Drive Time
3h 4m
Distance
160.5 mi
258 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
Photo: Harrison Reilly
The drive from Gary, IN to Southport, IN covers 160.5 miles and takes about 3h 4m 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 $21.80 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
80.2 miles from Gary, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 4m drive with frequent turns across 160.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
| 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 Southport, 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 US 31 South: East Street
Turn right onto South East Street
Turn slight left
Turn left onto East Thompson Road
Turn right onto Madison Avenue
Turn right
Turn right
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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.2 miles or 1h 32m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southport, 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 160.5 miles and 3h 4m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.2 mi from Gary, IN · 1h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 80.2 miles from Gary, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Southport, 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 Southport, IN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$21.80 one way
$43.60 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $24.33 | $48.66 |
| premium | $4.15 | $26.22 | $52.45 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $23.70 | $47.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.2 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.85 | $7.70 |
| Efficient EV | 40.1 | 0 | $14.04 | $6.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.2 | 0 | $22.47 | $10.27 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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
Morning in Gary on Saturday
Local time
11:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Southport on Saturday
Local time
12:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
54°F
Champaign, IL
80 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.
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