Portage, IN to Woodburn, IN is 136.3 miles and takes about 3h 11m via East Morthland Drive, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Indiana, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a local driving experience with many turns, rather than a straightforward highway cruise. With a short duration and manageable distance, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, offering a practical way to get from point A to point B without significant time commitment.
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
68.1 miles from Portage, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East Morthland Drive
101.8 mi
2h 12m
Stellhorn Road
7.1 mi
12m
SR 49
6.8 mi
9m
US 6
5.9 mi
9m
West Coliseum Boulevard
3.9 mi
5m
Woodburn Road
3.4 mi
8m
Airport Road
1.7 mi
3m
Rohman Road
1.3 mi
2m
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 Woodburn, 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 left at fork onto SR 930
2.2 mi·2 min·West Coliseum Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto Crescent Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Crescent Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on Stellhorn Road
7.1 mi·12 min·Stellhorn Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Continue on Rohman Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Rohman Road
14
Continue on Platter Road
0.5 mi·52 sec·Platter Road
15
Continue on Thimlar Road
447 ft·10 sec·Thimlar Road
16
Turn right onto Platter Road
0.5 mi·48 sec·Platter Road
17
Turn straight onto Webster Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Webster Road
18
Turn left onto Woodburn Road
3.4 mi·8 min·Woodburn Road
19
At end of road, turn left onto SR 101
0.3 mi·33 sec·Main Street
20
Turn left onto Center Street
108 ft·7 sec·Center Street
21
Turn left
10 ft·0 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 11m estimated drive time, leaving Portage, IN in the morning will allow ample time to reach Woodburn, IN well before evening. The $21 fuel budget is quite modest, so ensure your tank is full before departing to minimize mid-trip stops. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short distance, you have the flexibility to take breaks as needed. Pay close attention to signage, especially as you transition between East Morthland Drive and SR 49, to ensure you stay on the most direct path.
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 68.1 miles from Portage, IN, or about 1h 33m 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 30 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.1 miles or 1h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Woodburn, 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 136.3 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 119.7 — 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.
4
118 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|SR 930 / West Coliseum Boulevard
Turn left onto SR 930 / West Coliseum Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
119.7 mi into trip|~2h 40m in|SR 930 / West Coliseum Boulevard
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 930 / West Coliseum Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.31 one way
$42.62 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.40
$46.79
premium
$4.89
$26.23
$52.46
diesel
$5.61
$30.09
$60.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.9
0
$14.31
$6.54
Efficient EV
34.1
0
$11.93
$5.45
EV Truck/SUV
54.5
0
$19.08
$8.72
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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
11:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Woodburn, IN
Late night
in Woodburn on Sunday
Local time
12:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Warsaw, IN
68 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
22 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 11m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Indiana Dunes National Park
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
$20
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as 'turn-heavy,' meaning you'll be navigating numerous intersections and local roads. Only about 10% of this 136.3-mile journey is on highways, with the bulk of the drive taking place on local streets. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 101.8 miles on East Morthland Drive, suggesting a significant portion of the drive follows this particular road before transitioning. Be prepared for a more engaged driving experience with frequent adjustments in direction.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 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?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Airport Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 136.3 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 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 11m. Total distance: 136.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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 Woodburn, 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.
Yes — Indiana Dunes National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Woodburn, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
