Drive Time
3h 26m
Distance
197.6 mi
318 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
Photo: Chris Flaten
The drive from Gary, IN to Bloomington, IN covers 197.6 miles and takes about 3h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Harrison Street, West 11th Avenue, Madison Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.01 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
98.8 miles from Gary, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 26m drive with frequent turns across 197.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Gary, IN to Bloomington, IN is easy. At 3h 26m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Gary, IN to Bloomington, IN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Harrison Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West 11th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Madison Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West 15th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Central Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Martin Luther King Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Ridge Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Gary, IN and Bloomington, IN.
Start on 10th Place
Turn right onto Harrison Street
Turn left onto West 11th Avenue
Turn right onto Madison Street
Turn left onto West 15th Avenue
Continue on Central Avenue
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Drive
Turn left onto East Ridge Road
Take the ramp slight right
Merge slight left onto Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 465 South
Continue on I 465 South
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 69 South: Evansville
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward College Avenue, Walnut Street
Turn straight onto North Walnut Street
Continue on North College Avenue
Turn left onto West 17th Street
Turn right onto North Indiana Avenue
Turn right onto East 10th Street
Turn left onto North Dunn Street
Turn left onto East 4th Street
Turn straight
Arrive at your 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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.8 miles or 1h 43m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bloomington, IN than in the middle of the route.
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 197.6 miles and 3h 26m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 98.8 mi from Gary, IN · 1h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 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 98.8 miles from Gary, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Bloomington, 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 Bloomington, IN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$30.01 one way
$60.03 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $33.09 | $66.17 |
| premium | $4.80 | $37.30 | $74.61 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $43.90 | $87.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.3 | 0 | $20.75 | $9.48 |
| Efficient EV | 49.4 | 0 | $17.29 | $7.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79 | 0 | $27.66 | $12.65 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Gary on Sunday
Local time
4:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Bloomington on Sunday
Local time
5:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
76°F
Cincinnati, OH
99 mi in
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Gary, IN or browse trips ending in Bloomington, IN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IN road trips.
Explore maps for Gary, IN or Bloomington, IN on MapSof.net.
