Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
54m
Distance
34.5 mi
55 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
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
Wheatfield, IN
Meriç Tuna
This 34.5-mile drive from Portage, Indiana to Wheatfield, Indiana is a quick trip, easily completed in about 54 minutes. It's an ideal one-day excursion, perfect for a short getaway within the Midwest. The journey relies heavily on major roads, with 90% of the drive being on highways, making for an efficient commute. With an estimated fuel cost of just $5, this route is very budget-friendly. You won't need to plan for overnight stays, and since there are no planned stops, you can set off whenever it's most convenient.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| SR 49 | 25.2 mi | 36m |
| US 6 | 5.9 mi | 9m |
| Airport Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Central Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Grove Street | 0.5 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Portage, IN and Wheatfield, IN.
Start on Central Avenue
Turn right onto Airport Road
Turn left onto US 6
Take the ramp
Merge onto SR 49
Turn right onto Grove Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 34.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 17.2 miles from Portage, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 33.9 — 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 ramp toward SR 49 South: Valparaiso
Navigation decision point
Merge onto SR 49
Merge point - match speed before joining
Turn right onto Grove Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$5.39 one way
$10.79 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $5.92 | $11.84 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.64 | $13.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.62 | $15.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.62 | $1.66 |
| Efficient EV | 8.6 | 0 | $3.02 | $1.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.83 | $2.21 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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
Late night in Portage on Sunday
Local time
2:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Late night in Wheatfield on Sunday
Local time
2:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
50°F
Valparaiso, IN
17 mi in
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 highway-focused experience on this route, covering 90% of the journey on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 25.2 miles along SR 49, offering a sustained period of driving. The primary roads guiding you are SR 49, US 6, and Airport Road. Given the profile, this drive is likely to be straightforward and efficient, with minimal delays or complex intersections.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on SR 49 and US 6. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Central Avenue.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Portage, IN to Wheatfield, IN is easy. At 54m with 90% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 8.3 miles: Navigation decision point.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 54m. Total distance: 34.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Straightforward navigation.
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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