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Trip from Winamac, 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

1h 41m

Distance

73.7 mi

119 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 34m ★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 56m
8 PM
1h 37m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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county seat in Indiana, United States

Winamac, IN

Wikimedia Commons

city in Lake County, State of Indiana, United States

Gary, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Winamac to Gary, you can expect a manageable 73.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 41 minutes. This transit through the Midwest is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. With a modest estimated fuel cost of $11, it is an affordable way to navigate between these Indiana communities. You will rely on a combination of local routes, including North Monticello Street, the Lincoln Highway, and segments of the Indiana Toll Road. Because this route is designed for efficiency rather than speed, it is best approached as a straightforward, no-nonsense drive.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

36.9 miles from Winamac, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Indiana Toll Road 15.6 mi 17m
Lincoln Highway 15.5 mi 20m
North Monticello Street 10.5 mi 15m
S 200 W 8.6 mi 11m
State Road 39 4.6 mi 6m
East 600 S 4 mi 5m
West 600 South 2 mi 2m
S 400 E 1.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Indiana Toll Road — 15.6 mi, about 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Winamac, IN and Gary, IN.

1

Start on US 35

10 mi · 15 min · North Monticello Street
2

Continue on US 35; SR 10

1.4 mi · 1 min · S 400 E
3

Turn left onto SR 10

4.0 mi · 5 min · East 600 S
4

Continue on SR 10

2.0 mi · 2 min · West 600 South
5

Turn right onto SR 39

8.6 mi · 11 min · S 200 W
6

Continue on SR 39

4.6 mi · 6 min · State Road 39
7

Turn left onto US 30

15 mi · 20 min · Lincoln Highway
8

Take the exit

9.2 mi · 13 min
Toward SR 49 North, SR 2 East: Valparaiso, Chesterton
9

Turn left

394 ft · 9 sec
Toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road
10

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 18 sec · this road
11

Continue on this road

411 ft · 10 sec · this road
Toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago Use the straight lane.
13

Merge onto I 80; I 90

16 mi · 17 min · Indiana Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Exit 14B Toward SR 53: Broadway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Turn left onto SR 53

0.1 mi · 29 sec · Broadway
16

Turn right onto US 12; US 20

0.3 mi · 30 sec · West 4th Avenue
17

Turn left onto Madison Street

0.7 mi · 2 min · Madison Street
18

Turn right onto 10th Place

0.2 mi · 57 sec · 10th Place
19

Arrive at destination

10th Place

Trip Plan

Because this is a short trip with no required stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it best fits your schedule. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route means you should stay focused on your navigation, especially when transitioning between the Lincoln Highway and local surface streets. Budget roughly $11 for fuel before you head out to ensure you have enough to complete the 73.7-mile distance without needing to hunt for stations along the way. Since there are no mandatory stops built into this 1 hour and 41-minute drive, feel free to plan your own breaks based on your personal comfort. A quick check of your GPS before leaving is a smart move to help you manage the frequent turns along North Monticello Street and beyond.

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 36.9 miles from Winamac, IN, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.6 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 16 miles or 23m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 36.9 miles or 51m 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 25m

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 Winamac, IN so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Winamac, IN

This is one driving day of about 73.7 miles and 1h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Winamac, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Indiana Toll Road for about 15.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Porter County, Indiana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Valparaiso, IN

37 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

North Judson, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Westville, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 36.9 miles from Winamac, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Albano's Pasta Shop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Valparaiso, Indiana

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 47.4

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12192429160

Visit website

Main + Lincoln Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Valparaiso, Indiana

1.8 mi

Pesto's Italian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Valparaiso, Indiana

2.6 mi

Albano's Pasta Shop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 47.4

Valparaiso, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12192429160

Visit website

Main + Lincoln Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $50 to $10 mile 47.4

Valparaiso, Indiana

Hours: 4–10 pm

+12195105548

Visit website

Pesto's Italian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 47.4

Valparaiso, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12194620993

Visit website

T's Pizza & Family Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 68.4

Hobart, Indiana

Hours: 4–10:30 pm

+12199422424

Visit website

Moraine Nature Preserve

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 52.7

Valparaiso, Indiana

+12199819183

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 46.6 and 72 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
46.6 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in

Take the exit toward SR 49 North, SR 2 East: Valparaiso, Chesterton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward SR 49 North, SR 2 East: Valparaiso, Ches...
6
55.8 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in

Turn left toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road
9
56.1 mi into trip | ~1h 18m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago
5
56.3 mi into trip | ~1h 18m in | I 80; I 90 / Indiana Toll Road

Merge onto I 80; I 90 / Indiana Toll Road

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
72 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in

Take the exit toward SR 53: Broadway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 14B Toward SR 53: Broadway

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.52 one way

$23.04 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $12.65 $25.30
premium $4.89 $14.18 $28.37
diesel $5.61 $16.27 $32.54

Estimated Tolls: $1.09

Indiana Toll Road (15.6 mi) $1.09

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 25.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22.1 0 $7.74 $3.54
Efficient EV 18.4 0 $6.45 $2.95
EV Truck/SUV 29.5 0 $10.32 $4.72

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (65% 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

Winamac, IN

Late night in Winamac on Sunday

Local time

1:57 AM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gary, IN

Late night in Gary on Sunday

Local time

12:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 15 mph 40% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 4:54PM EDT until April 14 at 5:45PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 4:47PM EDT until April 14 at 5:00PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN

50°F

Valparaiso, IN

37 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

9 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

1h 41m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate sprint, as this route features zero percent highway share for the vast majority of the travel time. While you will spend a brief period on the Indiana Toll Road, that stretch is limited to a longest uninterrupted segment of only 15.6 miles. The character of the road shifts frequently, requiring you to stay alert as you transition between local streets and highway infrastructure. Navigating this path feels less like a high-speed commute and more like an intentional journey through the local landscape. You will spend most of your time behind the wheel adjusting to varying road types rather than cruising on long, straightaways.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 15.6 mi on Indiana Toll Road.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 46.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 73.7 miles you will encounter 11 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 46.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Winamac, IN to Gary, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Chesterton along the way.

Chesterton

46.6 mi in | ~1h 4m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 73.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 15.6 miles on Indiana Toll Road. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.09 in tolls one way, starting with Indiana Toll Road. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 46.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gary, IN before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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