Origin
Gary, IN
Evening in Gary on Sunday
Local time
5:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gary, IN to Austin, IN
Drive Time
4h 20m
Distance
228.6 mi
368 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 8m
★
6 AM
4h 21m
8 AM
4h 47m
10 AM
4h 30m
12 PM
4h 27m
3 PM
4h 31m
5 PM
4h 46m
8 PM
4h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gary, IN
將將 王
Austin, IN
Elsie Soto
Trip Overview
Traveling from Gary to Austin, Indiana, covers 228.6 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 20 minutes of drive time. Because this journey stays entirely within the Midwest, you can easily complete it in a single day, making it a straightforward trip for those looking to traverse the state. You should set aside approximately $35 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Utilizing a mix of I-65, the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, and Martin Luther King Drive, the route is well-connected for efficient travel. While an overnight stay is rarely necessary for this duration, you might choose to take one planned stop to break up the drive. Overall, this route offers a practical way to navigate Indiana, providing a balanced experience for solo drivers or those looking for a manageable regional commute.
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
114.3 miles from Gary, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions through different road types as you head south. With about 41% of the journey spent on highways, you will encounter both fast-paced interstate segments and slower local road sections. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, covering 128.7 miles along the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. As you transition between these main arteries, the character of the drive shifts from the high-speed flow of I-65 to the more localized feel of Martin Luther King Drive. This variety helps keep the 228.6-mile trip engaging, preventing the monotony often associated with long, purely interstate hauls. Whether you are navigating heavy traffic near the start or cruising the more open stretches, the road surface and pace will change significantly throughout your four-hour journey.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 128.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West 11th Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 228.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.1 miles (West 11th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4.8 miles (I 65 / Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.5 miles (I 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West 11th Avenue
Turn left onto West 11th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
4.8 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 65 / Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 65 / Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
133.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
I 65
Keep slight left at fork onto I 65
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
152.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
|
I 65
Keep slight left at fork onto I 65
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
6
226 mi into trip
|
~4h 15m in
Take the exit toward US 31: Austin, Crothersville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 36
Toward US 31: Austin, Crothersville
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway | 128.7 mi | 2h 19m |
| I 65 | 92.5 mi | 1h 46m |
| Martin Luther King Drive | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| US 31 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| West 15th Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Booe Road | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Madison Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Ridge Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
— 128.7 mi, about 2h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gary, IN and Austin, IN.
1
Start on 10th Place
55 ft
·
4 sec
·
10th Place
2
Turn right onto Harrison Street
480 ft
·
28 sec
·
Harrison Street
3
Turn left onto West 11th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
West 11th Avenue
4
Turn right onto Madison Street
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Madison Street
5
Turn left onto West 15th Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West 15th Avenue
6
Continue on Central Avenue
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Central Avenue
7
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Drive
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Martin Luther King Drive
8
Turn left onto US 6 Business
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
East Ridge Road
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
10
Merge onto I 65
129 mi
·
2 hr 19 min
·
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 65
17 mi
·
22 min
·
I 65
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 65
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
I 65
Exit 112A
Toward I 70 East: Dayton
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 65
74 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
I 65
Use the slight left lane.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 36
Toward US 31: Austin, Crothersville
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 31
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 31
16
Turn left onto West Booe Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Booe Road
17
Arrive at destination
West Booe Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour and 20-minute trip, try to time your departure to avoid peak commuter traffic, especially when navigating the segments near Gary. Since this is a one-day drive, you have the flexibility to plan your single stop whenever you need a quick refresh or a stretch. Keep in mind that your fuel budget of $35 is an estimate, so it is wise to keep a little extra set aside for fluctuating gas prices along the corridor. If you find yourself needing a break, look for services near the halfway point to ensure you stay alert for the remainder of the route. A key tip for this specific drive is to pay close attention to your transitions between the Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway and I-65, as shifting between these major roads requires staying alert to signage changes.
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 114.3 miles from Gary, IN, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.7 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.3 miles or 2h 9m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Austin, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gary, 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 Gary, IN
This is one driving day of about 228.6 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Gary, 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 128.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 114.3 mi from Gary, IN · 2h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 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 114.3 miles from Gary, 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 128.7 miles.
Arriving in Austin, IN
The final approach into Austin, 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 Austin, 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
$34.72 one way
$69.44 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $38.28 | $76.55 |
| premium | $4.80 | $43.16 | $86.31 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $50.79 | $101.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.6 | 0 | $24.00 | $10.97 |
| Efficient EV | 57.2 | 0 | $20.00 | $9.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.4 | 1 | $32.00 | $14.63 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Austin, IN
Evening in Austin on Sunday
Local time
6:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°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
33 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 20m 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 Gary, IN to Austin, IN covers 228.6 miles and takes about 4h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, I 65, Martin Luther King Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 114.3 miles from Gary, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.72 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 228.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.1 miles (West 11th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4.8 miles (I 65 / Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.5 miles (I 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Gary, IN to Austin, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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