Origin
Portage, IN
Afternoon in Portage on Sunday
Local time
3:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 50m
Distance
173.6 mi
279 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Portage, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Seelyville, IN
Tom Fisk
Portage, IN to Seelyville, IN is 173.6 miles and takes about 3h 50m via Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway and US 52, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Indiana, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a single-day journey that offers a straightforward drive, largely sticking to major highways. If you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss, this is a solid option. Consider it for a quick hop between locations when you want to get there efficiently.
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
86.8 miles from Portage, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway | 80.8 mi | 1h 27m |
| US 52 | 27 mi | 40m |
| SR 59 | 25.7 mi | 38m |
| West South Boulevard | 13.2 mi | 19m |
| US 40 | 7.2 mi | 10m |
| North River Road | 5.8 mi | 10m |
| I 80 | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Main Street | 2.7 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Portage, IN and Seelyville, IN.
Start on Central Avenue
Turn right onto Willowcreek Road
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 80; I 90
Take the exit onto I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto North River Road
Enter roundabout onto South River Road
Continue on South River Road
Turn left onto US 52; US 231
Turn right onto SR 32; SR 47
Turn left onto SR 59
Turn right onto SR 59
At end of road, turn right onto SR 59; SR 236
Turn left onto SR 59
Turn right onto US 40
Keep slight left at fork onto US 40
Turn left onto North Main Street
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 50 minutes, this is easily a one-day trip. You can depart anytime in the morning and still arrive with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have a lot of flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before you hit the longest stretch on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, as refueling opportunities might be less frequent there. Since it's a single-day drive, you won't need overnight accommodations, making spontaneous departures feasible.
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.
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 38 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.8 miles or 1h 38m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Seelyville, IN than in the middle of the route.
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 173.6 miles and 3h 50m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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.
A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 86.8 miles from Portage, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 4 and 89.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
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
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
Take the exit toward SR 43: Brookston, West Lafayette
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$27.14 one way
$54.28 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.80 | $59.60 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.41 | $66.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.33 | $76.66 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$27
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.1 | 0 | $18.23 | $8.33 |
| Efficient EV | 43.4 | 0 | $15.19 | $6.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.4 | 0 | $24.30 | $11.11 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Portage on Sunday
Local time
3:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Seelyville on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
53°F
Shadeland, IN
87 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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This route offers a mixed drive, with 37% of it on highways. You'll experience a good portion of your journey on the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 80.8 miles. As you travel, the road will transition, moving from broader highways to routes like US 52 and SR 59. Expect a blend of faster-paced driving and more localized road conditions as you make your way south. The drive is generally uncomplicated, allowing you to maintain a steady pace.
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.
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 23 significant decision points across 173.6 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Portage, IN and Seelyville, IN, road signs point toward Lafayette, Indiana Veterans Home, Purdue University, Va Clinic, Tippecanoe and Battlefield - among others.
Lafayette
Indiana Veterans Home
Purdue University
Va Clinic
Tippecanoe
Battlefield
Prophetstown State Park
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 50m. Total distance: 173.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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