This 158.5-mile drive from Cloverdale, IN to the City of Gary, IN is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 32 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-65, with some segments on North Jackson Street and South Washington Street, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of around $25, it's an economical option for a quick getaway or a practical transfer. The drive is designed for efficiency, making it an ideal choice if you're looking for a direct and uncomplicated travel experience within Indiana.
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
79.2 miles from Cloverdale, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
83.7 mi
1h 32m
North Jackson Street
25.1 mi
37m
South Washington Street
12.7 mi
19m
Base Line Road
11.1 mi
16m
South River Road
6.6 mi
11m
US Highway 231
5.3 mi
7m
Base Line Rd
4 mi
5m
South Bloomington Street
2.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 83.7 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cloverdale, IN and City of Gary, IN.
1
Start on East Robert Weist Avenue
100 ft·6 sec·East Robert Weist Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 231
2.1 mi·3 min·North Main Street
3
Continue on US 231
5.3 mi·7 min·US Highway 231
4
Continue on US 231
2.4 mi·3 min·South Bloomington Street
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 231
0.5 mi·1 min·East Washington Street
6
At end of road, turn right onto North Gillespie Street
0.2 mi·1 min·North Gillespie Street
7
At end of road, turn left onto Jacob Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Jacob Street
8
Continue on Rockville Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Rockville Road
9
Continue on South County Road 125 West
0.4 mi·1 min·South County Road 125 West
10
Turn right onto West County Road 25 South
0.4 mi·1 min·West County Road 25 South
11
Turn left onto US 231
25 mi·37 min·North Jackson Street
12
Continue on SOUTH US 231
13 mi·19 min·South Washington Street
13
Continue on US 231
449 ft·7 sec·Holden Street
14
Turn slight left onto US 231
340 ft·5 sec·North Main Street
15
Continue on US 231
1.6 mi·2 min·Base Line Road
16
Continue on US 231
4.0 mi·5 min·Base Line Rd
17
Continue on US 231
9.6 mi·14 min·Base Line Road
18
Turn right onto South River Road
1.0 mi·2 min·South River Road
19
Enter roundabout onto South River Road
188 ft·7 sec·South River Road
20
Continue on South River Road
5.5 mi·9 min·South River Road
21
Continue on N River Road
0.4 mi·42 sec·N River Road
22
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
23
Merge onto I 65
84 mi·1 hr 32 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn left onto US 12; US 20
1.0 mi·1 min·East 5th Avenue
25
Continue on US 12; US 20
0.9 mi·1 min·East 4th Avenue
26
Turn left onto Madison Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Madison Street
27
Turn right onto West 8th Avenue
0.2 mi·31 sec·West 8th Avenue
28
Turn left
342 ft·25 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3-hour and 32-minute duration for this 158.5-mile trip, you can comfortably complete it in one day. Consider leaving Cloverdale in the morning to avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach Gary. With only one planned stop suggested, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to take a break, though it's wise to plan for fuel around the halfway point, especially since the longest stretch on I-65 is over 80 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you near Gary, as services can become more spread out.
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 79.2 miles from Cloverdale, IN, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.7 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 35 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.2 miles or 2h 2m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Gary, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cloverdale, 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 Cloverdale, IN
This is one driving day of about 158.5 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Cloverdale, 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 I 65 for about 83.7 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.8 and 158.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
9.8 mi into trip|~15m in|US 231 / East Washington Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 231 / East Washington Street
Navigation decision point
5
10.3 mi into trip|~16m in|North Gillespie Street
At end of road, turn right onto North Gillespie Street
Navigation decision point
6
10.6 mi into trip|~17m in|Jacob Street
At end of road, turn left onto Jacob Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
72.2 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
158.4 mi into trip|~3h 31m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.78 one way
$49.56 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.21
$54.41
premium
$4.89
$30.50
$61.00
diesel
$5.61
$34.99
$69.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.6
0
$16.64
$7.61
Efficient EV
39.6
0
$13.87
$6.34
EV Truck/SUV
63.4
0
$22.19
$10.14
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (65% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Cloverdale, IN
Morning
in Cloverdale on Tuesday
Local time
6:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Gary, IN
Late night
in City of Gary on Tuesday
Local time
5:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Shadeland, IN
79 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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
10 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
3h 32m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
$20
near mile 153
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?
Expect a mixed drive on this 158.5-mile route, with 56% of it being highway travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 83.7 miles along I-65, offering a period of consistent speed and straightforward navigation. While much of the journey is on the interstate, the inclusion of local streets like North Jackson Street and South Washington Street at the beginning and end will provide a slight change of pace. This blend means you’ll experience both open highway cruising and more typical city driving as you enter and exit your destinations.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.7 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 9.8 miles in near US 231 / East Washington Street.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Cloverdale, IN to City of Gary, IN is easy. At 3h 32m with 56% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 9.8 miles (US 231 / East Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 10.3 miles (North Gillespie Street): Navigation decision point; at 10.6 miles (Jacob Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 158.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.7 miles on I 65. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.8 miles (US 231 / East Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 10.3 miles (North Gillespie Street): Navigation decision point; at 10.6 miles (Jacob Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
Yes — Indiana Dunes National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at City of Gary, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
