Portage, IN to Frankton, IN is 163.6 miles and takes about 3h 26m via Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Indiana, moving you through the Midwest region. It's a straightforward trip that primarily uses surface roads, making it a relaxed way to cover the distance. Consider this route if you're looking for a simple, direct connection between these two points without navigating major interstate highways.
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
81.8 miles from Portage, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
101.2 mi
1h 50m
West 200 South
9.9 mi
14m
County Road 100 South
7.8 mi
11m
SR 28
7.4 mi
11m
East 150 South
5.5 mi
8m
800 North
4 mi
7m
I 80
3.7 mi
5m
East Wabash Street
3.4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
— 101.2 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,632 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,183
Quietest
2 AM
~275 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portage, IN and Frankton, 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 21Toward I 80 West, I 94, US 6: Des MoinesUse 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 EastUse 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 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·51 sec
Exit 12Toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, IndianapolisUse 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: IndianapolisUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 65
101 mi·1 hr 50 min·Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 158Toward SR 28: Frankfort, AtticaUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto SR 28
7.4 mi·11 min·SR 28
16
Turn straight onto SR 28
1.2 mi·1 min·West Walnut Street
17
Turn right onto US 421; SR 28
406 ft·13 sec·South Hoke Avenue
18
Turn left onto US 421; SR 28
3.4 mi·5 min·East Wabash Street
19
Continue on US 421; SR 28
2.0 mi·2 min·East County Road 50 S
20
Turn right onto US 421; SR 28
0.5 mi·50 sec·US 421; SR 28
21
Turn left onto SR 28
7.8 mi·11 min·County Road 100 South
22
Continue on SR 28
6.1 mi·9 min·West 200 South
23
Enter roundabout onto SR 28
98 ft·1 sec·West 200 South
24
Continue on SR 28
0.1 mi·14 sec·West 200 South
25
Enter roundabout onto SR 28
150 ft·2 sec·West 200 South
26
Continue on SR 28
0.1 mi·12 sec·West 200 South
27
Enter roundabout onto West 200 South
109 ft·1 sec·West 200 South
28
Continue on West 200 South
3.4 mi·5 min·West 200 South
29
Continue on West Old State Road 28
0.7 mi·1 min·West Old State Road 28
30
Continue on West Jefferson Street
1.5 mi·2 min·West Jefferson Street
31
Continue on SR 28
4.0 mi·6 min·East 150 South
32
Continue on SR 28
3.2 mi·4 min·State Road 28
33
Continue on SR 28
1.5 mi·2 min·East 150 South
34
Continue on SR 28
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
35
Turn right onto SR 13
2.0 mi·3 min·South Anderson Street
36
Turn right onto SR 37; SR 13
2.4 mi·2 min·SR 37; SR 13
37
Turn left onto SR 128
4.0 mi·7 min·800 North
38
At end of road, turn left onto SR 128
0.1 mi·11 sec·Highland Avenue
39
Turn right onto SR 128
0.2 mi·27 sec·West Plum Street
40
Turn left onto SR 128
0.1 mi·13 sec·Center Road
41
Turn right onto SR 128
0.2 mi·16 sec·West Sigler Street
42
Arrive at destination
SR 128
Trip Plan
With a drive time under four hours, you have flexibility in when you depart. Leaving in the morning allows ample time for any unscheduled stops. Given the 163.6-mile distance, you'll likely only need one fuel stop, so plan that around the halfway point or before you leave your starting city. The route's reliance on surface roads means you should be mindful of local speed limits and potential traffic in smaller towns. Keep an eye out for the transition from Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway to West 200 South to ensure you stay on track.
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 81.8 miles from Portage, IN, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.2 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 36 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.8 miles or 1h 33m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Frankton, 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 163.6 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 101.2 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 4 and 110.2 — 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
110.2 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward SR 28: Frankfort, Attica
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 158
Toward SR 28: Frankfort, Attica
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.16 one way
$48.32 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$26.67
$53.34
premium
$4.72
$30.38
$60.75
diesel
$4.80
$30.89
$61.78
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: 57.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.1
0
$17.18
$7.85
Efficient EV
40.9
0
$14.32
$6.54
EV Truck/SUV
65.4
0
$22.90
$10.47
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Portage, IN
Morning
in Portage on Sunday
Local time
6:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Smoke
NE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:16PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:59PM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Frankton, IN
Morning
in Frankton on Sunday
Local time
7:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Patchy Fog
NNW 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:16PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:59PM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
84°F
Lafayette, IN
82 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
3 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
3h 26m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
$20
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is mostly surface roads, with only a 9% highway share. You'll spend most of your time on local roads after the initial stretch. The longest continuous section on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway covers 101.2 miles before you transition to West 200 South and County Road 100 South. Expect a more rural cruising pace for the majority of this drive.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.2 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 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 26 significant decision points across 163.6 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
926 ft564 ft
Total Climb
571 ft
Total Descent
375 ft
Highest Point
926 ft
~128.5 mi in
Elevation Range
362 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Portage, IN and Frankton, IN, road signs point toward Chicago and Attica.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 163.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101.2 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.
Yes — we found about 25 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Frankton, 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. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Indiana Dunes National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Frankton, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
