Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Gary, IN to Fairmount, IN

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

Drive Time

3h 17m

Distance

153.2 mi

247 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 5m ★
6 AM
3h 17m
8 AM
3h 41m
10 AM
3h 26m
12 PM
3h 23m
3 PM
3h 27m
5 PM
3h 40m
8 PM
3h 10m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Lake County, State of Indiana, United States

Gary, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Fairmount, IN, IN

Fairmount, IN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

This 153.2-mile drive from Gary, Indiana, to Fairmount, Indiana, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 17 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of roads, including the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway and SR 26, with about 40% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest journey is around $24. Given its reasonable length and duration, this route is well-suited for a focused day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The overall feel is a practical, mixed drive through familiar Indiana landscapes.

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

76.6 miles from Gary, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway 85.7 mi 1h 33m
SR 26 60.8 mi 1h 29m
Martin Luther King Drive 2.5 mi 4m
West 15th Avenue 1 mi 1m
East 950 S 0.7 mi 1m
South East 00 West 0.5 mi <1m
West Washington Street 0.4 mi 1m
Madison Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway — 85.7 mi, about 1h 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gary, IN and Fairmount, IN.

1

Start on 10th Place

55 ft · 4 sec · 10th Place
2

Turn right onto Harrison Street

480 ft · 28 sec · Harrison Street
3

Turn left onto West 11th Avenue

0.2 mi · 39 sec · West 11th Avenue
4

Turn right onto Madison Street

0.3 mi · 47 sec · Madison Street
5

Turn left onto West 15th Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · West 15th Avenue
6

Continue on Central Avenue

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Central Avenue
7

Turn right onto Martin Luther King Drive

2.5 mi · 4 min · Martin Luther King Drive
8

Turn left onto US 6 Business

0.2 mi · 34 sec · East Ridge Road
9

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec
10

Merge onto I 65

86 mi · 1 hr 33 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 31 sec
Exit 172 Toward SR 26: Rossville, Lafayette Use the slight right lane.
12

Turn left onto SR 26

61 mi · 1 hr 29 min · SR 26
13

Turn right onto SR 9

0.5 mi · 49 sec · South East 00 West
14

Turn left onto East 950 S

0.7 mi · 1 min · East 950 S
15

Continue on West Washington Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · West Washington Street
16

Turn right onto South Main Street

114 ft · 5 sec · South Main Street
17

Arrive at destination

South Main Street

Trip Plan

Planning this 3-hour and 17-minute drive from Gary to Fairmount is straightforward due to its manageable length. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and allow ample time for any unscheduled stops. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 85.7-mile stretch on the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost of $24 is a good baseline, but always factor in potential price variations. Since this is a single-day trip, you can be flexible with your departure time and enjoy the drive without pressure.

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 76.6 miles from Gary, IN, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.7 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 34 miles or 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 76.6 miles or 1h 28m 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 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairmount, IN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving 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 Gary, IN

This is one driving day of about 153.2 miles and 3h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from 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 85.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Lafayette, IN, IN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lafayette, IN

77 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

Lansing, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

West Lafayette, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.6 miles from 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 85.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Gourmet Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Merrillville, Indiana

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 10.9

Hours: 10 am–7:30 pm

Visit website

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Merrillville, Indiana

1.3 mi

FLUID Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crown Point, Indiana

2.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Branch

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fairmount, Indiana

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 153.2

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+17653800274

Visit website

The Region Cat Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Merrillville, Indiana

1.2 mi

North End Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lafayette, Indiana

2.5 mi

The Gourmet Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 10.9

Merrillville, Indiana

Hours: 10 am–7:30 pm

Visit website

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 10.9

Merrillville, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+12195001370

Visit website

FLUID Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 10.9

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12192132044

Visit website

The Country Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 87.5

Lafayette, Indiana

Hours: 5:30 am–2 pm

+17654481557

Visit website

TC's Restaurant & Tavern

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 87.5

Battle Ground, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17655672838

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 87.5

Lafayette, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+17654477700

Visit website

RedSeven Kitchen + Cocktail

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 87.5

Lafayette, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+17657427337

Visit website

8Eleven Modern Bistro

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 87.5

West Lafayette, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+17654965126

Visit website

The Branch

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 153.2

Fairmount, Indiana

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+17653800274

Visit website

The Region Cat Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 10.9

Merrillville, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

Visit website

North End Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 87.5

Lafayette, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+17654771873

Visit website

Kaffa Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 10.9

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+12192132613

Visit website

Smalltown Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 10.9

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12193233948

Visit website

Jump Start Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 87.5

Lafayette, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17654763454

Visit website

Wanderlust Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 87.5

Lafayette, Indiana

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

Sip Coffee House & Artisan Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 10.9

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12196629165

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 131.3

Kokomo, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 131.3

Kokomo, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 90.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Harrison Street

Turn right onto Harrison Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | West 11th Avenue

Turn left onto West 11th Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | Madison Street

Turn right onto Madison Street

Navigation decision point

5
4.8 mi into trip | ~10m in | I 65 / Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway

Merge onto I 65 / Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
90.5 mi into trip | ~1h 43m in

Take the exit toward SR 26: Rossville, Lafayette

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 172 Toward SR 26: Rossville, Lafayette

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.95 one way

$47.90 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $26.30 $52.59
premium $4.89 $29.48 $58.96
diesel $5.61 $33.82 $67.65

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46 0 $16.09 $7.35
Efficient EV 38.3 0 $13.40 $6.13
EV Truck/SUV 61.3 0 $21.45 $9.80

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 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

Gary, IN

Late night in Gary on Sunday

Local time

2:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fairmount, IN

Late night in Fairmount on Sunday

Local time

3:33 AM

EDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

73°F

Lafayette, IN

77 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

7 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 17m 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

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 5.3
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?

The character of this drive is a mixed bag, offering a blend of highway and local road experiences. With 40% of the route on highways, you'll find some stretches of faster travel, but expect to transition to more local roads as you progress. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 85.7 miles along the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, providing a solid segment of consistent driving. The road profile is described as 'Mixed drive,' suggesting a varied pace and scenery that keeps things interesting without being overly demanding. This means you'll likely experience both open highway conditions and more winding, potentially slower, local routes.

40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.7 mi on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway.

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 early in the drive near Harrison Street.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Gary, IN to Fairmount, IN is easy. At 3h 17m with 40% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Harrison Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (West 11th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Madison Street): Navigation decision point.

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 Gary, IN to Fairmount, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Lafayette along the way.

Lafayette

90.5 mi in | ~1h 43m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 153.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (40%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 85.7 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.

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: near the start (Harrison Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (West 11th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Madison Street): Navigation decision point.

Yes — Indiana Dunes National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Fairmount, 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Fairmount, IN

Hammond, IN 160.2 mi · 3h 25m Carmel, IN 48.1 mi · 1h 6m

More from Gary, IN

Troy, IN 304.7 mi · 6h 2m Clarksville, IN 261 mi · 4h 54m New Pekin, IN 258.9 mi · 5h 3m Saint Joseph, IN 255.4 mi · 4h 54m Aurora, IN 246.7 mi · 4h 50m Austin, IN 228.6 mi · 4h 20m
Escape planner: Gary, IN Scenic drives in IN

Explore more options from Gary, IN or browse trips ending in Fairmount, IN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IN road trips.