City of Gary, IN to Evansville, IN is 275 miles and takes about 5 hours 51 minutes via US 41, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Indiana, moving you south through the Midwest. With most of the trip on highways, it's a straightforward connection between two points in the state. Plan for this to be a single-day trip, making it an efficient way to cover the distance.
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
137.6 miles from City of Gary, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 41
157.9 mi
3h 23m
SR 63
63.4 mi
1h 20m
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
41.1 mi
46m
State Road 14
9.2 mi
12m
West 5th Avenue
1.8 mi
3m
East Walnut Street
0.7 mi
1m
Madison Street
0.4 mi
1m
West 8th Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 41
— 157.9 mi, about 3h 23m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,963 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,344
Quietest
1 AM
~264 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 55 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 Evansville, 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
41 mi·46 min·Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·46 sec
Exit 220Toward SR 14: WinamacUse the slight right lane.
7
Turn right onto SR 14
9.2 mi·12 min·State Road 14
8
Turn left onto US 41
26 mi·32 min·US 41
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
22 mi·26 min·US 41
10
Continue on SR 63
63 mi·1 hr 20 min·SR 63
11
Continue on US 41
58 mi·1 hr 17 min·US 41
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto US 41; US 150
0.2 mi·28 sec·US 41; US 150
13
Merge onto US 41; US 50; US 150
0.9 mi·1 min·US 41; US 50; US 150
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 41
52 mi·1 hr 4 min·US 41
15
Turn right onto East Walnut Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Walnut Street
16
Turn right
332 ft·25 sec
17
At end of road, turn right
123 ft·9 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 5 hour 51 minute drive, starting in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. With only one stop suggested on this route, you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 157.9-mile stretch on US 41, as services might be less frequent. The $42 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to check current prices. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart later if needed, but an early start ensures a relaxed arrival in Evansville.
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 137.6 miles from City of Gary, IN, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.9 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 61 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.6 miles or 2h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Evansville, 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 275.2 miles and 5h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 US 41 for about 157.9 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 275.2 — 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
7
43.5 mi into trip|~51m in
Take the exit toward SR 14: Winamac
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 220
Toward SR 14: Winamac
5
275.2 mi into trip|~5h 51m in
At end of road, turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.38 one way
$74.76 round trip
$3.45/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.85
$41.71
$83.43
premium
$4.15
$44.96
$89.93
diesel
$3.75
$40.63
$81.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.3 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.6
1
$28.90
$13.21
Efficient EV
68.8
0
$24.08
$11.01
EV Truck/SUV
110.1
1
$38.53
$17.61
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
City of Gary, IN
Morning
in City of Gary on Sunday
Local time
6:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 6:52AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 1:34AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Evansville, IN
Morning
in Evansville on Sunday
Local time
6:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Sunny
N 8 to 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 6:52AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 1:34AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
76°F
Fairview Park, IN
138 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 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
5h 51m 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.
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The British flag would not be raised above Fort Sackville Feb. 25, 1779. At 10 A.M., the garrison surrendered to American Colonel George Rogers Clark. His American army, aided by French residents of t...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 227.8
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 80% of this 275-mile route. The longest continuous stretch of highway driving is 157.9 miles on US 41. Expect some rural cruising mixed with areas that have a higher density of exits as you transition between major roads like US 41 and SR 63. The final section will likely involve more surface roads as you approach Evansville.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 157.9 mi on US 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 41 and SR 63. You will hit about 12 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 275.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.6 miles (US 12; US 20 / West 5th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Evansville is the largest city in Southern Indiana and the third-largest city in the state. It is the county seat of Vanderburgh County and the regional hub for the Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois tri-state area. In 2010, the city had a population of 117,000. In 2008 the Evansville metropolitan area was home to 350,000 people.
Top landmarks
•University of Evansville — private university in Evansville, Indiana, United States
•USS LST-325 — 1942 LST-1-class tank landing ship, later converted to a museum ship
•Masonic Temple — Masonic temple in Evansville, Indiana, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 51m. Total distance: 275.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 157.9 miles on US 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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.
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 19 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 0.2 miles (Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (US 12; US 20 / West 5th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Yes — George Rogers Clark National Historical Park and Indiana Dunes National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Evansville, IN before the return drive.
