Origin
City of Gary, IN
Morning in City of Gary on Sunday
Local time
7:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from City of Gary, IN to Bainbridge, IN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 4m
Distance
142.5 mi
229 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 53m
★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
City of Gary, IN
Артем Дворецкий
Bainbridge, IN
Leandro
Trip Overview
Gary, IN to Bainbridge, IN is 142.5 miles and takes about 3h 4m via Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway and US 52, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Indiana, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a mixed drive that combines highway speeds with more local road conditions. With a recommended single day for travel, this route offers a straightforward journey for those looking to cover ground efficiently between these two points without needing an overnight stay. It’s a manageable distance for a day trip or the start of a longer adventure.
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
71.2 miles from City of Gary, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway | 83.4 mi | 1h 31m |
| US 52 | 45.4 mi | 1h 8m |
| North River Road | 5.8 mi | 10m |
| US 36 | 4 mi | 5m |
| West 5th Avenue | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| South River Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Madison Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| West 8th Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
— 83.4 mi, about 1h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between City of Gary, IN and Bainbridge, 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
83 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
·
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 178
Toward SR 43: Brookston, West Lafayette
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
214 ft
·
5 sec
Toward West Lafayette, Indiana Veterans Home, Purdue University, VA Clinic, Tippecanoe, Battlefield, Prophetstown State Park
8
Turn straight onto North River Road
5.8 mi
·
10 min
·
North River Road
9
Enter roundabout onto South River Road
122 ft
·
5 sec
·
South River Road
10
Continue on South River Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South River Road
11
Turn left onto US 52; US 231
45 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
US 52; US 231
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto US 36
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
US 36
13
Turn right onto North Washington Street
309 ft
·
13 sec
·
North Washington Street
14
Arrive at destination
South Washington Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 3h 4m duration, you have plenty of flexibility for when to depart. Leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach Bainbridge comfortably. With only one recommended stop, consider planning it around the midpoint or when you feel ready for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 83.4-mile stretch on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, as services might be less frequent there. The estimated $22 fuel cost is a good baseline, but always budget a little extra for unexpected detours or price variations.
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 71.2 miles from City of Gary, IN, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.4 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 31 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.2 miles or 1h 20m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bainbridge, 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 142.5 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 83.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.2 miles from City of Gary, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 86.2 — 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
4
0.6 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 12; US 20 / West 5th Avenue
Turn right onto US 12; US 20 / West 5th Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
85.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward SR 43: Brookston, West Lafayette
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 178
Toward SR 43: Brookston, West Lafayette
6
86.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward West Lafayette, Indiana Veterans Home, Purdue University, VA Clinic, Tippecanoe, Battlefield, Prophetstown State Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward West Lafayette, Indiana Veterans Home, P...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.28 one way
$44.56 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.46 | $48.92 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.42 | $54.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.46 | $62.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.96 | $6.84 |
| Efficient EV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.47 | $5.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57 | 0 | $19.95 | $9.12 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Bainbridge, IN
Morning in Bainbridge on Sunday
Local time
8:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°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
7 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
3h 4m 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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
$20
near mile 4.9
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Park Closure: Mount Baldy Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This 142.5-mile drive features a 35% highway share, meaning you’ll experience a blend of faster travel and more local road navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 83.4 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, offering a significant period of consistent driving. As you progress, the route transitions from more direct highway segments to roads like US 52 and North River Road, which may involve more turns and varied speed limits. This mixed profile means you’ll get a taste of different driving environments on your way to Bainbridge.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.4 mi on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West 8th Avenue.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 4m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 0.6 miles (US 12; US 20 / West 5th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between City of Gary, IN and Bainbridge, IN, road signs point toward Lafayette, Indiana Veterans Home, Purdue University, Va Clinic, Tippecanoe and Battlefield - among others.
Lafayette
85.8 mi in
|
~1h 37m
Indiana Veterans Home
86.2 mi in
|
~1h 37m
Purdue University
86.2 mi in
|
~1h 37m
Va Clinic
86.2 mi in
|
~1h 37m
Tippecanoe
86.2 mi in
|
~1h 37m
Battlefield
86.2 mi in
|
~1h 37m
Prophetstown State Park
86.2 mi in
|
~1h 37m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 142.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (35%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.4 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.
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 0.6 miles (US 12; US 20 / West 5th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Indiana Dunes National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Bainbridge, 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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