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Trip from City of Gary, IN to Orange, IN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 10m

Distance

206 mi

331 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
3h 57m ★
6 AM
4h 10m
8 AM
4h 37m
10 AM
4h 20m
12 PM
4h 17m
3 PM
4h 21m
5 PM
4h 35m
8 PM
4h 3m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown City of Gary, IN, IN

City of Gary, IN

Артем Дворецкий

Downtown Orange, IN, IN

Orange, IN

Jahra Tasfia Reza

Trip Overview

City of Gary, IN to Orange, IN is 206 miles and takes about 4h 10m via Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest to Midwest journey stays within Indiana, offering a local drive experience. Expect a route with frequent turns and a relatively low highway share, suggesting a more intimate connection with the landscape. It's a manageable trip that can be completed comfortably within a single day, making it ideal for a weekend excursion or a quick transit.

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

103 miles from City of Gary, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway 132.6 mi 2h 25m
East Main Street 18 mi 26m
US 52 14.9 mi 22m
I 465 12.5 mi 14m
I 69 9.3 mi 10m
State Street 7.8 mi 11m
I 865 5.1 mi 6m
South 850 W 2.5 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway — 132.6 mi, about 2h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between City of Gary, IN and Orange, 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

9.3 mi · 10 min · I 69; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit onto US 52

0.3 mi · 39 sec · US 52
Exit 47 Toward US 52 East: Brookville Road Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto US 52

15 mi · 21 min · US 52
Toward New Palestine Use the right lane.
11

Enter roundabout onto US 52

166 ft · 2 sec · East Main Street
12

Continue on US 52

18 mi · 26 min · East Main Street
13

Continue on US 52

0.3 mi · 30 sec · West 3rd Street
14

Continue on US 52; SR 44

0.2 mi · 23 sec · West 2nd Street
15

Continue on SR 44

7.8 mi · 11 min · State Street
16

Turn right onto South Main Street

0.1 mi · 18 sec · South Main Street
17

Continue on South 850 W

2.5 mi · 5 min · South 850 W
18

Continue on County Line Road

0.2 mi · 24 sec · County Line Road
19

Arrive at destination

County Line Road

Trip Plan

Given the 4h 10m duration and turn-heavy nature, starting your drive in the morning will give you ample daylight to navigate the route. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimate of $32, this trip is economical and straightforward. Pay close attention to road signs, especially when transitioning between Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, East Main Street, and US 52, as the frequent turns can be disorienting. The 206-mile distance is easily covered in a single day, so you can afford to be flexible with your departure time.

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 103 miles from City of Gary, IN, or about 1h 55m 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 103 miles or 1h 55m 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 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Orange, 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 206 miles and 4h 10m.

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.

town in Wayne Township, Marion County, Indiana

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Speedway, IN

103 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

Orland Park, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lafayette, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 103 miles from City of Gary, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.6 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 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 162.3 — 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.
5
140.2 mi into trip | ~2h 36m in | I 465

Merge onto I 465

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
162 mi into trip | ~3h 1m in | US 52

Take the exit onto US 52 toward US 52 East: Brookville Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 47 Toward US 52 East: Brookville Road
7
162.3 mi into trip | ~3h 2m in | US 52

Keep slight right at fork onto US 52 toward New Palestine

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward New Palestine

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.21 one way

$64.41 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 72 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $35.36 $70.72
premium $4.89 $39.64 $79.29
diesel $5.61 $45.48 $90.96

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 72.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 61.8 0 $21.63 $9.89
Efficient EV 51.5 0 $18.03 $8.24
EV Truck/SUV 82.4 1 $28.84 $13.18

Gas CO2

72 kg

EV CO2

24 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

City of Gary, IN

Late night in City of Gary on Sunday

Local time

5:19 AM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Orange, IN

Morning in Orange on Sunday

Local time

6:19 AM

EDT

Current temp

53°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

11 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 10m 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

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 7.1
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Park Closure: Mount Baldy Closure
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is characterized by its turn-heavy, local drive profile, with only 20% of the journey on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time navigating surface streets and county roads, which means a more engaging driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 132.6 miles along Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, offering a period of consistent travel before you encounter more frequent changes in direction. Be prepared for a dynamic drive where you'll frequently adjust your course.

Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 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 Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 206 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 140.2 miles (I 465): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Orange, IN, road signs begin pointing toward New Palestine along the way.

New Palestine

162.3 mi in | ~3h 2m | via US 52

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 10m. Total distance: 206 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 10m 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 Orange, 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 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 140.2 miles (I 465): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Orange, 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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