This 230.2-mile drive from Gary, Indiana, to Austin, Indiana, is a solid option for a single-day road trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 21 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, I-65, and US-31, with about 41% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest excursion is around $36. The drive offers a mixed experience, suitable for a focused journey without the need for an overnight stop. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive and stretch your legs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
115.1 miles from City of Gary, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
132.6 mi
2h 25m
I 65
92.5 mi
1h 46m
US 31
1.9 mi
2m
West 5th Avenue
1.8 mi
3m
Madison Street
0.4 mi
1m
West Booe Road
0.3 mi
1m
West 8th Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
— 132.6 mi, about 2h 25m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 104 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,001 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,597
Quietest
1 AM
~333 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 City of Gary, IN and Austin, IN.
1
Start on this road
342 ft·27 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto West 8th Avenue
0.2 mi·33 sec·West 8th Avenue
3
Turn left onto Madison Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Madison Street
4
Turn right onto US 12; US 20
1.8 mi·3 min·West 5th Avenue
5
Turn right onto I 65
133 mi·2 hr 25 min·Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 65
17 mi·22 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 65
1.9 mi·2 min·I 65
Exit 112AToward I 70 East: Dayton
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 65
74 mi·1 hr 20 min·I 65
Use the slight left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 36Toward US 31: Austin, Crothersville
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 31
1.9 mi·2 min·US 31
11
Turn left onto West Booe Road
0.3 mi·1 min·West Booe Road
12
Arrive at destination
West Booe Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 21-minute duration and 230.2-mile distance, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for your one planned stop without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 132.6 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, as services might be less frequent. The $36 fuel cost is a helpful budget point, so factor that into your overall trip planning.
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 115.1 miles from City of Gary, IN, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.6 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 51 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.1 miles or 2h 8m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Austin, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving City of Gary, 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 City of Gary, IN
This is one driving day of about 230.2 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from City of Gary, 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 132.6 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 227.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|West 8th Avenue
Turn right onto West 8th Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip|~1m in|Madison Street
Turn left onto Madison Street
Navigation decision point
6
135.1 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|I 65
Keep slight left at fork onto I 65
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
154 mi into trip|~2h 55m in|I 65
Keep slight left at fork onto I 65
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
6
227.6 mi into trip|~4h 16m in
Take the exit toward US 31: Austin, Crothersville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 36
Toward US 31: Austin, Crothersville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.27 one way
$76.55 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$41.69
$83.38
premium
$5.18
$46.97
$93.95
diesel
$5.35
$48.49
$96.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
EV Charging Along Route
26 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Lafayette - Tesla Supercharger
Lafayette, IN
Tesla
24 DCFC
Meijer - Tesla Supercharger
Merrillville, IN
Tesla
22 DCFC
The Amp at 16 Tech - Tesla Supercharger
Indianapolis, IN
Tesla
16 DCFC
Fair Oaks Farms (North) - Tesla Supercharger
Fair Oaks, IN
Tesla
12 DCFC
Fair Oaks Farms - Tesla Supercharger
Fair Oaks, IN
Tesla
12 DCFC
Lebanon Crossing - Tesla Supercharger
Lebanon, IN
Tesla
11 DCFC
Meijer - Tesla Supercharger
Zionsville, IN
Tesla
10 DCFC
John T. McCutcheon Travel Plaza - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.1
0
$24.17
$11.05
Efficient EV
57.6
0
$20.14
$9.21
EV Truck/SUV
92.1
1
$32.23
$14.73
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jun 3, 2026
Origin
City of Gary, IN
Afternoon
in City of Gary on Wednesday
Local time
4:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Sunny
ESE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Austin, IN
Evening
in Austin on Wednesday
Local time
5:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Sunny
E 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
85°F
Clermont, IN
115 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 later
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
4h 21m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
~33 min detour
$20
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?
You'll experience a mixed drive on this route, with a significant portion, 132.6 miles, spent on the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. While 41% of the trip involves highway driving, the overall feel is more varied than a pure interstate cruise. Expect a blend of faster road sections and potentially more local or two-lane segments, especially on the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. This variety means the road's character will evolve throughout your 4-hour-plus journey.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.6 mi on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West 8th Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 230.2 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 135.1 miles (I 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
947 ft561 ft
Total Climb
503 ft
Total Descent
546 ft
Highest Point
947 ft
~131.5 mi in
Elevation Range
386 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 21m. Total distance: 230.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (41%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 132.6 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 135.1 miles (I 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Indiana Dunes National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Austin, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
