Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
23m
Distance
12.6 mi
20 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
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
Valparaiso, IN
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking for a quick transit between Portage and Valparaiso, this 12.6-mile trip is an efficient way to navigate the Indiana landscape. Expect a travel time of roughly 23 minutes, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via Airport Road, North State Road 149, and State Road 130 to complete the journey. With fuel costs estimated at just $2, it is a highly economical route that requires zero stops to reach your destination. Because both locations sit within the Midwest, the transition is seamless and familiar. This drive is best viewed as a practical connection rather than a long-haul adventure, ideal for those needing to move between these two Indiana hubs quickly.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North State Road 149 | 4 mi | 5m |
| West Lincolnway | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| US 6 | 2 mi | 3m |
| Airport Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| State Road 130 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Central Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Campbell Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Walnut Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Portage, IN and Valparaiso, IN.
Start on Central Avenue
Turn right onto Airport Road
Turn left onto US 6
Turn right onto SR 149
At end of road, turn left onto State Road 130
Continue on West Lincolnway
Turn left onto Campbell Street
Turn right onto Haas Street
At end of road, turn left onto Napoleon Street
Turn right onto Walnut Street
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 12.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Airport Road
Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn left onto State Road 130
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Campbell Street
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto Napoleon Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Turn right onto Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$1.97 one way
$3.94 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $2.16 | $4.33 |
| premium | $4.89 | $2.42 | $4.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.78 | $5.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.8 | 0 | $1.32 | $0.60 |
| Efficient EV | 3.2 | 0 | $1.10 | $0.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5 | 0 | $1.76 | $0.81 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Morning in Portage on Tuesday
Local time
6:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Morning in Valparaiso on Tuesday
Local time
6:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route contains no highway mileage. You will spend your time navigating local roads that demand your full attention due to the frequent changes in direction. Unlike monotonous highway stretches, this path keeps you engaged with the local infrastructure as you transition between the two towns. Because the entire 12.6-mile distance is comprised of local roads, you should prepare for a more hands-on driving experience. The character of the road remains consistent throughout the 23-minute duration, favoring local accessibility over long, uninterrupted stretches of pavement.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Airport Road.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 23m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Airport Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.4 miles (State Road 130): Navigation decision point; at 12 miles (Campbell Street): Navigation decision point.
Valparaiso is a city of 43,000 people (2019) in Porter County, in Northwestern Indiana. It is home to namesake Valparaiso University. The university is a cultural center of the city, hosting venues such as the Brauer Museum of Art, home to more than 2,700 pieces of 19th- and 20th century American art
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 23m. Total distance: 12.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (16%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads 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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