This 123-mile drive from Thorntown, IN to Gary, IN will take you about 2 hours and 21 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 96% of the journey on major roads like I-65 and the Borman Expressway. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this is an economical option for traversing the Midwest. You'll spend most of your time on I-65, which accounts for the longest stretch of uninterrupted driving at 112.5 miles. This straightforward drive is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B within Indiana.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.5 miles from Thorntown, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
112.5 mi
2h 2m
IN-47
4.4 mi
7m
Borman Expressway
1.4 mi
1m
Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
1.2 mi
1m
West 15th Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Harrison Boulevard
0.4 mi
1m
West Main Street
0.4 mi
<1m
10th Place
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 112.5 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thorntown, IN and Gary, IN.
1
Start on SR 47
0.4 mi·37 sec·West Main Street
2
Continue on SR 47
4.4 mi·7 min·IN-47
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Chicago
4
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·25 sec·this road
Toward Chicago
5
Merge onto I 65
113 mi·2 hr 2 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
1.4 mi·2 min
Exit 259AToward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6
1.4 mi·1 min·Borman Expressway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 9Toward Grant StreetUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
336 ft·9 sec
Use the right lane.
10
Turn straight onto Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
1.2 mi·1 min·Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
11
Turn right onto West 15th Avenue
0.5 mi·56 sec·West 15th Avenue
12
Turn left onto Harrison Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Harrison Boulevard
13
Turn right onto 10th Place
254 ft·11 sec·10th Place
14
Arrive at destination
10th Place
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 21-minute duration, this 123-mile drive is easily manageable as a single-day excursion from Thorntown to Gary. You can depart anytime, but leaving mid-morning will allow you to avoid potential rush hour congestion on the Borman Expressway as you approach Gary. With minimal stops planned and a low fuel cost of around $19, you won't need frequent breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially since the longest uninterrupted stretch is over 112 miles on I-65, so plan your refueling before this long segment if needed.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 61.5 miles from Thorntown, IN, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.5 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 27 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.5 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 53m
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 Thorntown, 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 Thorntown, IN
This is one driving day of about 123 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Thorntown, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 112.5 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.8 and 120.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.8 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the ramp toward Chicago
Navigation decision point
Toward Chicago
5
5.1 mi into trip|~9m in|I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
117.6 mi into trip|~2h 11m 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
120.5 mi into trip|~2h 16m 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
120.8 mi into trip|~2h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.23 one way
$38.46 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$21.11
$42.23
premium
$4.89
$23.67
$47.34
diesel
$5.61
$27.16
$54.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.9
0
$12.92
$5.90
Efficient EV
30.8
0
$10.76
$4.92
EV Truck/SUV
49.2
0
$17.22
$7.87
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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 18, 2026
Origin
Thorntown, IN
Morning
in Thorntown on Sunday
Local time
10:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gary, IN
Morning
in Gary on Sunday
Local time
9:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
WNW 15 to 20 mph32% chanceLive 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
72°F
Shelby, IN
62 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
2 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
2h 21m 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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
$20
near mile 118.7
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?
Expect a highway-focused experience for this 123-mile trip, with 96% of your travel occurring on interstates and expressways. The dominant road here is I-65, which will carry you for a significant 112.5-mile stretch, offering a consistent pace. While the route is largely on major highways, you will briefly use IN-47 early on. The Borman Expressway is the final leg into Gary, keeping you on high-speed roads for the majority of the 2-hour and 21-minute journey. This drive is characterized by its efficiency rather than scenic detours.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.5 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and IN-47. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in.
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 123 miles you will encounter 9 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 4.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 5.1 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.6 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 2h 21m. Total distance: 123 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 112.5 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 4.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 5.1 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.6 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gary, IN before heading back.
