Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
12m
Distance
6.3 mi
10 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gary, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Lake Station, IN
Arto Suraj
This quick 6.3-mile trip from Gary, IN to Lake Station, IN will only take about 12 minutes to complete. With a minimal fuel cost of around $1, it's an incredibly budget-friendly journey. The drive is primarily on local roads, featuring a turn-heavy profile that keeps you engaged. Since it's such a short distance, this route is perfect as a standalone day trip or an easy add-on to another adventure in the Midwest region. You won't need to worry about overnight stays here; it's a straightforward local hop.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central Avenue | 4.6 mi | 8m |
| West 15th Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| Madison Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West 11th Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Harrison Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 10th Place | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Gary, IN and Lake Station, IN.
Start on 10th Place
Turn right onto Harrison Street
Turn left onto West 11th Avenue
Turn right onto Madison Street
Turn left onto West 15th Avenue
Continue on Central Avenue
Arrive at destination
4 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 0.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Harrison Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto West 11th Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Madison Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto West 15th Avenue
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$0.98 one way
$1.97 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $1.08 | $2.16 |
| premium | $4.89 | $1.21 | $2.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $1.39 | $2.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$1
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 50% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 1.9 | 0 | $0.66 | $0.30 |
| Efficient EV | 1.6 | 0 | $0.55 | $0.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 2.5 | 0 | $0.88 | $0.40 |
Gas CO2
2 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (50% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Gary on Saturday
Local time
11:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Destination
Night in Lake Station on Saturday
Local time
11:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a very local driving experience on this route, with a 0% highway share. The roads are predominantly Central Avenue, West 15th Avenue, and Madison Street, each contributing to a turn-heavy profile. Your longest uninterrupted stretch will be 4.6 miles along Central Avenue. This isn't a route for highway cruising; instead, prepare for frequent turns and navigating through community streets. The character of the drive is consistent, focusing on local thoroughfares rather than high-speed travel.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Harrison Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 12m drive. You will face about 4 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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.
Weekend Trip
This is an easy same-day round trip, clocking in at just 6.3 miles and 12 minutes. You'll be back before you know it.
Family Friendly
With a total drive time of only 12 minutes and a short distance, this route is perfect for families with young kids. The turn-heavy nature might require a co-pilot for navigation.
Solo Traveler
Perfect for a solo traveler looking for a quick errand, this 6.3-mile route takes only 12 minutes. You'll have plenty of time for other activities.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
This 6.3-mile drive is a great first-timer route. While it's turn-heavy (complexity 3/10), the short 12-minute duration makes it easy to manage.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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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