Origin
Porter, IN
Late night in Porter on Tuesday
Local time
4:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Porter, IN to Terre Haute, IN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 40m
Distance
173.5 mi
279 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 28m
★
6 AM
3h 40m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 49m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 50m
5 PM
4h 4m
8 PM
3h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Porter, IN
David Brtan
Terre Haute, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Porter, IN to Terre Haute, IN is 173.5 miles and takes about 3h 40m via SR 63 and US 41, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Indiana, moving you from the Midwest region of Indiana to the Midwest region of Indiana. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's perfect for a single day of travel. You'll cover 173.5 miles, so while it's manageable in one day, plan for a solid chunk of your day to be spent driving.
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 Porter, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| SR 63 | 63.4 mi | 1h 20m |
| US 41 | 48.9 mi | 1h 3m |
| Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway | 38.5 mi | 42m |
| I 94 | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| State Road 14 | 9.2 mi | 12m |
| US 20 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East Beam Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Wagner Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
SR 63
— 63.4 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Porter, IN and Terre Haute, IN.
1
Start on Franklin Street
396 ft
·
21 sec
·
Franklin Street
2
Turn right onto Wagner Road
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Wagner Road
3
Turn left onto East Beam Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East Beam Street
4
Turn left onto US 20
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 20
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
6
Merge onto I 94
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 12
Toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, Indianapolis
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
Toward I 65 South, I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Indianapolis, Chicago
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 65 South: Indianapolis
Use the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 65
38 mi
·
42 min
·
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 220
Toward SR 14: Winamac
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto SR 14
9.2 mi
·
12 min
·
State Road 14
13
Turn left onto US 41
26 mi
·
32 min
·
US 41
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
22 mi
·
26 min
·
US 41
15
Continue on SR 63
63 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
SR 63
16
Continue on US 41
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
US 41
17
Continue on US 41; US 150
132 ft
·
11 sec
·
North 3rd Street
18
Arrive at destination
US 41; US 150
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 40m duration, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop, you'll want to make it count for fuel and a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 63.4 miles on SR 63, as services might be less frequent. This relatively short drive offers flexibility, so you can adjust your departure time as needed.
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 86.8 miles from Porter, IN, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.4 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 38 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.8 miles or 1h 48m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Terre Haute, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Porter, 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 Porter, IN
This is one driving day of about 173.5 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Porter, 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 SR 63 for about 63.4 miles.
Where to Stop
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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.8 miles from Porter, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before SR 63 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 51.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Wagner Road
Turn right onto Wagner Road
Navigation decision point
8
11.8 mi into trip
|
~17m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12
Toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, Indianapolis
6
12.5 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South, I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Indianapolis, Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 65 South, I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 W...
7
12.6 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 65 South: Indianapolis
7
51.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward SR 14: Winamac
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 220
Toward SR 14: Winamac
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.12 one way
$54.25 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.78 | $59.56 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.39 | $66.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.31 | $76.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
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 | $18.22 | $8.33 |
| Efficient EV | 43.4 | 0 | $15.18 | $6.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.4 | 0 | $24.29 | $11.10 |
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Terre Haute, IN
Late night in Terre Haute on Tuesday
Local time
5:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
NW 12 mph
23% chance
Live forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 18 at 4:46AM CDT until April 23 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 18 at 4:46AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
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
1 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 40m on the road
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.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
$20
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Park Closure: Mount Baldy Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route leans heavily into highway driving, with 71% of the journey on major roads. Expect a focused drive with stretches where you'll be cruising along without many interruptions. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 63.4 miles on SR 63. While primarily highway, be prepared for the character of the road to shift as you progress through Indiana. It's a practical route designed for efficient travel.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.4 mi on SR 63.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on SR 63 and US 41. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Wagner Road.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 173.5 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 0.1 miles (Wagner Road): Navigation decision point; at 11.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Porter, IN and Terre Haute, IN, road signs point toward Indianapolis and Chicago.
Indianapolis
11.8 mi in
|
~17m
Chicago
12.5 mi in
|
~18m
About the Cities
Starting in Porter, IN
Full guide →Porter is an old railroad town just south of the Indiana Dunes National Park in Northwestern Indiana.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 173.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.4 miles on SR 63. 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 Terre Haute, 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 0.1 miles (Wagner Road): Navigation decision point; at 11.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Indiana Dunes National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Terre Haute, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
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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