Origin
Darmstadt, IN
Evening in Darmstadt on Tuesday
Local time
6:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
5h 40m
Distance
266.6 mi
429 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Darmstadt, IN
Niklas Jeromin
Gary, IN
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Darmstadt, IN to Gary, IN covers 266.6 miles and takes about 5h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 41, SR 63, I 65 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 147.3 miles on US 41. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.68 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
133.3 miles from Darmstadt, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
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This is a 5h 40m highway drive covering 266.6 miles, with most of the trip on US 41 and SR 63. The longest continuous stretch is about 147.3 miles on US 41.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 41 and SR 63. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 45.1 miles in near US 41; US 150.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 266.6 miles you will encounter 13 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 45.1 miles (US 41; US 150): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 223.5 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 261.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit onto US 41; US 150 toward US 41 North, US 150: Terre Haute
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit toward Grant Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Darmstadt, IN to Gary, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.
Chicago
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 41 | 147.3 mi | 3h 7m |
| SR 63 | 63.3 mi | 1h 20m |
| I 65 | 37.8 mi | 41m |
| State Road 14 | 9.5 mi | 13m |
| Borman Expressway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| West Baseline Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Darmstadt Road | 1 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Darmstadt, IN and Gary, IN.
Start on West Boonville New Harmony Road
Turn right onto Darmstadt Road
Turn straight onto Old Princeton Road
Turn right onto West Baseline Road
Turn left onto US 41
Take the exit onto US 41; US 150
Turn straight onto SR 63
Continue on US 41
Turn right onto SR 14
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
Turn right onto West 15th Avenue
Turn left onto Harrison Boulevard
Turn right onto 10th Place
Arrive at destination
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.
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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.3 miles or 2h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gary, IN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Darmstadt, 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 Darmstadt, IN
This is one driving day of about 266.6 miles and 5h 40m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.3 mi from Darmstadt, IN · 2h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 133.3 miles from Darmstadt, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 147.3 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$41.68 one way
$83.36 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $45.76 | $91.53 |
| premium | $4.89 | $51.30 | $102.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.86 | $117.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80 | 0 | $27.99 | $12.80 |
| Efficient EV | 66.7 | 0 | $23.33 | $10.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.6 | 1 | $37.32 | $17.06 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Darmstadt on Tuesday
Local time
6:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Gary on Tuesday
Local time
6:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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