Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Gary, IN to Fish Lake, IN

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

1h 8m

Distance

50 mi

80 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$8

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

9 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 17 min
4 AM
1h 3m ★
6 AM
1h 9m
8 AM
1h 20m
10 AM
1h 13m
12 PM
1h 11m
3 PM
1h 13m
5 PM
1h 19m
8 PM
1h 5m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Lake County, State of Indiana, United States

Gary, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Fish Lake, IN, IN

Fish Lake, IN

Alexey Demidov

Trip Overview

The drive from Gary, IN to Fish Lake, IN covers 50 miles and takes about 1h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 94, US 35, Monroe Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 23.6 miles on I 94. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.82 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

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

25 miles from Gary, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 1h 8m highway drive covering 50 miles, with most of the trip on I 94 and US 35. The longest continuous stretch is about 23.6 miles on I 94.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 23.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Harrison Boulevard.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 50 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: near the start (Harrison Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 7.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Harrison Boulevard

Turn right onto Harrison Boulevard

Navigation decision point

5
1.4 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward I 90 East

Navigation decision point

Toward I 90 East
8
7.2 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the exit toward I 94, US 6, SR 51: Detroit, Lake Station

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 21 Toward I 94, US 6, SR 51: Detroit, Lake Station
7
7.8 mi into trip | ~11m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 East: Detroit

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 94 East: Detroit
5
8.4 mi into trip | ~12m in | I 94

Merge onto I 94

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Gary, IN and Fish Lake, IN, road signs point toward Lake Station and Bend.

Lake Station

7.2 mi in | ~10m

Bend

32 mi in | ~38m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 94 23.6 mi 25m
US 35 7.4 mi 12m
Monroe Street 6.5 mi 11m
Indiana Toll Road 5.4 mi 5m
SR 4 3.3 mi 4m
West 5th Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Harrison Street 0.5 mi 1m
Broadway 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 94 — 23.6 mi, about 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 10th Place

254 ft · 15 sec · 10th Place
2

Turn right onto Harrison Boulevard

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Harrison Boulevard
3

Continue on Harrison Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Harrison Street
4

Turn right onto US 12; US 20

0.5 mi · 1 min · West 5th Avenue
5

Turn left onto SR 53

0.2 mi · 36 sec · Broadway
6

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Toward I 90 East
7

Merge onto I 90

5.4 mi · 5 min · Indiana Toll Road
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 21 Toward I 94, US 6, SR 51: Detroit, Lake Station Use the slight right lane.
9

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 15 sec · this road
10

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 48 sec · this road
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 94 East: Detroit Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto I 94

24 mi · 25 min · I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward US 20 East, US 35 South: La Porte, South Bend
14

Merge onto US 20

0.2 mi · 15 sec · US 20
15

Turn right onto US 35

7.4 mi · 12 min · US 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Jefferson Avenue
Use the left lane.
17

Turn right onto SR 4

6.5 mi · 11 min · Monroe Street
Use the straight lane.
18

Turn left onto SR 4

3.3 mi · 4 min · SR 4
19

Turn right onto South Longshore Drive

35 ft · 1 sec · South Longshore Drive
20

Arrive at destination

South Longshore Drive

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 25 miles from Gary, IN, or about 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.6 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 50 miles or 1h 8m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 25 miles or 30m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 56m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fish Lake, 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 50 miles and 1h 8m.

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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 23.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 25 mi from Gary, IN · 30m into the drive

Downtown chicago-il

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chicago, IL

25 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

Chicago, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chicago, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 25 miles from Gary, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Fish Lake, IN

The final approach into Fish Lake, 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 Fish Lake, IN.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana Dunes National Park

National Park

Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast. Over 50 miles of trails...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 near mile 17.2
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Park Closure: Mount Baldy Closure
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$7.82 one way

$15.63 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 18 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $8.58 $17.17
premium $4.89 $9.62 $19.24
diesel $5.61 $11.04 $22.08

Estimated Tolls: $0.38

Indiana Toll Road (5.4 mi) $0.38

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

$8

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$33–$58

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 17.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

9 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Michigan City - Tesla Supercharger

Michigan City, IN

Tesla

20 DCFC

Indian Boundary Plaza - Tesla Supercharger

Chesterton, IN

Tesla

12 DCFC

George Ade Travel Plaza Eastbound - Tesla Supercharger

Portage, IN

Tesla

8 DCFC

John T. McCutcheon Travel Plaza - Tesla Supercharger

Portage, IN

Tesla

8 DCFC

Meijer 149 (Michigan City, IN)

Michigan City, IN

Electrify America

6 DCFC

Graff Ford of Chesterton

Burns Harbor, IN

RED_E

2 DCFC

Graff Chevrolet of Chesterton

Burns Harbor, IN

RED_E

2 DCFC

Victory Nissan of Chesterton

Chesterton, IN

RED_E

2 DCFC

Tesla: 4 RED_E: 4 Electrify America: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 15 0 $5.25 $2.40
Efficient EV 12.5 0 $4.38 $2.00
EV Truck/SUV 20 0 $7.00 $3.20

Gas CO2

17 kg

EV CO2

6 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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Gary, IN

Night in Gary on Tuesday

Local time

9:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fish Lake, IN

Night in Fish Lake on Tuesday

Local time

9:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

8 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 8m 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 Gary, IN to Fish Lake, IN covers 50 miles and takes about 1h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, US 35, Monroe Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 25 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 $7.82 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 50 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: near the start (Harrison Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 7.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Gary, IN and Fish Lake, IN, road signs point toward Lake Station and Bend.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

More from Gary, IN

Clarksville, IN 261 mi · 4h 54m Johnson, IN 259.2 mi · 5h 35m New Pekin, IN 258.9 mi · 5h 3m Saint Joseph, IN 255.4 mi · 4h 54m Aurora, IN 246.7 mi · 4h 50m Austin, IN 228.6 mi · 4h 20m

More trips to Fish Lake, IN

Fort Wayne, IN 95.1 mi South Bend, IN 23.1 mi

Explore more options from Gary, IN or browse trips ending in Fish Lake, IN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IN road trips.

Explore maps for Gary, IN or Fish Lake, IN on MapSof.net.