Gary, IN to Riley, IN is 177.8 miles and takes about 3h 22m via Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Indiana, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a local feel with frequent turns, making it more of a navigation challenge than a straight shot. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 132.6 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing ample time for exploration or a leisurely pace.
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
88.9 miles from City of Gary, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
132.6 mi
2h 25m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
13.7 mi
15m
I 465
12.5 mi
14m
I 69
5.7 mi
6m
I 865
5.1 mi
6m
North State Street
2.4 mi
4m
East Main Street
2.1 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 Riley, 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
14 mi·15 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 104Toward SR 9: Maxwell, Greenfield
14
Turn right onto SR 9
2.4 mi·4 min·North State Street
15
Turn left onto US 40
2.1 mi·3 min·East Main Street
16
Arrive at destination
US 40
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 22m duration and single recommended stop, this trip is easily manageable in one day. Consider departing in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential evening navigation complexities on the local roads. While the fuel cost is estimated at $28, it's always wise to have a bit extra, especially with a 'turn-heavy' route where fuel stops might be less predictable. Keep an eye on your GPS for the numerous turns, particularly along the lengthy 132.6-mile section of Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, to ensure you stay on track.
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 88.9 miles from City of Gary, IN, or about 1h 39m 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 39 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.9 miles or 1h 39m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Riley, 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 177.8 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 135.1 and 173 — 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
173 mi into trip|~3h 14m in
Take the exit toward SR 9: Maxwell, Greenfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 104
Toward SR 9: Maxwell, Greenfield
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.56 one way
$59.12 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$32.20
$64.40
premium
$5.18
$36.28
$72.56
diesel
$5.35
$37.45
$74.90
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: 62.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.3
0
$18.67
$8.53
Efficient EV
44.5
0
$15.56
$7.11
EV Truck/SUV
71.1
0
$24.89
$11.38
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
City of Gary, IN
Afternoon
in City of Gary on Wednesday
Local time
3:56 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
Riley, IN
Afternoon
in Riley on Wednesday
Local time
4:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
E 1 to 7 mph8% 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
89 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
19 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 22m 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
~32 min detour
$20
near mile 6.1
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 characterized by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, suggesting a more engaging and less monotonous experience than a pure interstate journey. With only 13% of the drive on highways like I-465 and Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, you'll spend most of your time on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 132.6 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel before potentially encountering more varied road conditions. Be prepared for frequent directional changes as you navigate through local communities.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 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 13 significant decision points across 177.8 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
952 ft555 ft
Total Climb
713 ft
Total Descent
417 ft
Highest Point
952 ft
~127 mi in
Elevation Range
396 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 Riley, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Indianapolis along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 177.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m 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 Riley, 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 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 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Riley, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
