Origin
Saint Paul, IN
Late night in Saint Paul on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Paul, IN to Gary, IN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 41m
Distance
190.5 mi
307 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 29m
★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 7m
10 AM
3h 50m
12 PM
3h 48m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 6m
8 PM
3h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Paul, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Gary, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 190.5-mile drive from Saint Paul, Indiana, to Gary, Indiana, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 41 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $30, it's an economical journey through the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes major highways, making it a straightforward drive for those looking to cover ground efficiently. You'll spend about 93% of your time on highways, so expect a consistent pace. This Indiana-to-Indiana route offers a practical way to travel between these two points without needing an overnight stop.
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
95.2 miles from Saint Paul, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 146.3 mi | 2h 42m |
| I 74 | 28.9 mi | 31m |
| Southeastern Avenue | 5 mi | 7m |
| Borman Expressway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| North County Road 800 West | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| West 15th Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Harrison Boulevard | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 146.3 mi, about 2h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paul, IN and Gary, IN.
1
Start on this road
132 ft
·
15 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto East Franklin Street
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
East Franklin Street
3
Turn right onto County Line Road
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
County Line Road
4
Continue on North County Road 800 West;South 800 East
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North County Road 800 West;South 800 East
5
Continue on South 800 East;North 750 West
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
South 800 East;North 750 West
6
Continue on South 800 East;South 1000 West
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
South 800 East;South 1000 West
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 74 West, US 421 North: Indianapolis
8
Merge onto I 74; US 421
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 74; US 421
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on this road
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Exit 94
Toward Southeastern Avenue
10
Continue on Southeastern Avenue
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Southeastern Avenue
11
Enter roundabout onto Southeastern Avenue
106 ft
·
5 sec
·
Southeastern Avenue
12
Continue on Southeastern Avenue
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeastern Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
13
Continue on Cruse Street
422 ft
·
14 sec
·
Cruse Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
14
Turn right onto East Market Street
364 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Market Street
15
Turn left onto Dickson Street
526 ft
·
20 sec
·
Dickson Street
16
Turn left onto East Ohio Street
129 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Ohio Street
17
Turn right onto Dickson Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Dickson Street
18
Turn left onto East New York Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
East New York Street
19
Turn right onto North Pine Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
North Pine Street
20
Take the ramp
124 ft
·
3 sec
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 65 North: Chicago
Use the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto I 65
30 mi
·
35 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit onto US 52
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 52
Exit 141
Toward US 52 West
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
25
Merge onto I 65
117 mi
·
2 hr 7 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
2 min
Exit 259A
Toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
Use the slight right lane.
27
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Borman Expressway
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 9
Toward Grant Street
Use the slight right lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork
336 ft
·
9 sec
Use the right lane.
30
Turn straight onto Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
31
Turn right onto West 15th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
West 15th Avenue
32
Turn left onto Harrison Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Harrison Boulevard
33
Turn right onto 10th Place
254 ft
·
11 sec
·
10th Place
34
Arrive at destination
10th Place
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 41-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. To make the most of it, consider departing in the morning to allow for flexibility and avoid potential traffic. With only one stop likely needed, you can plan your break strategically along the longest stretch on I 65. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that 146.3-mile section, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost of $30 is a good budget benchmark for this 190.5-mile trip across Indiana.
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 95.2 miles from Saint Paul, IN, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.3 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 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.2 miles or 1h 54m 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
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 Saint Paul, 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 Saint Paul, IN
This is one driving day of about 190.5 miles and 3h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Saint Paul, 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 146.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 95.2 miles from Saint Paul, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 146.3 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 255 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 188.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 74 West, US 421 North: Indianapolis
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 74 West, US 421 North: Indianapolis
8
38.2 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 65 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 65 North: Chicago
8
185.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m 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
188 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m 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
188.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.78 one way
$59.57 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.70 | $65.40 |
| premium | $4.89 | $36.66 | $73.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.06 | $84.12 |
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: 66.7 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 | 57.2 | 0 | $20.00 | $9.14 |
| Efficient EV | 47.6 | 0 | $16.67 | $7.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.2 | 0 | $26.67 | $12.19 |
Gas CO2
67 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.
Destination
Gary, IN
Late night in Gary on Sunday
Local time
1:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
10 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 41m 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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$20
near mile 187.1
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?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 190.5-mile journey. You'll be on major interstates for a significant portion, with I 65 and I 74 forming the backbone of the drive. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 146.3 miles, allowing for a good period of consistent travel. While the majority is highway driving (93% share), there are moments where you'll navigate through local roads like Southeastern Avenue, offering a slight change of pace before rejoining the faster routes. This profile means the drive is largely about making good time.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 146.3 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 74. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 190.5 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 2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.1 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 3h 41m. Total distance: 190.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 146.3 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.
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 Gary, 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 2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.1 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 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Gary, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Gary, IN
More from Saint Paul, IN
More trips to Gary, IN
Explore more options from Saint Paul, IN or browse trips ending in Gary, IN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IN road trips.