Gary, IN to Smithfield, IN is 202.8 miles and takes about 3h 58m via Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway and I 69, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Indiana, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a mix of surface roads and interstate driving, making it a straightforward, single-day excursion. It's a practical option if you're looking for a direct route without extensive planning.
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
101.4 miles from Gary, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
128.7 mi
2h 19m
I 69
32 mi
35m
I 465
10.7 mi
12m
West 500 S
9.4 mi
12m
I 865
5.1 mi
6m
West 550 S
2.9 mi
3m
Martin Luther King Drive
2.5 mi
4m
East Smithfield Pike
2.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
— 128.7 mi, about 2h 19m
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 Gary, IN and Smithfield, 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
129 mi·2 hr 19 min·Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 865
5.1 mi·6 min·I 865
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 465
11 mi·12 min·I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 37AToward Binford Boulevard, IndianapolisUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 37BToward I 69 North: Fort Wayne
15
Merge onto Binford Boulevard
1.1 mi·1 min·Binford Boulevard
16
Merge onto I 69
2.8 mi·3 min·I 69
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69
29 mi·31 min·I 69
18
Take the exit onto SR 67
0.4 mi·42 sec·SR 67
Exit 234Toward SR 67 North: Anderson, Muncie
19
Turn right onto SR 67
1.1 mi·1 min·West Commerce Road
20
Continue on SR 67
0.5 mi·39 sec·West County Road 550 S
21
Continue on SR 67
2.9 mi·3 min·West 550 S
22
Continue on SR 67
0.6 mi·49 sec·South Bell Creek Road
23
Continue on SR 67
9.4 mi·12 min·West 500 S
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward Memorial Drive
25
Turn left onto East Memorial Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·East Memorial Drive
26
At end of road, turn right onto South 400 East
0.3 mi·1 min·South 400 East
27
Turn left onto East Smithfield Pike
2.1 mi·4 min·East Smithfield Pike
28
Continue on East 138 South
0.2 mi·38 sec·East 138 South
29
Turn right onto South 625 East
0.2 mi·33 sec·South 625 East
30
Turn right onto East Market Street
79 ft·3 sec·East Market Street
31
Arrive at destination
East Market Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 58m drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart Gary, IN in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $32, you have flexibility in planning. Keep an eye out for the transition from surface roads to I 69, as this marks the change in driving pace. Consider topping off your fuel tank before leaving Gary to ensure you have ample range.
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 101.4 miles from Gary, IN, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.7 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 45 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.4 miles or 1h 55m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smithfield, 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 202.8 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 128.7 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 183.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|West 11th Avenue
Turn left onto West 11th Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
133.5 mi into trip|~2h 29m 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
149.3 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward Binford Boulevard, 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 37A
Toward Binford Boulevard, Indianapolis
6
150 mi into trip|~2h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 69 North: Fort Wayne
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 37B
Toward I 69 North: Fort Wayne
6
183.6 mi into trip|~3h 27m in|SR 67
Take the exit onto SR 67 toward SR 67 North: Anderson, Muncie
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 234
Toward SR 67 North: Anderson, Muncie
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.95 one way
$59.90 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$33.06
$66.13
premium
$4.72
$37.65
$75.31
diesel
$4.80
$38.29
$76.58
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: 71 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.8
0
$21.29
$9.73
Efficient EV
50.7
0
$17.75
$8.11
EV Truck/SUV
81.1
1
$28.39
$12.98
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Gary, IN
Afternoon
in Gary on Sunday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Smoke
SSW 5 mph46% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:04AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Smithfield, IN
Afternoon
in Smithfield on Sunday
Local time
3:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Patchy Smoke
SSW 6 mph70% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:04AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
84°F
Clermont, IN
101 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 58m 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
~33 min detour
$20
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 covers 202.8 miles, with 24% on highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 128.7 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, which is primarily surface roads, before merging onto interstates. Expect a gradual shift from surface road cruising with frequent intersections to higher-speed interstate travel. The interstate portion will likely involve merging traffic and higher volumes of vehicles.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.7 mi on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 0.1 miles in near West 11th Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 202.8 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 0.1 miles (West 11th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 133.5 miles (I 865): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
982 ft558 ft
Total Climb
741 ft
Total Descent
359 ft
Highest Point
982 ft
~202.8 mi in
Elevation Range
424 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gary, IN and Smithfield, IN, road signs point toward Indianapolis and Muncie.
Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana. It is perhaps best known as the birthplace of the legendary pop star Michael Jackson.
Founded in 1906 as a company town for U.S. Steel, it thrived in the 1950s and early 60s and earned the nickname "The Magic City". In 2007, it was described by writer Jessica Hopper as "the Pompeii of the Midwest, a city of ruins where life can seem to have just suddenly stopped".
Top landmarks
•Van Buren Terrace Historic District — historic district in Indiana, United States
•Gary City Center Historic District — historic district in Gary, Indiana
•Union Station — former railroad station in Gary, Indiana, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 58m. Total distance: 202.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.7 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.
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 Smithfield, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West 11th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 133.5 miles (I 865): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Smithfield, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
