point, Indiana

Near the start, right off the route

First break · 27min in 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+12192132613

Visit website

Smalltown Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crown Point, Indiana

2.1 mi

Sip Coffee House & Artisan Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crown Point, Indiana

2.3 mi

City Barbeque

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Whitestown, Indiana

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+13179730430

Visit website

Cafe Patachou Nickel Plate

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route $20 to $30

Fishers, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13178637530

Visit website

McDonald's

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Fishers, Indiana

Hours: 5 am–1 pm

+13178420013

Visit website

FLUID Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12192132044

Visit website

Sahm's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Fishers, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13178421577

Visit website

Cafe Korea

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Fishers, Indiana

Hours: 5–9:30 pm

+13175781987

Visit website

TC's Restaurant & Tavern

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Battle Ground, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17655672838

Visit website

Trish's Red Bird Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Dayton, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm

+17652966964

Visit website

Kaffa Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+12192132613

Visit website

Smalltown Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12193233948

Visit website

Sip Coffee House & Artisan Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12196629165

Visit website

Cafe Fresco

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12193108078

Visit website

The Region Cat Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Merrillville, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

Visit website

Capstone Cafe & Bookstore

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Carmel, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+13175669132

Visit website

Wanderlust Coffee Roasters

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

West Lafayette, Indiana

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+17657753377

Visit website

Cafe Literato

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

West Lafayette, Indiana

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+17655883701

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 12.6 and 165.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
12.6 mi into trip | ~19m in

Take the exit toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, Indianapolis

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 12 Toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, Indianapolis
7
13.3 mi into trip | ~20m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Indianapolis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 65 South: Indianapolis
8
159.6 mi into trip | ~3h 1m in

Take the exit toward Binford Boulevard, Indianapolis

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 37A Toward Binford Boulevard, Indianapolis
8
164.7 mi into trip | ~3h 9m in | SR 37 / IN-37

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 37 / IN-37 toward SR 37 North: 116th Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 205 Toward SR 37 North: 116th Street
7
165.5 mi into trip | ~3h 9m in

Take the exit toward 116th Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 205 Toward 116th Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.01 one way

$52.03 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $28.56 $57.13
premium $4.89 $32.02 $64.04
diesel $5.61 $36.74 $73.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 58.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.9 0 $17.47 $7.99
Efficient EV 41.6 0 $14.56 $6.66
EV Truck/SUV 66.6 0 $23.30 $10.65

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 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 20, 2026

Origin

Chesterton, IN

Late night in Chesterton on Tuesday

Local time

4:15 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fishers, IN

Late night in Fishers on Tuesday

Local time

5:15 AM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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 later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

10 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 12m 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

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...

3 mi from route ~6 min detour $20
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Park Closure: Mount Baldy Closure
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a drive that leans more towards local roads, with about 18% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 130 miles along Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, which offers a sustained period of travel. This route is described as 'turn-heavy,' suggesting you'll be making frequent adjustments and navigating through various local thoroughfares rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. The road character will likely shift as you progress, moving from potentially more open highway sections to more intricate local routes as you approach your destination.

Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 130 mi on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 19 significant decision points across 166.4 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 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Chesterton, IN and Fishers, IN, road signs point toward Indianapolis and Chicago.

Indianapolis

12.6 mi in | ~19m

Chicago

13.2 mi in | ~20m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 166.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 130 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. 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 Fishers, 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 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.6 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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Fishers, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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