The City of Gary, IN to Fairfield, IN is 245.9 miles and takes about 4 hours 55 minutes via Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, traversing Indiana for its entirety. With a profile that's mostly surface roads, expect a more local driving experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. This route is well-suited for a single day's travel, offering a straightforward connection between these two Indiana points.
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
123 miles from City of Gary, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
132.6 mi
2h 25m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
59.2 mi
1h 7m
North 8th Street
14.8 mi
20m
I 465
12.5 mi
14m
Indiana Highway 101
6.4 mi
11m
I 69
5.7 mi
6m
I 865
5.1 mi
6m
West 5th Avenue
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
— 132.6 mi, about 2h 25m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 86 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,996 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,653
Quietest
2 AM
~323 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Fairfield, 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 right at fork onto I 865
5.1 mi·6 min·I 865
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 465
13 mi·14 min·I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 69; I 465
5.7 mi·6 min·I 69; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 44Toward I 70: Dayton, IndianapolisUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
143 ft·2 sec
Toward I 70: Dayton, Indianapolis
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 70 East: DaytonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 70
59 mi·1 hr 7 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·44 sec
Exit 149AToward Williamsburg Pike, Tom Raper Way
14
Turn straight onto Williamsburg Pike
1.3 mi·2 min·Williamsburg Pike
15
Continue on Northwest 5th Street
1.0 mi·1 min·Northwest 5th Street
16
Turn left onto Richmond Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Richmond Avenue
17
Continue on North D Street
0.4 mi·58 sec·North D Street
18
Turn right onto US 27; SR 227
150 ft·1 sec·Chester Boulevard
19
Continue on US 27; SR 227
15 mi·20 min·North 8th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on SR 101
6.4 mi·11 min·Indiana Highway 101
21
Turn right
2.0 mi·7 min
22
Continue on Old State Road 101
0.5 mi·1 min·Old State Road 101
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 55-minute estimated drive time and mostly surface road profile, starting your day earlier is a good idea to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $39, you can plan to complete this trip in a single day. Pay attention to local speed limits and traffic signals, especially as you move from Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway and then North 8th Street. The flexibility of this mostly surface road route means you can easily adjust your pace if needed.
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 123 miles from City of Gary, IN, or about 2h 17m 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 54 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123 miles or 2h 17m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairfield, 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 245.9 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 135.1 and 218.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
135.1 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|I 865
Keep slight right at fork onto I 865
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
158.4 mi into trip|~2h 57m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Dayton, 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 44
Toward I 70: Dayton, Indianapolis
7
158.6 mi into trip|~2h 58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70: Dayton, Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70: Dayton, Indianapolis
7
158.6 mi into trip|~2h 58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Dayton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70 East: Dayton
6
218.4 mi into trip|~4h 6m in
Take the exit toward Williamsburg Pike, Tom Raper Way
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 149A
Toward Williamsburg Pike, Tom Raper Way
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.40 one way
$66.80 round trip
$3.45/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.85
$37.27
$74.54
premium
$4.15
$40.18
$80.35
diesel
$3.75
$36.30
$72.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.8
0
$25.82
$11.80
Efficient EV
61.5
0
$21.52
$9.84
EV Truck/SUV
98.4
1
$34.43
$15.74
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
City of Gary, IN
Morning
in City of Gary on Sunday
Local time
7:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 mph10% 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
Fairfield, IN
Morning
in Fairfield on Sunday
Local time
8:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Sunny
N 3 to 8 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
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
3 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
4h 55m 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
Caution: Road Blocked to West Beach
Park Closure: Partial Trail Closure - Dunewood Trace
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a 12% highway share, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a main road is 132.6 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. Expect to transition from highway to surface roads at various points, with the bulk of your time spent navigating local streets and routes. The frequent exits and intersections common on surface roads will be a noticeable aspect of this drive.
Only 12% 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: 132.6 mi on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 135.1 miles in near I 865.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 245.9 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 135.1 miles (I 865): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 158.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 158.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,070 ft543 ft
Total Climb
785 ft
Total Descent
590 ft
Highest Point
1,070 ft
~193.2 mi in
Elevation Range
528 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from City of Gary, IN to Fairfield, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Indianapolis along the way.
Indianapolis
158.4 mi in|~2h 57m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 245.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m 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.
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 Fairfield, 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 135.1 miles (I 865): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 158.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 158.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Fairfield, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
