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Trip from Portage, IN to Redkey, IN

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

Drive Time

3h 55m

Distance

183.2 mi

295 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 43m ★
6 AM
3h 56m
8 AM
4h 21m
10 AM
4h 5m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 6m
5 PM
4h 20m
8 PM
3h 48m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Porter County, Indiana, United States

Portage, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Redkey, IN, IN

Redkey, IN

Szabó Viktor

Trip Overview

Portage, IN to Redkey, IN is 183.2 miles and takes about 3h 55m via East Morthland Drive, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, moving from one Indiana locale to another. Expect a route that's more about navigating local roads than cruising on major highways, making it a bit more involved than a simple point-to-point drive. It's a good option if you're looking for a straightforward, single-day journey without extensive highway time, perfect for a relaxed drive.

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

91.6 miles from Portage, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
East Morthland Drive 101.8 mi 2h 12m
Lafayette Street 31.5 mi 36m
South Harrison Street 15.1 mi 17m
West Votaw Street 11.4 mi 13m
SR 49 6.8 mi 9m
US 6 5.9 mi 9m
N Clinton Street 3 mi 4m
Airport Road 1.7 mi 3m
Longest stretch: East Morthland Drive — 101.8 mi, about 2h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Portage, IN and Redkey, 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

102 mi · 2 hr 12 min · East Morthland Drive
Use the straight lane.
8

Continue on SR 930

0.4 mi · 30 sec · SR 930
9

Turn left onto SR 930

1.7 mi · 2 min · West Coliseum Boulevard
Use the left lane.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto US 27

1.1 mi · 1 min · Lima Road
Use the right lane.
11

Continue on US 27

1.2 mi · 1 min · North Clinton Street
12

Continue on US 27

3.0 mi · 4 min · N Clinton Street
Use the straight lane.
13

Merge onto US 27

31 mi · 36 min · Lafayette Street
Use the left lane.
14

Continue on US 27

15 mi · 17 min · South Harrison Street
15

Turn right onto SR 26; SR 67

11 mi · 13 min · West Votaw Street
16

Turn left onto SR 1

0.4 mi · 38 sec · North Meridian Street
17

Arrive at destination

SR 1

Trip Plan

Given the 3h 55m duration, this is comfortably a one-day trip, so feel free to depart whenever you're ready. The route involves 1 planned stop and a total of 183.2 miles, so you can easily break it up if you prefer a more leisurely pace. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longer stretches on local roads where service stations might be less frequent. A practical tip for this specific drive: be mindful of the numerous turns indicated by the 'turn-heavy' profile; confirm your GPS is set to avoid toll roads and be ready to adjust your route if you encounter unexpected local detours.

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 91.6 miles from Portage, IN, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.8 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 40 miles or 57m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 91.6 miles or 2h 4m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 17m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Redkey, 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 183.2 miles and 3h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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 East Morthland Drive for about 101.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Roanoke, IN, IN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Roanoke, IN

92 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

North Judson, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

North Webster, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 91.6 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 East Morthland Drive if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 124.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
5
15.8 mi into trip | ~25m in | US 30; SR 2 / East Morthland Drive

Merge onto US 30; SR 2 / East Morthland Drive

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
119.7 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in | US 27 / Lima Road

Keep slight right at fork onto US 27 / Lima Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
124.9 mi into trip | ~2h 47m in | US 27 / Lafayette Street

Merge onto US 27 / Lafayette Street

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.64 one way

$57.28 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $31.45 $62.89
premium $4.89 $35.26 $70.51
diesel $5.61 $40.45 $80.90

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 64.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 55 0 $19.24 $8.79
Efficient EV 45.8 0 $16.03 $7.33
EV Truck/SUV 73.3 0 $25.65 $11.72

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

21 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Portage, IN

Night in Portage on Saturday

Local time

9:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Redkey, IN

Night in Redkey on Saturday

Local time

10:46 PM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

50°F

Roanoke, IN

92 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 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 55m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is characterized by its frequent turns, earning it a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. With only a 7% share of highway driving, you'll spend most of your time on surface streets and county roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 101.8 miles along East Morthland Drive, offering a solid segment of continuous travel before you need to navigate more intersections. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires your attention as you weave through various local thoroughfares.

Only 7% 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: 101.8 mi on East Morthland Drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Airport Road.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 183.2 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: at 0.6 miles (Airport Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 15.8 miles (US 30; SR 2 / East Morthland Drive): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 183.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 101.8 miles on East Morthland Drive. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Redkey, 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 0.6 miles (Airport Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 15.8 miles (US 30; SR 2 / East Morthland Drive): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Redkey, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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