This 268.4-mile drive from Jasper, Indiana, to Gary, Indiana, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 7 minutes to complete. It's a highway-focused journey, with 82% of the route on interstates, making it a straightforward trip through the Midwest. You can expect to spend around $42 on fuel for this journey. The relatively short duration and highway nature of the route mean you can easily accomplish this in one go, with the flexibility to stop as needed. It's a practical option for getting between these two Indiana locations without requiring an overnight stay.
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
134.2 miles from Jasper, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
134.7 mi
2h 26m
I 69
74.5 mi
1h 22m
Newton Street
20.4 mi
23m
South John F Kennedy Avenue
17 mi
22m
I 74
9.2 mi
10m
65
3.9 mi
4m
Borman Expressway
1.4 mi
1m
Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 134.7 mi, about 2h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jasper, IN and Gary, IN.
1
Start on Court House Square
7 ft·2 sec·Court House Square
2
Turn right onto West 6th Street
169 ft·11 sec·West 6th Street
3
Turn right onto US 231; SR 56
20 mi·23 min·Newton Street
4
Continue on US 50; US 150; US 231
0.2 mi·18 sec·West Broadway Street
5
Turn left onto US 231
17 mi·22 min·South John F Kennedy Avenue
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
7
Merge onto I 69
74 mi·1 hr 22 min·I 69
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
1.4 mi·3 min
Exit 163Toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
9
Merge onto I 74; I 465
9.2 mi·10 min·I 74; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto 65
3.9 mi·4 min·65
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 20Toward I 65 North: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 65
18 mi·19 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto US 52
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 52
Exit 141Toward US 52 West
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
15
Merge onto I 65
117 mi·2 hr 7 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
1.4 mi·2 min
Exit 259AToward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6
1.4 mi·1 min·Borman Expressway
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 9Toward Grant StreetUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
336 ft·9 sec
Use the right lane.
20
Turn straight onto Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
1.2 mi·1 min·Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
21
Turn right onto West 15th Avenue
0.5 mi·56 sec·West 15th Avenue
22
Turn left onto Harrison Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Harrison Boulevard
23
Turn right onto 10th Place
254 ft·11 sec·10th Place
24
Arrive at destination
10th Place
Trip Plan
Given this route is achievable in under six hours, it's best tackled in the morning to give you ample time at your destination. You'll want to plan for at least one stop, especially during the 134.7-mile stretch on I-65, to stretch your legs and refuel if necessary. The estimated fuel cost is $42, so be sure to budget for that. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the longer highway segments to avoid any unexpected delays. Enjoy the straightforward drive through Indiana!
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 134.2 miles from Jasper, IN, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.7 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 59 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.2 miles or 2h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gary, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jasper, 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 Jasper, IN
This is one driving day of about 268.4 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Jasper, 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 134.7 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 112.4 and 266 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
112.4 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 163
Toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
6
123 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|65
Keep slight left at fork onto 65
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
126.9 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 20
Toward I 65 North: Chicago
8
263.1 mi into trip|~4h 57m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
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 259A
Toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
7
266 mi into trip|~5h 2m in
Take the exit toward Grant Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9
Toward Grant Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.96 one way
$83.92 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$46.07
$92.14
premium
$4.89
$51.65
$103.30
diesel
$5.61
$59.26
$118.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.5
0
$28.18
$12.88
Efficient EV
67.1
0
$23.48
$10.74
EV Truck/SUV
107.4
1
$37.58
$17.18
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Jasper, IN
Night
in Jasper on Saturday
Local time
10:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gary, IN
Night
in Gary on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 7m 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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$20
near mile 268.4
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Abraham Lincoln grew from youth to manhood on this southern Indiana soil. Many character and moral traits of one of the world's most respected leaders was formed and nurtured here. Explore Lincoln's b...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this trip, with 82% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-65 and I-69. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 134.7 miles on I-65, offering a significant period of consistent cruising. While much of the drive will be on faster roads, you will also navigate segments on Newton Street. This mix means periods of sustained highway travel punctuated by more local road conditions as you approach your destination.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 134.7 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 112.4 miles in.
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 20 significant decision points across 268.4 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 112.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123 miles (65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 126.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 268.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 134.7 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.
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 Gary, 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 112.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123 miles (65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 126.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Indiana Dunes National Park and Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gary, IN before the return drive.
