Origin
Auburn, IN
Afternoon in Auburn on Tuesday
Local time
12:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Auburn, IN to Gary, IN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 56m
Distance
159.4 mi
257 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 46m
★
6 AM
2h 57m
8 AM
3h 19m
10 AM
3h 5m
12 PM
3h 2m
3 PM
3h 6m
5 PM
3h 18m
8 PM
2h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn, IN
Dominik Gryzbon
Gary, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Auburn, IN to Gary, IN covers 159.4 miles and takes about 2h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Indiana Toll Road, I 69, West 7th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 129 miles on Indiana Toll Road. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.92 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
79.7 miles from Auburn, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 56m drive with frequent turns across 159.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Indiana Toll Road is the longest continuous segment at about 129 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in near I 69.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 159.4 miles you will encounter 8 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 1.3 miles (I 69): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.7 miles (I 80; I 90 / Indiana Toll Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 69
Merge onto I 69
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
27.7 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Take the exit toward I 80 Toll, I 90 Toll: Chicago, Toledo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 356
Toward I 80 Toll, I 90 Toll: Chicago, Toledo
5
28.7 mi into trip
|
~32m 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
157.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m 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
5
158.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
|
US 12; US 20 / West 4th Avenue
Turn right onto US 12; US 20 / West 4th Avenue
Navigation decision point
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 Auburn, IN to Gary, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Toledo along the way.
Toledo
27.7 mi in
|
~30m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Toll Road | 129 mi | 2h 19m |
| I 69 | 26.5 mi | 28m |
| West 7th Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Madison Street | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| West 4th Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 10th Place | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Broadway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Indiana Toll Road
— 129 mi, about 2h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, IN and Gary, IN.
1
Start on SR 8
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West 7th Street
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
3
Merge onto I 69
26 mi
·
28 min
·
I 69
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 356
Toward I 80 Toll, I 90 Toll: Chicago, Toledo
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
6
Merge onto I 80; I 90
129 mi
·
2 hr 19 min
·
Indiana Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 14B
Toward SR 53: Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto SR 53
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Broadway
9
Turn right onto US 12; US 20
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
West 4th Avenue
10
Turn left onto Madison Street
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Madison Street
11
Turn right onto 10th Place
0.2 mi
·
57 sec
·
10th Place
12
Arrive at destination
10th Place
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 79.7 miles from Auburn, IN, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.7 miles or 1h 27m 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 22m
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 Auburn, 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 Auburn, IN
This is one driving day of about 159.4 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Auburn, 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 Indiana Toll Road for about 129 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.7 mi from Auburn, IN · 1h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 79.7 miles from Auburn, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Indiana Toll Road if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129 miles.
Arriving in Gary, IN
The final approach into Gary, IN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Gary, IN.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.92 one way
$49.84 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.36 | $54.72 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.68 | $61.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.19 | $70.39 |
Estimated Tolls: $9.03
Indiana Toll Road
(129 mi)
$9.03
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
$25
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.8 | 0 | $16.74 | $7.65 |
| Efficient EV | 39.9 | 0 | $13.95 | $6.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.8 | 0 | $22.32 | $10.20 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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
Morning in Gary on Tuesday
Local time
11:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
7 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 56m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Auburn, IN to Gary, IN covers 159.4 miles and takes about 2h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Indiana Toll Road, I 69, West 7th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79.7 miles from Auburn, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.92 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 159.4 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (I 69): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.7 miles (I 80; I 90 / Indiana Toll Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Auburn, IN to Gary, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Toledo along the way.
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