This 202.4-mile drive from Redkey, Indiana, to Gary, Indiana, will take approximately 3 hours and 42 minutes to complete. Designed as a single-day trip, it's a straightforward journey through the Midwest region of Indiana. With an estimated fuel cost of $31, this route is budget-friendly for a day excursion. The drive primarily utilizes local roads, indicated by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, suggesting a more engaged driving experience compared to highway cruising. Expect one designated stop along the way, making it an efficient option for getting from point A to point B.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
94.7 miles from Redkey, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
100.6 mi
1h 49m
SR 67
11 mi
12m
East County Road 600 North
10 mi
14m
East 600 North
10 mi
14m
West 200 South
9.9 mi
14m
County Road 100 South
7.8 mi
11m
Walnut Avenue
7.3 mi
10m
1200 North
6.1 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 100.6 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Redkey, IN and Gary, IN.
1
Start on SR 1
0.4 mi·44 sec·South Meridian Street
2
Turn left onto SR 67
11 mi·12 min·SR 67
3
Turn right onto SR 28
2.7 mi·4 min·East County Road 600 North
4
Continue on US 35; SR 28
10.0 mi·14 min·East 600 North
5
Continue on US 35; SR 28
7.3 mi·10 min·East County Road 600 North
6
Continue on SR 28
6.1 mi·9 min·1200 North
7
Continue on SR 28
2.7 mi·4 min·Main Street
8
Continue on SR 28
1.5 mi·2 min·East 150 South
9
Continue on SR 28
3.2 mi·4 min·State Road 28
10
Continue on SR 28
4.0 mi·6 min·East 150 South
11
Continue on SR 28
1.5 mi·2 min·East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on West Old State Road 28
0.7 mi·1 min·West Old State Road 28
13
Continue on West 200 South
3.4 mi·5 min·West 200 South
14
Enter roundabout onto West 200 South
93 ft·1 sec·West 200 South
15
Continue on West 200 South
0.1 mi·12 sec·West 200 South
16
Enter roundabout onto SR 28
136 ft·2 sec·West 200 South
17
Continue on SR 28
0.1 mi·13 sec·West 200 South
18
Enter roundabout onto SR 28
160 ft·2 sec·West 200 South
19
Continue on SR 28
6.1 mi·9 min·West 200 South
20
Continue on SR 28
7.8 mi·11 min·County Road 100 South
21
At end of road, turn right onto US 421; SR 28
0.5 mi·50 sec·US 421; SR 28
22
Turn left onto US 421; SR 28
2.0 mi·2 min·East County Road 50 South
23
Continue on US 421; SR 28
3.4 mi·5 min·East Wabash Street
24
Turn slight right
215 ft·4 sec
25
Turn slight right onto US 421; SR 28
179 ft·8 sec·South Hoke Avenue
26
Turn left onto US 421; SR 28
1.3 mi·1 min·East Walnut Street
27
Turn straight onto SR 28
7.3 mi·10 min·Walnut Avenue
28
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
29
Merge onto I 65
101 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
1.4 mi·2 min
Exit 259AToward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
31
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6
1.4 mi·1 min·Borman Expressway
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 9Toward Grant StreetUse the slight right lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork
336 ft·9 sec
Use the right lane.
34
Turn straight onto Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
1.2 mi·1 min·Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
35
Turn right onto West 15th Avenue
0.5 mi·56 sec·West 15th Avenue
36
Turn left onto Harrison Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Harrison Boulevard
37
Turn right onto 10th Place
254 ft·11 sec·10th Place
38
Arrive at destination
10th Place
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 42-minute duration, this 202.4-mile trip is perfectly suited for a single day. To make the most of the local road experience, consider leaving Redkey in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic or delays on the numerous local roads you'll be using. With only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically to refuel or stretch your legs. Keep an eye out for the various numbered county roads mentioned in the route data, as these will be your primary navigational cues for this turn-heavy drive.
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 94.7 miles from Redkey, IN, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.6 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 42 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.7 miles or 2h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gary, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Redkey, 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 Redkey, IN
This is one driving day of about 189.3 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Redkey, 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 I 65 for about 100.6 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 54.5 and 187.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
54.5 mi into trip|~1h 17m in|SR 28 / West 200 South
Enter roundabout onto SR 28 / West 200 South
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
54.7 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|SR 28 / West 200 South
Enter roundabout onto SR 28 / West 200 South
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
184 mi into trip|~3h 51m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
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 259A
Toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
7
186.9 mi into trip|~3h 56m in
Take the exit toward Grant Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9
Toward Grant Street
6
187.2 mi into trip|~3h 57m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.59 one way
$59.19 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$32.49
$64.99
premium
$4.89
$36.43
$72.86
diesel
$5.61
$41.80
$83.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.8
0
$19.88
$9.09
Efficient EV
47.3
0
$16.56
$7.57
EV Truck/SUV
75.7
0
$26.50
$12.12
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Redkey, IN
Late night
in Redkey on Sunday
Local time
1:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gary, IN
Late night
in Gary on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Mulberry, IN
95 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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
11 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
4h 1m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$20
near mile 182.8
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 a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll be navigating a series of local roads rather than major highways. With a 0% highway share, prepare for a more intimate connection with the landscape and community as you traverse East County Road 600 North and East 600 North, among others. The absence of a longest uninterrupted stretch suggests frequent turns and intersections, requiring your attention throughout the 202.4 miles. This isn't a route for setting cruise control; it's about actively engaging with the road as you make your way across Indiana.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.6 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 54.5 miles in near SR 28 / West 200 South.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 189.3 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 54.5 miles (SR 28 / West 200 South): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 54.7 miles (SR 28 / West 200 South): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 184 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 1m. Total distance: 189.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 100.6 miles on I 65. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 54.5 miles (SR 28 / West 200 South): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 54.7 miles (SR 28 / West 200 South): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 184 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Gary, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
