Connecting Southport to Gary, this 162.2-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the Indiana heartland. You can expect to spend about 3 hours and 5 minutes behind the wheel, making it a very manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of approximately $25, the drive is quite economical for solo travelers or small groups. You will spend the vast majority of your time cruising on I-65 and I-74, keeping the navigation simple and stress-free. Since the entire route remains within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel from start to finish. It is an ideal path for those prioritizing efficiency over backroads exploration.
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
81.1 miles from Southport, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
134.7 mi
2h 26m
I 74
10.8 mi
12m
65
3.9 mi
4m
I 69
2.3 mi
2m
US 31
2.2 mi
3m
Borman Expressway
1.4 mi
1m
Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
1.2 mi
1m
East Southport Road
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 134.7 mi, about 2h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southport, IN and Gary, IN.
1
Start on this road
51 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto East Southport Road
1.0 mi·2 min·East Southport Road
3
Turn right onto US 31
2.1 mi·3 min·US 31
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Take the ramp onto US 31
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 31
Toward I 465 West, I 74 West, I 465 East, I 74 East, US 31 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 465 West, I 74 WestUse the slight left lane.
6
Merge onto I 69; I 74; I 465
2.3 mi·2 min·I 69; I 74; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; I 465
11 mi·12 min·I 74; I 465
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto 65
3.9 mi·4 min·65
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 20Toward I 65 North: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 65
18 mi·19 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 52
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 52
Exit 141Toward US 52 West
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
13
Merge onto I 65
117 mi·2 hr 7 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.4 mi·2 min
Exit 259AToward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6
1.4 mi·1 min·Borman Expressway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 9Toward Grant StreetUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
336 ft·9 sec
Use the right lane.
18
Turn straight onto Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
1.2 mi·1 min·Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
19
Turn right onto West 15th Avenue
0.5 mi·56 sec·West 15th Avenue
20
Turn left onto Harrison Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Harrison Boulevard
21
Turn right onto 10th Place
254 ft·11 sec·10th Place
22
Arrive at destination
10th Place
Trip Plan
To keep your travel efficient, aim to complete the drive in one go, as the 3-hour duration offers plenty of flexibility for a single stop. Monitoring your fuel levels is wise, though your $25 budget should comfortably cover the distance if you fill up before departing Southport. Given the reliance on I-65, keep an eye on traffic reports near major junctions to avoid potential bottlenecks that could extend your travel time. Since you only have one planned stop, choose a location around the halfway point to stretch your legs effectively. This route is all about momentum, so timing your departure to avoid peak commuter hours will ensure you reach Gary without unnecessary delays.
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 81.1 miles from Southport, IN, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.7 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 36 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.1 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 29m
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 Southport, 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 Southport, IN
This is one driving day of about 162.2 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Southport, 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 134.7 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.2 and 159.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.2 mi into trip|~5m in|US 31
Take the ramp onto US 31 toward I 465 West, I 74 West, I 465 East, I 74 East, US 31 North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 465 West, I 74 West, I 465 East, I 74...
8
3.3 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 465 West, I 74 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 465 West, I 74 West
7
20.7 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 20
Toward I 65 North: Chicago
8
156.8 mi into trip|~2h 55m 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
159.7 mi into trip|~3h 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.36 one way
$50.72 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.84
$55.68
premium
$4.89
$31.21
$62.43
diesel
$5.61
$35.81
$71.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.7
0
$17.03
$7.79
Efficient EV
40.6
0
$14.19
$6.49
EV Truck/SUV
64.9
0
$22.71
$10.38
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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 14, 2026
Origin
Southport, IN
Late night
in Southport on Sunday
Local time
3:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gary, IN
Late night
in Gary on Sunday
Local time
2:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SSW 15 to 20 mph60% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 10:37PM EDT until April 17 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 6:31PM CDT until April 15 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
73°F
Lafayette, IN
81 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
17 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 5m 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...
13 mi from route
~31 min detour
$20
near mile 156.6
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 trip is defined by a high-speed, highway-focused profile, with 94% of your travel occurring on major interstates. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, especially during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 134.7 miles spent on I-65. Because the route relies heavily on major arteries, the drive feels consistent and functional rather than winding or technical. You should prepare for a steady, interstate-heavy pace that prioritizes directness over scenic detours. Expect a straightforward experience where the road conditions remain largely predictable throughout the entire 162.2-mile span.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 134.7 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 3.2 miles in near US 31.
Driving Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 162.2 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 3.2 miles (US 31): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 162.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 134.7 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 3.2 miles (US 31): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Gary, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.
