The City of Gary, IN to Bargersville, IN is 171 miles and takes about 3h 17m via Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, I 465, and I 69, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Indiana, moving from the Midwest region to the same region. The route primarily utilizes surface roads, offering a more grounded driving experience compared to a pure interstate journey. Expect a straightforward drive that's manageable in a single day for most travelers.
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
85.5 miles from City of Gary, 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
132.6 mi
2h 25m
I 465
13.7 mi
15m
I 69
8.8 mi
10m
I 65
5.9 mi
6m
Johnson County Route 144
5 mi
8m
West 5th Avenue
1.8 mi
3m
Madison Street
0.4 mi
1m
West Old Plank Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
— 132.6 mi, about 2h 25m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,864 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,433
Quietest
2 AM
~258 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.2×
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 Bargersville, 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
5.9 mi·6 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 123Toward I 465 South
8
Continue on this road
0.6 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 123Toward I 465 South
9
Merge onto I 465
14 mi·15 min·I 465
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 5Toward I 69 South: EvansvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 69
8.8 mi·10 min·I 69
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 153Toward SR 144: Mooresville, BargersvilleUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn slight right onto SR 144
9 ft·0 sec·SR 144
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
14
Turn slight left
103 ft·7 sec
15
Turn left onto SR 144
0.1 mi·21 sec·SR 144
16
Turn straight onto CR 144
2.7 mi·4 min·Johnson County Route 144
17
Enter roundabout onto CR 144
117 ft·1 sec·Johnson County Route 144
18
Continue on CR 144
0.4 mi·38 sec·Johnson County Route 144
19
Enter roundabout onto CR 144
101 ft·1 sec·Johnson County Route 144
20
Continue on CR 144
1.9 mi·2 min·Johnson County Route 144
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on CR 144
0.3 mi·28 sec·West Old Plank Road
22
Turn slight right onto North Carlisle Street
358 ft·17 sec·North Carlisle Street
23
Turn right onto East Harriman Avenue
438 ft·12 sec·East Harriman Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
East Harriman Avenue
Trip Plan
Consider departing early to maximize daylight, especially since this is a single-day trip. With only 1 stop suggested and 171 miles to cover, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; the estimated cost is $30, but it's always wise to top off before embarking. The majority of this drive is on surface roads, so be aware of potential traffic delays in populated areas, particularly as you approach your destination.
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 85.5 miles from City of Gary, IN, or about 1h 36m 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 38 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.5 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bargersville, 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 171 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 165.1 — 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
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.
5
140.9 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 465 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 123
Toward I 465 South
7
155.5 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 69 South: Evansville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
8
165.1 mi into trip|~3h 7m in
Take the exit toward SR 144: Mooresville, Bargersville
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 153
Toward SR 144: Mooresville, Bargersville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.43 one way
$56.86 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$30.97
$61.94
premium
$5.18
$34.89
$69.79
diesel
$5.35
$36.02
$72.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.3
0
$17.96
$8.21
Efficient EV
42.8
0
$14.96
$6.84
EV Truck/SUV
68.4
0
$23.94
$10.94
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
City of Gary, IN
Afternoon
in City of Gary on Wednesday
Local time
3:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Chance Rain Showers
NNE 5 mph36% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 9:10PM EDT until June 2 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 9:10PM EDT until June 3 at 12:48PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Destination
Bargersville, IN
Afternoon
in Bargersville on Wednesday
Local time
4:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
E 2 to 7 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 9:10PM EDT until June 2 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 9:10PM EDT until June 3 at 12:48PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
67°F
Ray, IN
86 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
21 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 17m 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...
13 mi from route
~31 min detour
$20
near mile 5.9
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?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only 20% on highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 132.6 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway before transitioning to other roads. Be prepared for a significant portion of your drive to be on surface roads, which typically means navigating through towns and varied speed limits, rather than sustained high-speed cruising.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 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 Effort6/10
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 171 miles you will encounter 15 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 135.1 miles (I 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 140.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
928 ft604 ft
Total Climb
586 ft
Total Descent
370 ft
Highest Point
928 ft
~134.4 mi in
Elevation Range
324 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Gowdy's Seafood of GARY
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Gary, IN
Cuisine: seafood
Food Express Café
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Gary, IN
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-14:30
Papa's Soul Food and Grill
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Little Caesars
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: pizza
Righteous Ribs
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: barbecue
Harold's Chicken Shack
Fast_food
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Gary, IN
Cuisine: chicken
West Fifth Avenue Apartments Historic District
Park
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Leroy Community Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Krannent Park
Park
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Sycamore Valley Camp
Park
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Deep River Outdoor Recreation Center
Park
Near the start, short detour
3.4 mi from route
~8 min detour
Polk Street Concrete Cottage Historic District
District
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
John Stewart Memorial Settlement House
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
IN
Jackson–Monroe Terraces Historic District
District
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Polk Street Terraces Historic District
District
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Van Buren Terrace Historic District
District
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Fusion
Artwork
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 171 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads 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 28 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 Bargersville, 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 135.1 miles (I 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 140.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Indiana Dunes National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Bargersville, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
