Drive Time
39m
Distance
31.5 mi
51 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Photo: John Hanson
The drive from LaPorte, IN to Portage, IN covers 31.5 miles and takes about 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Indiana Toll Road, State Road 39, Pine Lake Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 25.1 miles on Indiana Toll Road. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.78 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
15.8 miles from LaPorte, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 20m into the drive .
Expect a 39m drive with frequent turns across 31.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 35; SR 39 / Indiana Avenue.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 8 significant decision points across 31.5 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 (US 35; SR 39 / Indiana Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 4.9 miles (I 80; I 90 / Indiana Toll Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto US 35; SR 39 / Indiana Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Merge onto I 80; I 90 / Indiana Toll Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Portage
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Central Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Toll Road | 25.1 mi | 27m |
| State Road 39 | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Pine Lake Avenue | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Willowcreek Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Central Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Indiana Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Lincolnway | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between LaPorte, IN and Portage, IN.
Start on SR 2; SR 39
Turn left onto US 35; SR 39
Continue on US 35; SR 39
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto SR 39
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 80; I 90
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto Willowcreek Road
Turn left onto Central Avenue
Arrive at destination
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.
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 31.5 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.8 miles or 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portage, IN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving LaPorte, 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 LaPorte, IN
This is one driving day of about 31.5 miles and 39m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.8 mi from LaPorte, IN · 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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 31.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 15.8 miles from LaPorte, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Portage, 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 Portage, IN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$4.78 one way
$9.57 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.27 | $10.55 |
| premium | $4.80 | $5.95 | $11.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.00 | $14.00 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.76
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
$5
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.31 | $1.51 |
| Efficient EV | 7.9 | 0 | $2.76 | $1.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.41 | $2.02 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
Night in LaPorte on Saturday
Local time
10:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Night in Portage on Saturday
Local time
10:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
46°F
Chicago, IL
16 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
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
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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