Portage, IN to Knightstown, IN is 192.7 miles and takes about 3h 39m via Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway and Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Indiana, traversing the Midwest region. The route primarily uses surface roads, offering a more grounded travel experience compared to extensive highway driving. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a manageable drive for those looking for a straightforward connection between these two points.
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
96.4 miles from Portage, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
130 mi
2h 21m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
25.4 mi
27m
I 465
12.5 mi
14m
I 69
5.7 mi
6m
I 865
5.1 mi
6m
I 80
3.7 mi
5m
McCullum
3.1 mi
4m
Indiana Toll Road
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
— 130 mi, about 2h 21m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 42 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 Knightstown, 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
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
13 mi·14 min·I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 69; I 465
5.7 mi·6 min·I 69; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 44Toward I 70: Dayton, IndianapolisUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
143 ft·2 sec
Toward I 70: Dayton, Indianapolis
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 70 East: DaytonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 70
25 mi·27 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Exit 115Toward SR 109: Wilkinson, Knightstown
22
Turn right onto SR 109
3.1 mi·4 min·McCullum
23
Continue on SR 109
0.5 mi·48 sec·North McCullum Street
24
Turn left onto US 40
0.3 mi·35 sec·West Main Street
25
Turn left onto Jefferson Street
72 ft·3 sec·Jefferson Street
26
Arrive at destination
Jefferson Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip covering 192.7 miles and taking under four hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour traffic and arrive in Knightstown with plenty of afternoon daylight. Plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as the longest stretch on surface roads is quite substantial, and it's always wise to top off before heading into a longer segment. The estimated fuel cost is around $30, so factor that into your budget.
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 96.4 miles from Portage, IN, or about 1h 49m 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 42 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.4 miles or 1h 49m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Knightstown, 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 192.7 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 4 and 162.2 — 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
162.2 mi into trip|~3h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Dayton, 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 44
Toward I 70: Dayton, Indianapolis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.04 one way
$64.08 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$34.90
$69.80
premium
$5.18
$39.32
$78.64
diesel
$5.35
$40.59
$81.18
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
$32
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.8
0
$20.23
$9.25
Efficient EV
48.2
0
$16.86
$7.71
EV Truck/SUV
77.1
0
$26.98
$12.33
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
23 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Portage, IN
Evening
in Portage on Wednesday
Local time
5:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Isolated Rain Showers
NNE 0 to 10 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 11:01AM EDT until June 2 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 11:01AM EDT until June 3 at 12:48PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Destination
Knightstown, IN
Evening
in Knightstown on Wednesday
Local time
6:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Cloudy
ENE 2 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 11:01AM EDT until June 2 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 11:01AM EDT until June 3 at 12:48PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
67°F
Ray, IN
96 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
6 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
3h 39m 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 drive is mostly surface roads, with only 14% of the trip on highways like I 465. You'll experience a significant 130-mile stretch on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, which is primarily surface road driving. Expect frequent intersections and changes in speed limits as you navigate through towns and rural areas. The transition from highway to surface roads will be noticeable, marking a shift in the driving rhythm.
Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 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 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 22 significant decision points across 192.7 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
933 ft636 ft
Total Climb
555 ft
Total Descent
259 ft
Highest Point
933 ft
~137.7 mi in
Elevation Range
297 ft
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 Knightstown, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Indianapolis along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 39m. Total distance: 192.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 39m 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.
Yes — we found about 35 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 Knightstown, 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 35 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 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Knightstown, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
