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Trip from Portage, IN to Oakland City, IN

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

Drive Time

5h 27m

Distance

292.5 mi

471 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

29 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 15m ★
6 AM
5h 28m
8 AM
5h 55m
10 AM
5h 37m
12 PM
5h 35m
3 PM
5h 39m
5 PM
5h 53m
8 PM
5h 20m

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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city in Porter County, Indiana, United States

Portage, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Oakland City, IN, IN

Oakland City, IN

Robert So

Trip Overview

The drive from Portage, IN to Oakland City, IN covers 292.5 miles and takes about 5h 27m 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 69, I 465 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 130 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.73 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

146.3 miles from Portage, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway 130 mi 2h 21m
I 69 128.6 mi 2h 20m
I 465 13.7 mi 15m
I 65 5.9 mi 6m
I 80 3.7 mi 5m
SR 64 3 mi 4m
Indiana Toll Road 2.6 mi 3m
Willowcreek Road 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 Oakland City, 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 left at fork onto I 65

5.9 mi · 6 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 123 Toward I 465 South
16

Continue on this road

0.6 mi · 1 min · this road
Exit 123 Toward I 465 South
17

Merge onto I 465

14 mi · 15 min · I 465
18

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 5 Toward I 69 South: Evansville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on I 69

47 mi · 53 min · I 69
Use the straight lane.
20

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69

81 mi · 1 hr 26 min · I 69
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
21

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 42 sec
Exit 33 Toward SR 64: Princeton, Oakland City, Huntingburg
22

Turn left onto SR 64

3.0 mi · 4 min · SR 64
23

Turn left onto SR 357

0.4 mi · 37 sec · South Main Street
24

Arrive at destination

SR 357

Trip Plan

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 146.3 miles from Portage, IN, or about 2h 44m 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 64 miles or 1h 13m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 146.3 miles or 2h 44m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oakland City, 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 292.5 miles and 5h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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.

person who operates a mill

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Miller, IN

146 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

Orland Park, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Indianapolis, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 146.3 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

Chapati

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Indianapolis, Indiana

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 146.3

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13174059874

Visit website

FLUID Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crown Point, Indiana

2.2 mi

Mr Gyro's

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Indianapolis, Indiana

2.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Kaffa Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crown Point, Indiana

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 20.9

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+12192132613

Visit website

Sip Coffee House & Artisan Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crown Point, Indiana

2.7 mi

Cafe Fresco

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crown Point, Indiana

2.7 mi

Chapati

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 146.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13174059874

Visit website

FLUID Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 20.9

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12192132044

Visit website

Mr Gyro's

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 146.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+13173889788

Visit website

Al-Rayan restaurant

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 146.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+13179867554

Visit website

Cloverleaf South Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 209

Bloomington, Indiana

Hours: 5 am–3 pm

+18126501017

Visit website

Hardee's

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv mile 146.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13172919270

Visit website

3 Agaves Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 146.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13177572620

Visit website

King Gyros Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 209

Bloomington, Indiana

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+18123344144

Visit website

Kaffa Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 20.9

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+12192132613

Visit website

Sip Coffee House & Artisan Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 20.9

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12196629165

Visit website

Cafe Fresco

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 20.9

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12193108078

Visit website

Smalltown Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 20.9

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12193233948

Visit website

Founders Grounds Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 146.3

Speedway, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+13179815358

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 209

Bloomington, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 209

Bloomington, Indiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVBOLT Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 209

Bloomington, Indiana

+18665212658

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 4 and 8.4 — 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
7
8.4 mi into trip | ~13m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Indianapolis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 65 South: Indianapolis

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.73 one way

$91.46 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 102 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $50.21 $100.42
premium $4.89 $56.29 $112.58
diesel $5.61 $64.58 $129.16

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

$46

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 102.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

29 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Lafayette - Tesla Supercharger

Lafayette, IN

Tesla

24 DCFC

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Merrillville, IN

Tesla

22 DCFC

The Amp at 16 Tech - Tesla Supercharger

Indianapolis, IN

Tesla

16 DCFC

Fair Oaks Farms (North) - Tesla Supercharger

Fair Oaks, IN

Tesla

12 DCFC

Fair Oaks Farms - Tesla Supercharger

Fair Oaks, IN

Tesla

12 DCFC

Lebanon Crossing - Tesla Supercharger

Lebanon, IN

Tesla

11 DCFC

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Zionsville, IN

Tesla

10 DCFC

John T. McCutcheon Travel Plaza - Tesla Supercharger

Portage, IN

Tesla

8 DCFC

Tesla: 10 ChargePoint Network: 7 RED_E: 4 EV Connect: 2 FORD_CHARGE: 2 eVgo Network: 2 Blink Network: 1 Electrify America: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 87.8 1 $30.71 $14.04
Efficient EV 73.1 0 $25.59 $11.70
EV Truck/SUV 117 1 $40.95 $18.72

Gas CO2

102 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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

Morning in Portage on Sunday

Local time

9:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Oakland City, IN

Morning in Oakland City on Sunday

Local time

9:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

56°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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

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

5h 27m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park

National Historical Park

The British flag would not be raised above Fort Sackville Feb. 25, 1779. At 10 A.M., the garrison surrendered to American Colonel George Rogers Clark. His American army, aided by French residents of t...

20 mi from route ~50 min detour Free near mile 272.4
View on nps.gov
Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

National Memorial

Abraham Lincoln grew from youth to manhood on this southern Indiana soil. Many character and moral traits of one of the world's most respected leaders was formed and nurtured here. Explore Lincoln's b...

24 mi from route ~61 min detour Free near mile 292.5
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

292.5 mi in 5h 27m — 53% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway.

53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
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?

9/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 9/10

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 18 significant decision points across 292.5 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.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 292.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface 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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Oakland City, 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Oakland City, IN before the return drive.

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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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