Portage, IN to Greentown, IN is 126.6 miles and takes about 2h 48m via US 31, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, single-day trip that keeps you within the Midwest region, specifically Indiana for its entirety. Expect a mixed drive that balances highway speeds with some local road navigation. Given the relatively short distance and manageable duration, this route is ideal for a focused drive with minimal overnight planning required. It's a practical option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently within the state.
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
63.3 miles from Portage, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 31
63.1 mi
1h 18m
East Morthland Drive
40.3 mi
52m
SR 49
6.8 mi
9m
US 6
5.9 mi
9m
County Road East 00 North South
4.7 mi
6m
Airport Road
1.7 mi
3m
East County Road 00 North South
1.2 mi
2m
Central Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 31
— 63.1 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portage, IN and Greentown, IN.
1
Start on Central Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Central Avenue
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn right onto Airport Road
1.7 mi·3 min·Airport Road
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto US 6
5.9 mi·9 min·US 6
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward SR 49 South: Valparaiso
5
Merge onto SR 49
6.8 mi·9 min·SR 49
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward US 30 East: Plymouth
7
Merge onto US 30; SR 2
40 mi·52 min·East Morthland Drive
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 31 South
9
Merge onto US 31
4.1 mi·5 min·US 31
10
Merge onto US 31
0.9 mi·1 min·US 31
11
Turn slight right
512 ft·6 sec
12
Continue on US 31
58 mi·1 hr 12 min·US 31
13
Take the exit onto US 35
0.5 mi·1 min·US 35
Toward US 35 South, SR 22: Kokomo, Gas City
14
Turn left onto US 35; SR 22
1.2 mi·2 min·East County Road 00 North South
15
Continue on US 35; SR 22
4.7 mi·6 min·County Road East 00 North South
16
Continue on US 35; SR 19; SR 22
0.4 mi·45 sec·West Main Street
17
Turn left onto North Meridian Street
48 ft·1 sec·North Meridian Street
18
Arrive at destination
North Meridian Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under 3 hours, this trip is easily accomplished in a single day, offering plenty of flexibility for your departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and arrive with ample daylight. The fuel cost is estimated at $20, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before you depart Portage, IN, as the longest stretch without significant town services could be the 63.1 miles on US 31. While only one planned stop is indicated, keep an eye out for convenient rest areas or small towns along US 31 if you need a break.
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 63.3 miles from Portage, IN, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.1 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 28 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.3 miles or 1h 27m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Greentown, 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 126.6 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 US 31 for about 63.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 119.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Central Avenue
Depart onto Central Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|Airport Road
Turn right onto Airport Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
4
15.5 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward US 30 East: Plymouth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 30 East: Plymouth
4
56.1 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward US 31 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 31 South
5
119.8 mi into trip|~2h 37m in|US 35
Take the exit onto US 35 toward US 35 South, SR 22: Kokomo, Gas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 35 South, SR 22: Kokomo, Gas City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.79 one way
$39.58 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$21.73
$43.46
premium
$4.89
$24.36
$48.73
diesel
$5.61
$27.95
$55.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38
0
$13.29
$6.08
Efficient EV
31.7
0
$11.08
$5.06
EV Truck/SUV
50.6
0
$17.72
$8.10
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Portage, IN
Late night
in Portage on Tuesday
Local time
4:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Sunny
S 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 20 at 3:27PM EDT until April 26 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 20 at 11:49AM EDT until April 23 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Greentown, IN
Late night
in Greentown on Tuesday
Local time
5:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Sunny
SW 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 20 at 3:27PM EDT until April 26 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 20 at 11:49AM EDT until April 23 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
67°F
Culver, IN
63 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
2 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 48m 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 126.6-mile journey offers a mixed drive experience, with about 60% of the route utilizing highway segments. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on US 31, which forms the backbone of this trip and includes the longest uninterrupted stretch of 63.1 miles. While there are stretches of faster driving, you'll also encounter sections on East Morthland Drive and SR 49 that may feel more like local roads. The drive gradually transitions, offering a blend of open highway travel and more community-focused stretches as you approach your destination.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.1 mi on US 31.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Central Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
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 126.6 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (Airport Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 Greentown, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Gas City along the way.
Gas City
119.8 mi in|~2h 37m|via US 35
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 126.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.1 miles on US 31. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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.
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 (Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (Airport Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 Greentown, IN before heading back.
