Origin
Clear Creek, IN
Afternoon in Clear Creek on Wednesday
Local time
3:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clear Creek, IN to Portage, IN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h
Distance
207.5 mi
334 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 47m
★
6 AM
4h 0m
8 AM
4h 26m
10 AM
4h 9m
12 PM
4h 6m
3 PM
4h 10m
5 PM
4h 25m
8 PM
3h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clear Creek, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Portage, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 207.5-mile drive from Clear Creek, Indiana, to Portage, Indiana, is designed for efficiency, taking approximately 4 hours to complete. Primarily utilizing I-65, I-69, and I-74, this route is a highway-focused journey through the heart of the Midwest. With 93% of the drive on highways, it's well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Budget around $32 for fuel, and anticipate a longest stretch of 135.4 miles on I-65 before needing to consider a break. This is a straightforward drive for those prioritizing time and directness.
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
103.7 miles from Clear Creek, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 207.5-mile trip, with 93% of your time spent on interstates like I-65, I-69, and I-74. The character of the drive is largely consistent, marked by the efficiency of major roadways. You'll encounter a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 135.4 miles on I-65, so plan your stops accordingly. While the focus is on speed and directness, the transition between these interstates offers minor changes in scenery and traffic patterns as you move through Indiana.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 135.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near SR 37.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 207.5 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 0.8 miles (SR 37): Lane positioning matters here; at 49.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
SR 37
Turn right onto SR 37
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
49.1 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Take the exit toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 163
Toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
7
63.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m 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
200.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit
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 259B
Toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo,...
8
201.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Central Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13
Toward Central Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 135.4 mi | 2h 27m |
| I 69 | 47.6 mi | 53m |
| I 74 | 9.2 mi | 10m |
| Central Avenue | 5.7 mi | 11m |
| 65 | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| SR 37 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Church Lane | 0.5 mi | 2m |
| US 52 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 135.4 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clear Creek, IN and Portage, IN.
1
Start on Rogers Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Rogers Street
2
Turn right onto West Church Lane
0.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Church Lane
3
Turn left onto South Victor Pike
0.1 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Victor Pike
4
Turn right onto SR 37
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
SR 37
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
Merge onto I 69
48 mi
·
53 min
·
I 69
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
3 min
Exit 163
Toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
7
Merge onto I 74; I 465
9.2 mi
·
10 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 20
Toward I 65 North: Chicago
Use 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 141
Toward US 52 West
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
13
Merge onto I 65
118 mi
·
2 hr 8 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 259B
Toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 13
Toward Central Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto Central Avenue
4.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Central Avenue
17
Continue on Central Avenue
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Central Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration and 207.5-mile distance, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially on the interstate segments. With the longest stretch being 135.4 miles on I-65, plan for at least one significant stop for fuel and rest. The estimated fuel cost is $32, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you begin. Staying aware of potential construction or traffic delays on these major highways will help ensure a smooth journey.
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 103.7 miles from Clear Creek, IN, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.4 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.7 miles or 2h 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portage, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clear 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 Clear Creek, IN
This is one driving day of about 207.5 miles and 4h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clear 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 I 65 for about 135.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 103.7 mi from Clear Creek, IN · 2h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 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 103.7 miles from Clear Creek, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.4 miles.
Arriving in Portage, IN
The final approach into Portage, 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 Portage, 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
$32.44 one way
$64.88 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $35.62 | $71.24 |
| premium | $4.89 | $39.93 | $79.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $45.81 | $91.63 |
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: 72.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.3 | 0 | $21.79 | $9.96 |
| Efficient EV | 51.9 | 0 | $18.16 | $8.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83 | 1 | $29.05 | $13.28 |
Gas CO2
73 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
Portage, IN
Afternoon in Portage on Wednesday
Local time
2:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°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
3 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
4h 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Clear Creek, IN to Portage, IN covers 207.5 miles and takes about 4h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, I 69, I 74. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 103.7 miles from Clear Creek, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.44 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 207.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (SR 37): Lane positioning matters here; at 49.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Clear Creek, IN to Portage, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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