The City of Gary, IN to Rising Sun, IN is 256.8 miles and takes about 5h 6m via Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway and US 421, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Indiana, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads as you head southeast. It's a manageable one-day drive, suitable for those looking for a straightforward trip across the state.
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
128.4 miles from City of Gary, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
132.6 mi
2h 25m
US 421
62.8 mi
1h 8m
I 465
12.5 mi
14m
I 69
10.5 mi
12m
SR 48
10.1 mi
17m
State Road 56
6.9 mi
12m
SR 101
6.2 mi
9m
SR 148
5.1 mi
9m
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 Rising Sun, 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
11 mi·12 min·I 69; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto US 421
0.1 mi·15 sec·US 421
Exit 49Toward I 74 East, US 421 South: Cincinnati, Southeastern AvenueUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·US 421
Toward I 74 East, US 421 South: CincinnatiUse the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 156Toward SR 101: Sunman, Milan
12
Turn right onto SR 101
6.2 mi·9 min·SR 101
13
Turn left onto SR 48
10 mi·17 min·SR 48
14
Turn right onto SR 148
5.1 mi·9 min·SR 148
Use the right lane.
15
Turn right onto US 50
0.5 mi·1 min·Green Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto SR 56
0.3 mi·36 sec·Importing Street
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on SR 56
0.1 mi·18 sec·Judiciary Street
18
Turn left onto SR 56
286 ft·5 sec·3rd Street
19
Continue on SR 56
0.1 mi·12 sec·Water Street
20
Continue on SR 56
1.1 mi·1 min·Decatur Street
21
Continue on SR 56
6.9 mi·12 min·State Road 56
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn left onto SR 56
474 ft·16 sec·Main Street
23
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
135 ft·5 sec·North Walnut Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
24
Arrive at destination
North Walnut Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 6m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning from Gary, IN should allow you to reach Rising Sun, IN with plenty of daylight. You'll have one recommended stop, so plan to take a break about halfway through, perhaps around the transition from Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway to US 421. With a fuel cost estimated at $40, keep an eye on your gauge, especially after leaving the primary highway sections. This is a feasible same-day trip, so you can 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 128.4 miles from City of Gary, IN, or about 2h 23m 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 56 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.4 miles or 2h 23m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rising Sun, 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 256.8 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 135.1 and 256.8 — 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
163.2 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|US 421
Take the exit onto US 421 toward I 74 East, US 421 South: Cincinnati, Southeastern Avenue
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 49
Toward I 74 East, US 421 South: Cincinnati, Sou...
8
163.3 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|US 421
Keep slight left at fork onto US 421 toward I 74 East, US 421 South: Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 74 East, US 421 South: Cincinnati
6
226 mi into trip|~4h 11m in
Take the exit toward SR 101: Sunman, Milan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 156
Toward SR 101: Sunman, Milan
7
256.8 mi into trip|~5h 5m in|North Walnut Street
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.88 one way
$69.76 round trip
$3.45/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.85
$38.92
$77.85
premium
$4.15
$41.96
$83.91
diesel
$3.75
$37.91
$75.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77
0
$26.96
$12.33
Efficient EV
64.2
0
$22.47
$10.27
EV Truck/SUV
102.7
1
$35.95
$16.44
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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
6:56 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
Rising Sun, IN
Morning
in Rising Sun on Sunday
Local time
7:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Sunny
N 6 to 10 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
72°F
Beech Grove, IN
128 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
1 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
5h 6m 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?
About 44% of this 256.8-mile route is on highways, with the longest continuous stretch being 132.6 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. You'll experience a mixed highway and surface road profile, meaning you'll transition from faster-paced driving to more local roads. This will likely involve more frequent exits and potentially slower speeds as you move away from the main interstates and onto US 421.
44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 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
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 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 18 significant decision points across 256.8 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 163.2 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.3 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
970 ft498 ft
Total Climb
731 ft
Total Descent
837 ft
Highest Point
970 ft
~220.1 mi in
Elevation Range
472 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 Rising Sun, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Milan along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 256.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface 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 29 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 Rising Sun, 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 29 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 163.2 miles (US 421): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.3 miles (US 421): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rising Sun, IN before the return drive.
