Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Montpelier, IN to Gary, IN

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 38m

Distance

163.9 mi

264 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Good

4 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 26m ★
6 AM
3h 38m
8 AM
4h 3m
10 AM
3h 47m
12 PM
3h 45m
3 PM
3h 48m
5 PM
4h 2m
8 PM
3h 31m

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 Indiana, United States

Montpelier, IN

Wikimedia Commons

city in Lake County, State of Indiana, United States

Gary, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Montpelier, IN to Gary, IN covers 163.9 miles and takes about 3h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 30, US 31, SR 18 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 40.3 miles on US 30. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.62 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

82 miles from Montpelier, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 38m. Total distance: 163.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Montpelier, IN to Gary, IN covers 163.9 miles and takes about 3h 38m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 30 is the longest continuous segment at about 40.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 136.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 163.9 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: at 136.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

5
136.8 mi into trip | ~3h 1m in

Take the exit toward SR 49 North, SR 2 East: Valparaiso, Chesterton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward SR 49 North, SR 2 East: Valparaiso, Ches...
6
146 mi into trip | ~3h 14m in

Turn left toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road
9
146.3 mi into trip | ~3h 15m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago
5
146.5 mi into trip | ~3h 15m in | I 80; I 90 / Indiana Toll Road

Merge onto I 80; I 90 / Indiana Toll Road

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
162.2 mi into trip | ~3h 33m in

Take the exit toward SR 53: Broadway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 14B Toward SR 53: Broadway

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

On the drive from Montpelier, IN to Gary, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Chesterton along the way.

Chesterton

136.8 mi in | ~3h 1m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 30 40.3 mi 52m
US 31 32.9 mi 41m
SR 18 21.2 mi 24m
Indiana Toll Road 15.6 mi 17m
South Wabash Street 11.8 mi 17m
East 1000 North 11.1 mi 15m
North 500 West 6.4 mi 9m
North Wabash Road 4.8 mi 7m
Longest stretch: US 30 — 40.3 mi, about 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on SR 18

21 mi · 24 min · SR 18
2

Turn right onto SR 9; SR 15

1.1 mi · 1 min · South Baldwin Avenue
3

Turn left onto SR 15

0.6 mi · 49 sec · North Wabash Avenue
4

Continue on SR 15

4.8 mi · 7 min · North Wabash Road
5

Continue on SR 15

0.4 mi · 38 sec · County Road 187 West
6

Continue on SR 15

12 mi · 17 min · South Wabash Street
7

Turn left onto SR 15

0.2 mi · 22 sec · West Market Street
8

Turn right onto SR 15

1.5 mi · 2 min · South Cass Street
9

Continue on SR 15

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Cass Street
10

Continue on SR 15

0.4 mi · 38 sec · County Road 500 West
11

Continue on SR 15

6.4 mi · 9 min · North 500 West
12

Turn left onto SR 16

3.1 mi · 5 min · State Road 16
13

Continue on SR 16

11 mi · 15 min · East 1000 North
14

Turn right onto US 31

33 mi · 41 min · US 31
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 49 sec
Toward US 30 West: Valparaiso
16

Merge onto US 30

40 mi · 52 min · US 30
17

Take the exit

9.2 mi · 13 min
Toward SR 49 North, SR 2 East: Valparaiso, Chesterton
18

Turn left

394 ft · 9 sec
Toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road
19

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 18 sec · this road
20

Continue on this road

411 ft · 10 sec · this road
Toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road
21

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago Use the straight lane.
22

Merge onto I 80; I 90

16 mi · 17 min · Indiana Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Exit 14B Toward SR 53: Broadway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Turn left onto SR 53

0.1 mi · 29 sec · Broadway
25

Turn right onto US 12; US 20

0.3 mi · 30 sec · West 4th Avenue
26

Turn left onto Madison Street

0.7 mi · 2 min · Madison Street
27

Turn right onto 10th Place

0.2 mi · 57 sec · 10th Place
28

Arrive at destination

10th Place

Trip Plan

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 82 miles from Montpelier, IN, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.3 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 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 82 miles or 1h 50m 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 58m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gary, IN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Montpelier, 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 Montpelier, IN

This is one driving day of about 163.9 miles and 3h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Montpelier, 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 US 30 for about 40.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 82 mi from Montpelier, IN · 1h 50m into the drive

Downtown chicago-il

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chicago, IL

82 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chicago, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82 miles from Montpelier, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Gary, IN

The final approach into Gary, 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 Gary, 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...

5 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 near mile 147
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

$25.62 one way

$51.25 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $28.13 $56.27
premium $4.89 $31.54 $63.08
diesel $5.61 $36.19 $72.37

Estimated Tolls: $1.09

Indiana Toll Road (15.6 mi) $1.09

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

$26

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

4 DC fast chargers · Coverage: good

ChargePoint Charging Station

Marion, Indiana

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

EV Connect Charging Station

Rochester, Indiana

EV Connect

1 DCFC

Red E Charging Station

Rochester, Indiana

Other

1 DCFC

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Rochester, Indiana

InCharge

1 DCFC

ChargePoint: 1 EV Connect: 1 Other: 1 InCharge: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.2 0 $17.21 $7.87
Efficient EV 41 0 $14.34 $6.56
EV Truck/SUV 65.6 0 $22.95 $10.49

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Montpelier, IN

Afternoon in Montpelier on Thursday

Local time

1:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gary, IN

Afternoon in Gary on Thursday

Local time

12:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°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 earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

12 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

3h 38m 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 Montpelier, IN to Gary, IN covers 163.9 miles and takes about 3h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 30, US 31, SR 18. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 82 miles from Montpelier, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.62 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 163.9 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: at 136.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Montpelier, IN to Gary, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Chesterton along the way.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Gary, IN

Troy, IN 304.7 mi · 6h 2m Prairie, IN 297.9 mi · 6h 19m Clarksville, IN 261 mi · 4h 54m Johnson, IN 259.2 mi · 5h 35m

More from Montpelier, IN

Bloomington, IN 144.6 mi · 2h 46m Carmel, IN 86.3 mi · 1h 27m

More trips to Gary, IN

Santa Claus, IN 292.2 mi Jasper, IN 268.4 mi New Albany, IN 267.2 mi Johnson, IN 261 mi Vevay, IN 254.8 mi Union, IN 248.8 mi
Weekend drives from Montpelier, IN Scenic drives in IN

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IN road trips.

Explore maps for Montpelier, IN or Gary, IN on MapSof.net.