Origin
Monticello, IN
Late night in Monticello on Sunday
Local time
3:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monticello, IN to 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 44m
Distance
82.4 mi
133 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 36m
★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monticello, IN
Giuseppe Di Maria
Gary, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Monticello, IN to Gary, IN is 82.4 miles and takes about 1h 44m via I 65, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Indiana, connecting two points in the same state. Expect a drive that's primarily on the interstate, making it a straightforward and efficient journey. With no designated stops, this route is ideal for a quick, no-fuss transfer between locations, perfect for a single-day excursion. Consider this a practical transit rather than a leisurely sightseeing tour.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.2 miles from Monticello, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 57 mi | 1h 2m |
| West Broadway Street | 15.6 mi | 24m |
| West 100 North | 4 mi | 5m |
| Borman Expressway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| West 15th Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Harrison Boulevard | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| North Railroad Street West | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 57 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monticello, IN and Gary, IN.
1
Start on US 24; SR 39
286 ft
·
17 sec
·
North Railroad Street East
2
Turn left onto US 24; SR 39
30 ft
·
6 sec
·
West Washington Street
3
Turn left onto US 24; SR 39
435 ft
·
16 sec
·
North Railroad Street West
4
Turn right onto US 24; US 421
16 mi
·
24 min
·
West Broadway Street
5
Turn straight onto US 24; US 231
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
West 100 North
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
7
Merge onto I 65
57 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
2 min
Exit 259A
Toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Borman Expressway
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 9
Toward Grant Street
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
336 ft
·
9 sec
Use the right lane.
12
Turn straight onto Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
13
Turn right onto West 15th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
West 15th Avenue
14
Turn left onto Harrison Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Harrison Boulevard
15
Turn right onto 10th Place
254 ft
·
11 sec
·
10th Place
16
Arrive at destination
10th Place
Trip Plan
Given the short 1h 44m duration, this is a perfect same-day trip, so you can leave whenever it suits your schedule. With only 82.4 miles and a $13 fuel estimate, you won't need to worry much about frequent refueling stops. However, it's always wise to start with a full tank. The longest stretch of 57 miles on I 65 means you'll have extended periods of highway driving, so ensure you're comfortable with that. Since there are no recommended stops, your flexibility is key; plan for a quick pit stop only if needed.
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 41.2 miles from Monticello, IN, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57 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 18 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.2 miles or 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 1h 26m
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 Monticello, IN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Monticello, IN
This is one driving day of about 82.4 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Monticello, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 57 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.2 miles from Monticello, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 80.3 — 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
|
US 24; SR 39 / West Washington Street
Turn left onto US 24; SR 39 / West Washington Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 24; SR 39 / North Railroad Street West
Turn left onto US 24; SR 39 / North Railroad Street West
Navigation decision point
8
77.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m 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
80 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m 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
6
80.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.88 one way
$25.76 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.14 | $28.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $15.86 | $31.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.19 | $36.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.65 | $3.96 |
| Efficient EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.21 | $3.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33 | 0 | $11.54 | $5.27 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Gary, IN
Late night in Gary on Sunday
Local time
2:28 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
8 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 44m 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.
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
~31 min detour
$20
near mile 76.7
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Park Closure: Mount Baldy Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a highway-focused profile, with 71% of the drive taking place on major roadways like I 65. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch at 57 miles on I 65, offering a consistent pace. The initial portion involves West Broadway Street and West 100 North before merging onto the interstate. Expect a generally fast-paced drive, especially once you're on I 65, allowing for steady progress towards your destination. The character remains largely consistent, emphasizing efficient travel over varied scenery.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and West Broadway Street. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 24; SR 39 / West Washington Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82.4 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 24; SR 39 / West Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 24; SR 39 / North Railroad Street West): Navigation decision point; at 77.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 82.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
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 0.1 miles (US 24; SR 39 / West Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 24; SR 39 / North Railroad Street West): Navigation decision point; at 77.1 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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