This 124.6-mile journey from Portage to Pike, Indiana, is a manageable one-day trip, taking about 2 hours and 21 minutes to complete. You'll primarily be on the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway and I-80 via the Indiana Toll Road, with a significant portion of your drive occurring on the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $19. Given its relatively short duration and the fact that it stays within the Midwest region of Indiana, it's perfectly suited for a single day's travel without the need for an overnight stop. The overall feel is a local drive with plenty of turns.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
62.3 miles from Portage, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
113.2 mi
2h 3m
I 80
3.7 mi
5m
Indiana Toll Road
2.6 mi
3m
IN-47
2 mi
3m
Willowcreek Road
0.6 mi
1m
Central Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
SR 39
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
— 113.2 mi, about 2h 3m
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 Pike, 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
113 mi·2 hr 3 min·Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 146Toward SR 47: Sheridan, Thorntown
15
Turn left onto SR 47
2.0 mi·3 min·IN-47
16
Turn right onto SR 39
0.1 mi·11 sec·SR 39
17
Arrive at destination
SR 39
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over two hours, this route offers flexibility for departure. Consider leaving early to maximize your day or departing mid-morning to avoid any potential rush hour traffic near Portage. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan your own breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 113.2-mile stretch on the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, as services might be less frequent. The $19 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra for peace of mind.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 62.3 miles from Portage, IN, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.2 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 27 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.3 miles or 1h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pike, 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 124.6 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Portage, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway for about 113.2 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 14
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
$20.72 one way
$41.43 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$22.57
$45.13
premium
$5.18
$25.43
$50.85
diesel
$5.35
$26.24
$52.49
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
$21
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.4
0
$13.08
$5.98
Efficient EV
31.2
0
$10.90
$4.98
EV Truck/SUV
49.8
0
$17.44
$7.97
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 May 30, 2026
Origin
Portage, IN
Afternoon
in Portage on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 29 at 10:33PM EDT until May 30 at 4:00PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 29 at 10:33PM EDT until May 31 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Destination
Pike, IN
Afternoon
in Pike on Wednesday
Local time
4:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Partly Cloudy
E 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 29 at 10:33PM EDT until May 30 at 4:00PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 29 at 10:33PM EDT until May 31 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
64°F
Hebron, IN
62 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
1 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 21m 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?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 124.6-mile route. While the Indiana Toll Road (I-80) offers some faster stretches, a substantial 113.2 miles will be spent on the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. This suggests a route with frequent changes in direction and potentially varied road conditions as you transition between major highways and local thoroughfares. The highway share is only 5%, indicating that the majority of your time will be on less direct, more winding roads, offering a more intimate experience of the Indiana landscape.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.2 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 14 significant decision points across 124.6 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
917 ft626 ft
Total Climb
429 ft
Total Descent
148 ft
Highest Point
917 ft
~124.6 mi in
Elevation Range
291 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 Pike, IN, road signs point toward Indianapolis and Chicago.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 124.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.2 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 26 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 Pike, 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. There are 26 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Pike, IN before heading back.
