Origin
Trail Creek, IN
Late night in Trail Creek on Friday
Local time
4:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Trail Creek, IN to Alaska, IN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 7m
Distance
205.1 mi
330 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 55m
★
6 AM
4h 8m
8 AM
4h 34m
10 AM
4h 17m
12 PM
4h 14m
3 PM
4h 18m
5 PM
4h 32m
8 PM
4h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trail Creek, IN
Istvan Gerenyi
Alaska, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Trail Creek, IN to Alaska, IN covers 205.1 miles and takes about 4h 7m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, I 94, Dwight D Eisenhower Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 130 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.80 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
102.5 miles from Trail Creek, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway | 130 mi | 2h 21m |
| I 94 | 21.5 mi | 24m |
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | 19.2 mi | 20m |
| I 465 | 9.5 mi | 10m |
| I 65 | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| SR 42 | 5.4 mi | 9m |
| US 20 | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Franklin Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
— 130 mi, about 2h 21m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 98 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,173 veh/hr typical · worst 2,837
Quietest
2 AM
~307 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Trail Creek, IN and Alaska, IN.
1
Start on Whipporwill Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Whipporwill Avenue
2
Turn left onto South Roeske Avenue
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Roeske Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto East Coolspring Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Coolspring Avenue
4
Turn left onto South Woodland Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Woodland Avenue
5
Turn right onto US 20
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US 20
6
Turn left onto US 421
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 94 West: Chicago
8
Merge onto I 94
22 mi
·
24 min
·
I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 12
Toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, Indianapolis
Use the slight right lane.
10
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
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 65 South: Indianapolis
Use the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 65
130 mi
·
2 hr 21 min
·
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 65
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 123
Toward I 465 South
15
Continue on this road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Exit 123
Toward I 465 South
16
Merge onto I 465
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
I 465
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 9A-B
Toward I 70: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International Airport, Indianapolis
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
2.6 mi
·
5 min
Exit 9B
Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International Airport
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis
Use the slight left lane.
20
Merge onto I 70
19 mi
·
20 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 51
Toward County Road 1100 West
22
Turn left onto North Little Point Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Little Point Road
23
At end of road, turn right onto SR 42
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
SR 42
24
Turn left onto SR 42
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
SR 42
25
Turn right onto SR 42
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
SR 42
26
Continue on North Craver Road
1.1 mi
·
4 min
·
North Craver Road
27
Continue on Awbrey Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Awbrey Road
28
Turn right onto North Wilson Road
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Wilson Road
29
Turn right onto Lewisville Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lewisville Road
30
Arrive at destination
Lewisville Road
Trip Plan
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 102.5 miles from Trail Creek, IN, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130 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 45 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.5 miles or 1h 58m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alaska, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Trail Creek, 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 Trail Creek, IN
This is one driving day of about 205.1 miles and 4h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Trail Creek, 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 Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway for about 130 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
103 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 102.5 miles from Trail Creek, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 130 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 26 and 176.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
26 mi into trip
|
~34m 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
7
26.8 mi into trip
|
~35m 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
8
173.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International Airport, 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 9A-B
Toward I 70: Saint Louis, Indianapolis Internat...
9
173.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 70 West: Saint Louis, Indianapolis International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 9B
Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis, Indianapolis Int...
7
176.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 West: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.80 one way
$63.60 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $34.87 | $69.73 |
| premium | $4.93 | $39.79 | $79.59 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $45.21 | $90.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.5 | 0 | $21.54 | $9.84 |
| Efficient EV | 51.3 | 0 | $17.95 | $8.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82 | 1 | $28.71 | $13.13 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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
Alaska, IN
Late night in Alaska on Friday
Local time
5:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
5 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 7m 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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
$20
near mile 14.1
Caution: Water Safety Alert
Park Closure: Trail Closure - Dunewood Trace
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
205.1 mi in 4h 7m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 130 mi on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26 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 205.1 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 26 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 173.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
928 ft
627 ft
Total Climb
470 ft
Total Descent
310 ft
Highest Point
928 ft
~142.6 mi in
Elevation Range
301 ft
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 Trail Creek, IN and Alaska, IN, road signs point toward Indianapolis, Chicago and Indianapolis International Airport.
Indianapolis
26 mi in
|
~34m
Chicago
26.7 mi in
|
~35m
Indianapolis International Airport
173.5 mi in
|
~3h 17m
About the Cities
Starting in Trail Creek, IN
Full guide →Arriving in Alaska, IN
Full guide →Alaska is by far the largest state of the United States by land area. Nicknamed "the last frontier", Alaska is sparsely populated with a harsh climate but incredible scenery. Separated from the "lower 48" by Canada, Alaska can be a challenging destination; most of the state is in the Arctic. Besides vast forests and frozen tundra, Alaska contains the ten highest mountain peaks in the United States, including Denali, the highest in all of North America.
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 4h 7m. Total distance: 205.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 130 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. 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 Alaska, 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 26 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 173.5 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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Alaska, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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