Gary, IN to Worthington, IN is 218.9 miles and takes about 4h 23m via Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway and US Highway 231, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Indiana, offering a straightforward path between two points. The majority of this drive is on surface roads, so expect a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate haul. It's a convenient route if you're looking for a single-day excursion without extensive highway time, allowing for a relatively quick transit between these Indiana locations.
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
109.5 miles from Gary, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
128.7 mi
2h 19m
US Highway 231
32.5 mi
46m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
28.7 mi
30m
I 465
9.5 mi
10m
I 65
5.9 mi
6m
Martin Luther King Drive
2.5 mi
4m
North Main Street
2.2 mi
4m
West 15th Avenue
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
— 128.7 mi, about 2h 19m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 98 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,173 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,837
Quietest
2 AM
~307 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
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 Gary, IN and Worthington, 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 left at fork onto I 65
5.9 mi·6 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 123Toward I 465 South
13
Continue on this road
0.6 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 123Toward I 465 South
14
Merge onto I 465
9.5 mi·10 min·I 465
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 9A-BToward I 70: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International Airport, IndianapolisUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
2.6 mi·5 min
Exit 9BToward I 70 West: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International AirportUse the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 70 West: Saint LouisUse the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto I 70
29 mi·30 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·37 sec
Exit 41Toward US 231: Cloverdale, Greencastle
20
Keep slight left at fork
180 ft·4 sec
21
Turn left onto US 231
2.2 mi·4 min·North Main Street
22
Continue on US 231
0.3 mi·28 sec·S Main St
23
Continue on US 231
8.3 mi·11 min·US Highway 231
24
Continue on US 231
7.5 mi·11 min·US Highway 231
25
Continue on US 231; SR 67
0.3 mi·40 sec·Fletcher Avenue
26
Turn right onto US 231; SR 46; SR 67
0.9 mi·2 min·East Morgan Street
27
Continue on US 231; SR 67
8.0 mi·11 min·US Highway 231
28
Continue on US 231; SR 67
0.4 mi·48 sec·Main Street
29
Continue on US 231; SR 67
8.7 mi·12 min·US Highway 231
30
Turn right onto 3rd Street
0.3 mi·1 min·3rd Street
31
At end of road, turn right onto SR 157
0.2 mi·18 sec·North Jefferson Street
32
Arrive at destination
SR 157
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 23m duration, leaving Gary, IN in the morning should get you to Worthington, IN with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a low fuel cost of around $35, this is a manageable one-day trip. Pay attention to the 22% highway share; understand where those highway segments begin and end to best anticipate changes in driving pace. Since the longest stretch is on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, keep an eye on your fuel gauge before embarking on that particular segment, as it's a significant portion of the drive.
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 109.5 miles from Gary, IN, or about 2h 3m 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 48 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.5 miles or 2h 3m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Worthington, 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 218.9 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 133.5 and 181.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
133.5 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|I 65
Keep slight left at fork onto I 65
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
149.7 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International Airport, 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 9A-B
Toward I 70: Saint Louis, Indianapolis Internat...
9
149.9 mi into trip|~2h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 70 West: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 9B
Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis, Indianapolis Int...
7
152.6 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 West: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis
6
181.6 mi into trip|~3h 26m in
Take the exit toward US 231: Cloverdale, Greencastle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 41
Toward US 231: Cloverdale, Greencastle
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.73 one way
$59.46 round trip
$3.45/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.85
$33.18
$66.36
premium
$4.15
$35.77
$71.53
diesel
$3.75
$32.32
$64.64
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: 76.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.7
0
$22.98
$10.51
Efficient EV
54.7
0
$19.15
$8.76
EV Truck/SUV
87.6
1
$30.65
$14.01
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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
Gary, IN
Morning
in Gary on Sunday
Local time
8:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 5 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:58AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:58AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Worthington, IN
Morning
in Worthington on Sunday
Local time
9:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Sunny
NNE 6 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:58AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:58AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 23m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on surface roads, with only 22% of the total distance covered by highways like the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. You'll experience the longest continuous stretch on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, covering 128.7 miles. Be prepared for frequent intersections and potentially slower traffic as you transition from any highway segments to the predominantly surface road profile. This means more opportunities to notice local scenery rather than high-speed cruising.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 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?
9/10
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 133.5 miles in near I 65.
Driving Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 218.9 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 133.5 miles (I 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
949 ft514 ft
Total Climb
517 ft
Total Descent
603 ft
Highest Point
949 ft
~125.1 mi in
Elevation Range
436 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 Worthington, IN, road signs point toward Indianapolis International Airport, Indianapolis and Greencastle.
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 4h 23m. Total distance: 218.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m 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.
Yes — we found about 30 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 Worthington, 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 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 133.5 miles (I 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.9 miles: 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Worthington, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
