Origin
Portage, IN
Late night in Portage on Sunday
Local time
4:55 AM
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
1h 51m
Distance
81.8 mi
132 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
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
Warsaw, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Portage, IN to Warsaw, IN is 81.8 miles and takes about 1h 51m via East Morthland Drive and SR 49, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Indiana. Expect a local feel for most of the journey, with a significant portion involving turns rather than consistent highway cruising. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this trip is easily manageable as a same-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your departure time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.9 miles from Portage, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Morthland Drive | 63.7 mi | 1h 21m |
| SR 49 | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| US 6 | 5.9 mi | 9m |
| SR 15 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Airport Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Central Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Center Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Portage, IN and Warsaw, IN.
Start on Central Avenue
Turn right onto Airport Road
Turn left onto US 6
Take the ramp
Merge onto SR 49
Take the exit
Merge onto US 30; SR 2
Take the exit
Turn right onto SR 15
Turn right onto East Center Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is a 1h 51m drive with a fuel cost around $13, you have a lot of flexibility. Aim to leave Portage in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic. You'll want to pay attention to navigation, as the 'turn-heavy' profile means frequent adjustments. While there are no mandatory overnight stops, plan for a brief fuel stop or a quick break if needed, though the drive is short enough to complete without extensive rest. Keep an eye out for changes in speed limits as you transition between different road types.
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.
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 18 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.9 miles or 57m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Warsaw, IN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Portage, IN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Portage, IN
This is one driving day of about 81.8 miles and 1h 51m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 40.9 miles from Portage, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before East Morthland Drive if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.7 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 0 and 81.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Depart onto Central Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Airport Road
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 30 East: Plymouth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn right onto SR 15
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto East Center Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$12.79 one way
$25.58 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.04 | $28.08 |
| premium | $4.89 | $15.74 | $31.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.06 | $36.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.59 | $3.93 |
| Efficient EV | 20.5 | 0 | $7.16 | $3.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.7 | 0 | $11.45 | $5.24 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Portage on Sunday
Local time
4:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Warsaw on Sunday
Local time
5:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
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.
This route offers a turn-heavy local drive experience. With only an 18% highway share, you'll spend most of your time navigating local roads and junctions. The longest stretch without a significant turn is 63.7 miles on East Morthland Drive, offering a period of more consistent travel before you encounter more complex intersections. The road character shifts between quieter local sections and stretches on SR 49 and US 6, requiring your attention to navigation and varying speed limits.
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 early in the drive near Central Avenue.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 51m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (Airport Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 81.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (18%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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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