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Trip from Middlebury, IN to City of Gary, IN

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

Drive Time

1h 53m

Distance

96.8 mi

156 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 45m ★
6 AM
1h 54m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
2h 0m
12 PM
1h 58m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 10m
8 PM
1h 49m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Middlebury, IN, IN

Middlebury, IN

Sawyer Sutton

Downtown City of Gary, IN, IN

City of Gary, IN

Артем Дворецкий

Trip Overview

This 96.8-mile drive from Middlebury, Indiana, to the City of Gary, Indiana, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 53 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the Indiana Toll Road, with some stretches on County Road 8 and SR 15 contributing to the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, this route offers an economical way to travel within the Midwest. The drive is predominantly on main roads, making it a straightforward transit between these two Indiana locations. Given its relatively short duration and manageable distance, no overnight stay is necessary.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

48.4 miles from Middlebury, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Indiana Toll Road 86.1 mi 1h 33m
County Road 8 5.6 mi 9m
SR 15 1.5 mi 2m
Bristol Avenue 1.1 mi 1m
East Elkhart Street 0.5 mi <1m
Madison Street 0.5 mi 1m
West 4th Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
West 8th Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Indiana Toll Road — 86.1 mi, about 1h 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Middlebury, IN and City of Gary, IN.

1

Start on SR 13

250 ft · 7 sec · Main Street
2

Turn left onto CR 8

1.1 mi · 1 min · Bristol Avenue
3

Continue on CR 8

5.6 mi · 9 min · County Road 8
4

Continue on CR 8

0.5 mi · 59 sec · East Elkhart Street
5

Turn right onto Pearl Street

341 ft · 11 sec · Pearl Street
6

Continue on SR 15

1.5 mi · 2 min · SR 15
7

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec
9

Merge onto I 80; I 90

86 mi · 1 hr 33 min · Indiana Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Exit 14B Toward SR 53: Broadway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn left onto SR 53

0.1 mi · 29 sec · Broadway
12

Turn right onto US 12; US 20

0.3 mi · 30 sec · West 4th Avenue
13

Turn left onto Madison Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Madison Street
14

Turn right onto West 8th Avenue

0.2 mi · 31 sec · West 8th Avenue
15

Turn left

342 ft · 25 sec
16

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this relatively short 1 hour and 53 minute drive covering 96.8 miles, flexibility is key. You can depart at your convenience, as there are no designated stops and the fuel cost is a modest $15. Pay close attention to the transition points from the Indiana Toll Road to local roads like County Road 8 and SR 15, as these can require more frequent adjustments. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 86.1 miles on the Indiana Toll Road, so be prepared for a change in road character as you approach your destination in Gary.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.4 miles from Middlebury, IN, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.1 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 21 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 48.4 miles or 58m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 32m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Middlebury, IN so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Middlebury, IN

This is one driving day of about 96.8 miles and 1h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Middlebury, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Indiana Toll Road for about 86.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Berrien County, Michigan, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Buchanan, MI

48 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

Mishawaka, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

LaPorte, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 48.4 miles from Middlebury, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Indiana Toll Road if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.1 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

Evan's Sidewalk Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bristol, Indiana

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 6.9

Hours: 4 am–2 pm

+15748487110

Visit website

Moser's Austrian Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New Carlisle, Indiana

2.6 mi

Carlisle Coffee and Sweets

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New Carlisle, Indiana

2.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Legendary Grind

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Middlebury, Indiana

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–3:30 pm

+15745387242

Visit website

Evan's Sidewalk Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 6.9

Bristol, Indiana

Hours: 4 am–2 pm

+15748487110

Visit website

Moser's Austrian Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 48.4

New Carlisle, Indiana

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+15746540086

Visit website

Carlisle Coffee and Sweets

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 48.4

New Carlisle, Indiana

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+15749880219

Visit website

Cafe Navarre

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $50 to $10 mile 34.6

South Bend, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15749688101

Visit website

Mayberry Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 13.8

Elkhart, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15742934604

Baker's Nook Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 20.7

Elkhart, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+15749707445

Visit website

T's Pizza & Family Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 89.9

Hobart, Indiana

Hours: 4–10:30 pm

+12199422424

Visit website

The Skillet Restaurant and Catering

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 34.6

South Bend, Indiana

Hours: 3–7 pm

+15742346069

Visit website

The Legendary Grind

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20

Middlebury, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–3:30 pm

+15745387242

Visit website

Steelyard Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 20.7

Elkhart, Indiana

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+15743276972

Visit website

The General Deli & Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 34.6

South Bend, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+15742864193

Visit website

Moraine Nature Preserve

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 76.1

Valparaiso, Indiana

+12199819183

Visit website

Unity Gardens Inc.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 34.6

South Bend, Indiana

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+15742222266

Visit website

Generations Adventureplex

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 27.7

Mishawaka, Indiana

Hours: 3–9 pm

+15748551095

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 9 and 96.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
9 mi into trip | ~15m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
9.3 mi into trip | ~16m in | I 80; I 90 / Indiana Toll Road

Merge onto I 80; I 90 / Indiana Toll Road

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
95.3 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in

Take the exit toward SR 53: Broadway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 14B Toward SR 53: Broadway
5
95.8 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in | US 12; US 20 / West 4th Avenue

Turn right onto US 12; US 20 / West 4th Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
96.8 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.13 one way

$30.27 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $16.62 $33.23
premium $4.89 $18.63 $37.26
diesel $5.61 $21.37 $42.74

Estimated Tolls: $6.03

Indiana Toll Road (86.1 mi) $6.03

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Tolls

$6

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 33.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29 0 $10.16 $4.65
Efficient EV 24.2 0 $8.47 $3.87
EV Truck/SUV 38.7 0 $13.55 $6.20

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (68% 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

Middlebury, IN

Morning in Middlebury on Sunday

Local time

10:51 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

City of Gary, IN

Morning in City of Gary on Sunday

Local time

9:51 AM

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

14 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

1h 53m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" experience for a portion of this 96.8-mile trip. While 86.1 miles are covered on the Indiana Toll Road, offering a consistent highway pace, the route also incorporates more localized roads. The highway share is about 2, indicating a significant but not exclusive reliance on faster routes. This mix means you'll transition from open highway to more varied local road conditions, requiring attention to navigation and speed changes as you progress towards Gary.

Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.1 mi on Indiana Toll Road.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

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 around 9 miles in.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 1h 53m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 9.3 miles (I 80; I 90 / Indiana Toll Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

879 ft 604 ft

Total Climb

112 ft

Total Descent

337 ft

Highest Point

879 ft

~62.2 mi in

Elevation Range

275 ft

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 96.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (2%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 86.1 miles on Indiana Toll Road. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $6.03 in tolls one way, starting with Indiana Toll Road. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 9.3 miles (I 80; I 90 / Indiana Toll Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at City of Gary, IN before heading back.

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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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