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Trip from Plymouth, IN to Gary, IN

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 19m

Distance

68.5 mi

110 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 18 min
4 AM
1h 13m ★
6 AM
1h 19m
8 AM
1h 31m
10 AM
1h 23m
12 PM
1h 22m
3 PM
1h 24m
5 PM
1h 31m
8 PM
1h 15m

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

city in Marshall County, Indiana, United States

Plymouth, IN

Wikimedia Commons

city in Lake County, State of Indiana, United States

Gary, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Plymouth to Gary, you are looking at a straightforward 68.5-mile journey across Northern Indiana. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 19 minutes behind the wheel for this trip, which fits easily into a single day of travel. You will primarily navigate via SR 49 North, I-80, and I-80 West to reach your destination. Budgeting approximately $10 for fuel should cover your needs, making this an economical excursion within the Midwest. Since the entire drive stays within the state of Indiana, you won't have to worry about changing time zones or navigating complex regional shifts. It serves as a practical, efficient connection between these two Midwestern locations.

Drive Character

This 68.5-mile route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. You will find that the road demands your full attention as you transition between local roads and the I-80 corridor. Because the highway share is 0%, the experience feels more grounded in the local landscape than a standard freeway haul. Navigating the turns requires a steady hand, so prepare for a drive that feels more engaging and less monotonous than a straight highway shot. The lack of a long, uninterrupted stretch means you will be consistently adjusting your pace as you move through the Indiana countryside.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
SR 49 North is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Plymouth, IN to Gary, IN is easy. At 1h 19m 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 Plymouth, IN to Gary, IN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
SR 49 North
I 80
I 80 West
Indiana Toll Road
SR 53
Broadway
West 4th Avenue
Madison Street

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: SR 49 North — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West Lincoln Highway

3.9 mi · 6 min · West Lincoln Highway
2

Turn left

35 mi · 44 min
3

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

9.2 mi · 13 min · SR 49 North, SR 2 East: Valparaiso, Chesterton
4

Turn left onto I 80, I 90: Toll Road

394 ft · 10 sec · I 80, I 90: Toll Road
5

Continue straight

0.1 mi · 18 sec
6

Continue on I 80, I 90: Toll Road

410 ft · 10 sec · I 80, I 90: Toll Road
7

Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago

0.2 mi · 31 sec · I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago
8

Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road

16 mi · 17 min · Indiana Toll Road
9

Take the exit slight right toward SR 53: Broadway

0.4 mi · 56 sec · SR 53: Broadway
10

Turn left onto Broadway

0.1 mi · 30 sec · Broadway
11

Turn right onto West 4th Avenue

0.3 mi · 30 sec · West 4th Avenue
12

Turn left onto Madison Street

0.7 mi · 2 min · Madison Street
13

Turn right onto 10th Place

0.2 mi · 57 sec · 10th Place
14

Arrive at your destination

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 34.3 mi from Plymouth, IN · 39m into the drive

city in Porter County, Indiana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Valparaiso, IN

34 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

Kingsford Heights, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Valparaiso, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 34.3 miles from Plymouth, 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.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$10.71 one way

$21.42 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 24 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $11.76 $23.52
premium $4.89 $13.18 $26.36
diesel $5.61 $15.12 $30.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$11

Estimated CO2 emission: 24 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 20.6 0 $7.19 $3.29
Efficient EV 17.1 0 $5.99 $2.74
EV Truck/SUV 27.4 0 $9.59 $4.38

Gas CO2

24 kg

EV CO2

8 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

Plymouth, IN

Late night in Plymouth on Thursday

Local time

3:37 AM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gary, IN

Late night in Gary on Thursday

Local time

2:37 AM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

50°F

Valparaiso, IN

34 mi in

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

1h 19m 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 Plymouth, IN to Gary, IN covers 68.5 miles and takes about 1h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are SR 49 North, I 80, I 80 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.3 miles from Plymouth, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.71 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.
The drive from Plymouth, IN to Gary, IN is easy. At 1h 19m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Plymouth, IN to Gary, IN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Plymouth, IN to Gary, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Gary, IN to Plymouth, IN

Plan the drive back the other way.

66.1 mi 1h 28m

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

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