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Trip from Mulberry, IN to Portage, IN

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 6m

Distance

104.6 mi

168 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 57m ★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 24m
10 AM
2h 13m
12 PM
2h 11m
3 PM
2h 14m
5 PM
2h 24m
8 PM
2h 1m

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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genus of plants

Mulberry, IN

Wikimedia Commons

city in Porter County, Indiana, United States

Portage, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 104.6-mile drive from Mulberry to Portage, Indiana, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 6 minutes. Designed as a 1-day excursion, it's a convenient option for a quick getaway within the Midwest region. The majority of your travel, 87% to be exact, will be on highways, making it a predominantly fast-paced journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, this route is budget-friendly for a single-day adventure. You'll spend most of your time on I-65, making it a practical choice when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

52.3 miles from Mulberry, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 90.5 mi 1h 39m
Central Avenue 5.7 mi 11m
State Road 38 4.9 mi 8m
East Jackson Street 0.7 mi 1m
Walnut Street 0.6 mi 1m
SR 38 0.4 mi <1m
South Main Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 90.5 mi, about 1h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mulberry, IN and Portage, IN.

1

Start on this road

9 ft · 2 sec · this road
2

Turn right

36 ft · 8 sec
3

Turn left onto South Main Street

66 ft · 8 sec · South Main Street
4

Turn left onto SR 38

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Jackson Street
5

Continue on SR 38

4.9 mi · 8 min · State Road 38
6

Continue on SR 38

0.6 mi · 1 min · Walnut Street
7

Continue on SR 38

0.4 mi · 51 sec · SR 38
8

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
9

Merge onto I 65

91 mi · 1 hr 39 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 259B Toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Exit 13 Toward Central Avenue Use the slight right lane.
12

Turn right onto Central Avenue

4.3 mi · 8 min · Central Avenue
13

Continue on Central Avenue

1.4 mi · 3 min · Central Avenue
14

Arrive at destination

Central Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour and 6-minute duration, this drive is perfectly suited for a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Leaving earlier in the morning can help you avoid any potential midday traffic, especially as you approach Portage. With a fuel cost around $16, you won't need to worry about frequent fuel stops, though it's always wise to top off before you depart. The longest stretch on I-65 is over 90 miles, so plan for a comfortable seating position and perhaps some good audio entertainment for that segment. Enjoy the straightforward nature of this drive and arrive at your destination with ease.

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 52.3 miles from Mulberry, IN, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.5 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 23 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 52.3 miles or 1h 2m 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 39m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Mulberry, 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 Mulberry, IN

This is one driving day of about 104.6 miles and 2h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Mulberry, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 90.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

census-designated place in Indiana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Shelby, IN

52 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

Battle Ground, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rensselaer, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52.3 miles from Mulberry, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Merrillville, Indiana

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 18min to go 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+12195001370

Visit website

FLUID Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crown Point, Indiana

2 mi

TC's Restaurant & Tavern

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Battle Ground, Indiana

2.5 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Smalltown Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crown Point, Indiana

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 18min to go 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12193233948

Visit website

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Merrillville, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+12195001370

Visit website

FLUID Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12192132044

Visit website

TC's Restaurant & Tavern

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Battle Ground, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17655672838

Visit website

T's Pizza & Family Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Hobart, Indiana

Hours: 4–10:30 pm

+12199422424

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Lafayette, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+17654477700

Visit website

RedSeven Kitchen + Cocktail

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30

Lafayette, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+17657427337

Visit website

Smalltown Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12193233948

Visit website

Sip Coffee House & Artisan Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12196629165

Visit website

Cafe Fresco

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12193108078

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 98.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Main Street

Turn left onto South Main Street

Navigation decision point

5
7.2 mi into trip | ~13m in | I 65

Merge onto I 65

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
97.8 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in

Take the exit toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit

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 259B Toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo,...
8
98.6 mi into trip | ~1h 54m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Central Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 13 Toward Central Avenue

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.35 one way

$32.71 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $17.95 $35.91
premium $4.89 $20.13 $40.26
diesel $5.61 $23.09 $46.19

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 36.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.4 0 $10.98 $5.02
Efficient EV 26.2 0 $9.15 $4.18
EV Truck/SUV 41.8 0 $14.64 $6.69

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 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 20, 2026

Origin

Mulberry, IN

Late night in Mulberry on Tuesday

Local time

4:54 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Portage, IN

Late night in Portage on Tuesday

Local time

3:54 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

64°F

Shelby, IN

52 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 earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

11 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

2h 6m 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 highway-focused drive for this 104.6-mile journey, with 87% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 90.5 miles on I-65, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent highway travel. While primarily on interstates like I-65, you'll also navigate sections of Central Avenue and State Road 38, offering slight variations in the driving experience. This route is built for efficiency, meaning you'll experience fewer stops and a more direct path rather than winding country roads.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.5 mi on I 65.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Central Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 6m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.2 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Mulberry, IN to Portage, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Detroit along the way.

Detroit

97.8 mi in | ~1h 52m

About the Cities

Starting in Mulberry, IN

Full guide →

Founded 1858

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 104.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 90.5 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.2 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Portage, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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