Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Portage, IN to Broad Ripple, IN

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

Drive Time

2h 59m

Distance

154.7 mi

249 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 48m ★
6 AM
2h 59m
8 AM
3h 22m
10 AM
3h 7m
12 PM
3h 5m
3 PM
3h 8m
5 PM
3h 21m
8 PM
2h 52m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Porter County, Indiana, United States

Portage, IN

Wikimedia Commons

one of six areas designated as cultural districts in Indianapolis, Indiana

Broad Ripple, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Portage, IN to Broad Ripple, IN covers 154.7 miles and takes about 2h 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, I 865, I 465 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 130 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.19 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

77.4 miles from Portage, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway 130 mi 2h 21m
I 865 5.1 mi 6m
I 465 5 mi 5m
I 80 3.7 mi 5m
North Meridian Street 3.2 mi 5m
Indiana Toll Road 2.6 mi 3m
North College Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
East 71st Street 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway — 130 mi, about 2h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Central Avenue

0.4 mi · 53 sec · Central Avenue
2

Turn right onto Willowcreek Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Willowcreek Road
Use the right lane.
3

Take the ramp

434 ft · 11 sec
Toward I 80, I 90
4

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
5

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 47 sec · this road
6

Merge onto I 80; I 90

2.6 mi · 3 min · Indiana Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit onto I 80

0.6 mi · 1 min · I 80
Exit 21 Toward I 80 West, I 94, US 6: Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

0.1 mi · 13 sec · I 80
Toward I 94 West, I 80 West, SR 51, US 6 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

2.9 mi · 4 min · I 80
Toward I 94 West, I 80 West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 51 sec
Exit 12 Toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, Indianapolis Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 9 sec
Toward I 65 South, I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Indianapolis, Chicago
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 59 sec
Toward I 65 South: Indianapolis Use the slight left lane.
13

Merge onto I 65

130 mi · 2 hr 21 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 865

5.1 mi · 6 min · I 865
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Merge onto I 465

5.0 mi · 5 min · I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 23 sec
Exit 31 Toward US 31 North: Meridian Street South, Westfield, Kokomo Use the slight right lane.
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 52 sec
Toward Meridian Street South
18

Turn right onto North Meridian Street

3.2 mi · 5 min · North Meridian Street
Use the left lane.
19

Turn left onto East 71st Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East 71st Street
Use the left lane.
20

Turn right onto North College Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · North College Avenue
Use the straight lane.
21

Turn left onto East 64th Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · East 64th Street
22

At end of road, turn right onto Westfield Boulevard

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Westfield Boulevard
23

Continue on Winthrop Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · Winthrop Avenue
24

Arrive at destination

Winthrop Avenue

Trip Plan

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77.4 miles from Portage, IN, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130 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 34 miles or 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 77.4 miles or 1h 28m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 22m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Portage, 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 Portage, IN

This is one driving day of about 154.7 miles and 2h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Portage, 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 130 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Indiana, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

West Lafayette, IN

77 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

Lansing, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Shelby, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 77.4 miles from Portage, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 130 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

Trish's Red Bird Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dayton, Indiana

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 99.5

Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm

+17652966964

Visit website

Noodles and Company

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Indianapolis, Indiana

1.2 mi

Cafe Patachou Zionsville

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Zionsville, Indiana

1.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Kaffa Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crown Point, Indiana

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 22.1

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+12192132613

Visit website

Trish's Red Bird Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 99.5

Dayton, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm

+17652966964

Visit website

Noodles and Company

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 143.7

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+13174718100

Visit website

Cafe Patachou Zionsville

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 143.7

Zionsville, Indiana

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+13173446700

Visit website

Papa Murphy's | Take 'N' Bake Pizza

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Inexpensiv mile 143.7

Zionsville, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14632229981

Visit website

TC's Restaurant & Tavern

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 88.4

Battle Ground, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17655672838

Visit website

T's Pizza & Family Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 11.1

Hobart, Indiana

Hours: 4–10:30 pm

+12199422424

Visit website

The Country Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 99.5

Lafayette, Indiana

Hours: 5:30 am–2 pm

+17654481557

Visit website

FLUID Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 22.1

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12192132044

Visit website

Kaffa Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 22.1

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+12192132613

Visit website

Sip Coffee House & Artisan Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 22.1

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12196629165

Visit website

Cafe Fresco

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 22.1

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12193108078

Visit website

Smalltown Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 22.1

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12193233948

Visit website

Wanderlust Coffee Roasters

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 88.4

West Lafayette, Indiana

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+17657753377

Visit website

The Region Cat Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 11.1

Merrillville, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

Visit website

Cafe Literato

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 88.4

West Lafayette, Indiana

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+17655883701

Visit website

Lebanon Rest Area - I65 SB

0 mi from route

I-65 Rest Stop (northbound)

0.1 mi from route

I-65 Rest Stop (southbound)

0.1 mi from route

TA

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

George Ade Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

J.T. McCutcheon Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Love's

0.2 mi from route

Wolcott Rest Area - I-65 NB

0.2 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

TA

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Wolcott Rest Area - I-65 SB

0.3 mi from route

TA

0.3 mi from route

Road Ranger

0.3 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.3 mi from route

Mr. Fuel Travel Center

0.3 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.4 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

2.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

2.3 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

2.4 mi from 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 4 and 149 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
4 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 80

Take the exit onto I 80 toward I 80 West, I 94, US 6: Des Moines

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 21 Toward I 80 West, I 94, US 6: Des Moines
8
4.6 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 80

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 94 West, I 80 West, SR 51, US 6 East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 94 West, I 80 West, SR 51, US 6 East
8
4.7 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 80

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 toward I 94 West, I 80 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 94 West, I 80 West
8
7.7 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, 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 12 Toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, Indianapolis
8
149 mi into trip | ~2h 47m in

Take the exit toward US 31 North: Meridian Street South, Westfield, Kokomo

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 31 Toward US 31 North: Meridian Street South, West...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.19 one way

$48.37 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $26.55 $53.11
premium $4.89 $29.77 $59.54
diesel $5.61 $34.16 $68.31

Estimated Tolls: $0.18

Indiana Toll Road (2.6 mi) $0.18

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

$24

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46.4 0 $16.24 $7.43
Efficient EV 38.7 0 $13.54 $6.19
EV Truck/SUV 61.9 0 $21.66 $9.90

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (67% 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

Portage, IN

Afternoon in Portage on Sunday

Local time

12:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Broad Ripple, IN

Afternoon in Broad Ripple on Sunday

Local time

1:27 PM

EDT

Current temp

75°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 later

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

Temperature spread

25 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 59m 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

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...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour $20
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Park Closure: Mount Baldy Closure
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

154.7 mi in 2h 59m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 130 mi on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 4 miles in near I 80.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 154.7 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 4 miles (I 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.7 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Portage, IN to Broad Ripple, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.

Chicago

8.3 mi in | ~12m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 59m. Total distance: 154.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 130 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.18 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.

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 Broad Ripple, 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 4 miles (I 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.7 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Broad Ripple, 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Broad Ripple, IN

Evansville, IN 177.3 mi · 3h 29m Lafayette, IN 61.7 mi · 1h 16m Kokomo, IN 44.9 mi · 1h 4m Greenwood, IN 22.4 mi · 36m

More from Portage, IN

Boonville, IN 322.1 mi · 6h 3m Santa Claus, IN 295.7 mi · 5h 42m Ferdinand, IN 285.7 mi · 5h 31m Clarksville, IN 266.5 mi · 5h Scottsburg, IN 240.4 mi · 4h 33m Brookville, IN 228.6 mi · 4h 40m

More trips to Broad Ripple, IN

Concord, IN 139.8 mi Jeffersonville, IN 118.7 mi Fort Wayne, IN 118.5 mi Terre Haute, IN 84.9 mi Bloomington, IN 58.5 mi
Escape planner: Portage, IN Scenic drives in IN

Explore more options from Portage, IN or browse trips ending in Broad Ripple, IN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IN road trips.