The City of Gary, IN to Franklin, IN is 203.2 miles and takes about 4h 9m via Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway and I 69, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Midwest, offering a straightforward drive through Indiana. With a recommended one-day trip, you'll find it's a manageable distance for a single stretch of driving. The majority of this trip is on surface roads, so expect a more connected-to-the-landscape experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. Plan for a steady pace with minimal need to break up the drive into multiple days.
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
101.6 miles from City of Gary, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
132.6 mi
2h 25m
East 700 South
21 mi
31m
I 69
17.3 mi
19m
I 465
10.7 mi
12m
E 700 S
5.4 mi
7m
I 865
5.1 mi
6m
State Street
2 mi
3m
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 42 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,632 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,183
Quietest
2 AM
~275 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
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 Franklin, 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
11 mi·12 min·I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 37AToward Binford Boulevard, IndianapolisUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 37BToward I 69 North: Fort Wayne
10
Merge onto Binford Boulevard
1.1 mi·1 min·Binford Boulevard
11
Merge onto I 69
2.8 mi·3 min·I 69
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69
15 mi·15 min·I 69
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·35 sec
Exit 219Toward SR 38 West: Noblesville, Pendleton
14
Enter roundabout onto State Street
14 ft·0 sec·State Street
15
Continue on State Street
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Street
16
Enter roundabout onto State Street
94 ft·1 sec·State Street
17
Continue on State Street
1.6 mi·2 min·State Street
18
Turn left onto US 36; SR 9; SR 38; SR 67
0.2 mi·16 sec·E 700 S
19
Continue on US 36
5.3 mi·7 min·E 700 S
20
Continue on US 36
21 mi·31 min·East 700 South
21
Turn right onto Buck Creek Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Buck Creek Road
22
Turn straight onto North 800 East Road
446 ft·25 sec·North 800 East Road
23
Turn left onto East 450 North
0.2 mi·38 sec·East 450 North
24
Turn right onto Buck Creek Park
1.3 mi·5 min·Buck Creek Park
25
Turn slight right onto North 900 East
0.6 mi·2 min·North 900 East
26
Turn left onto East 300 North Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East 300 North Road
27
Continue on Nobblett Road
0.5 mi·2 min·Nobblett Road
28
Arrive at destination
Nobblett Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 9m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning from Gary, IN, will comfortably get you to Franklin, IN, with plenty of daylight to spare. Since this is planned as a one-day trip, you can be flexible with your departure. The route involves a considerable amount of surface road driving, so keep an eye on your speed and be mindful of local traffic patterns. While there's only one recommended stop, consider a brief break around the halfway point to stretch your legs, especially before the longest stretch on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. Your estimated fuel cost is $31, so ensure your tank is topped off before departing.
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 101.6 miles from City of Gary, IN, or about 1h 53m 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 45 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.6 miles or 1h 53m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, 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 203.2 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 170.5 — 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 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
150.9 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward Binford Boulevard, 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 37A
Toward Binford Boulevard, Indianapolis
6
151.6 mi into trip|~2h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 69 North: Fort Wayne
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 37B
Toward I 69 North: Fort Wayne
6
170.5 mi into trip|~3h 12m in
Take the exit toward SR 38 West: Noblesville, Pendleton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 219
Toward SR 38 West: Noblesville, Pendleton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.01 one way
$60.02 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$33.13
$66.26
premium
$4.72
$37.73
$75.46
diesel
$4.80
$38.37
$76.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61
0
$21.34
$9.75
Efficient EV
50.8
0
$17.78
$8.13
EV Truck/SUV
81.3
1
$28.45
$13.00
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
City of Gary, IN
Morning
in City of Gary on Sunday
Local time
6:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Smoke
NE 5 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:16PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:59PM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Franklin, IN
Morning
in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
7:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
NW 5 to 8 mph45% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:16PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:59PM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
84°F
Clermont, IN
102 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
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 9m 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
near mile 7
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 drive features a highway share of 16%, meaning most of your time will be spent on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 132.6 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. After this significant portion, you'll transition to other surface roads and eventually I 69. Expect to navigate through more populated areas with frequent intersections and lower speed limits for a good portion of the trip before potentially encountering more open cruising on the interstate segments.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 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?
7/10
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 0.1 miles in near West 8th Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 203.2 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 0.1 miles (West 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 135.1 miles (I 865): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 150.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,098 ft555 ft
Total Climb
912 ft
Total Descent
418 ft
Highest Point
1,098 ft
~203.2 mi in
Elevation Range
544 ft
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 Franklin, IN, road signs point toward Indianapolis and Pendleton.
Franklin is a city and southern suburb of Indianapolis in the Nine-County Region of Indiana, home to Franklin College and an aesthetic Colonial Revival city hall.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 203.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m 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 24 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 Franklin, 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 24 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 865): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 150.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Franklin, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
