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Trip from Portage, IN to Hamilton, IN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 11m

Distance

109.3 mi

176 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 2m ★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 16m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 29m
8 PM
2h 6m

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
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city in Porter County, Indiana, United States

Portage, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Hamilton, IN, IN

Hamilton, IN

Petra Reid

Trip Overview

The drive from Portage, IN to Hamilton, IN covers 109.3 miles and takes about 2h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, State Road 38, I 80 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 90.5 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.09 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.

Midpoint

54.7 miles from Portage, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway 90.5 mi 1h 38m
State Road 38 4.9 mi 8m
I 80 3.7 mi 5m
Indiana Toll Road 2.6 mi 3m
West County Road 400 North 2.1 mi 3m
West Jackson Street 1.1 mi 1m
SR 38 0.7 mi 1m
Walnut Street 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway — 90.5 mi, about 1h 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Portage, IN and Hamilton, IN.

1

Start on Central Avenue

0.4 mi · 53 sec · Central Avenue
2

Turn right onto Willowcreek Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Willowcreek Road
Use the right lane.
3

Take the ramp

434 ft · 11 sec
Toward I 80, I 90
4

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
5

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 47 sec · this road
6

Merge onto I 80; I 90

2.6 mi · 3 min · Indiana Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit onto I 80

0.6 mi · 1 min · I 80
Exit 21 Toward I 80 West, I 94, US 6: Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

0.1 mi · 13 sec · I 80
Toward I 94 West, I 80 West, SR 51, US 6 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

2.9 mi · 4 min · I 80
Toward I 94 West, I 80 West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 51 sec
Exit 12 Toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, Indianapolis Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 9 sec
Toward I 65 South, I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Indianapolis, Chicago
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 59 sec
Toward I 65 South: Indianapolis Use the slight left lane.
13

Merge onto I 65

90 mi · 1 hr 38 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 56 sec
Exit 168 Toward SR 38: Dayton, Lafayette Use the slight right lane.
15

Turn left onto SR 38

0.7 mi · 1 min · SR 38
16

Continue on SR 38

0.6 mi · 1 min · Walnut Street
17

Continue on SR 38

4.9 mi · 8 min · State Road 38
18

Continue on SR 38

1.1 mi · 1 min · West Jackson Street
19

Continue on SR 38

2.1 mi · 3 min · West County Road 400 North
20

Turn left onto North County Road 600 West

51 ft · 2 sec · North County Road 600 West
21

Arrive at destination

North County Road 600 West

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 54.7 miles from Portage, IN, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.5 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 24 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 54.7 miles or 1h 4m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 42m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Portage, 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 Portage, IN

This is one driving day of about 109.3 miles and 2h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Portage, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway for about 90.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

census-designated place in Indiana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Shelby, IN

55 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 Heights, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Shelby, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 54.7 miles from Portage, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.5 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Merrillville, Indiana

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 15.6

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+12195001370

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lafayette, Indiana

2.4 mi

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 15.6

Merrillville, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+12195001370

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 93.7

Lafayette, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+17654477700

Visit website

T's Pizza & Family Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 7.8

Hobart, Indiana

Hours: 4–10:30 pm

+12199422424

Visit website

FLUID Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 15.6

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12192132044

Visit website

RedSeven Kitchen + Cocktail

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 93.7

Lafayette, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+17657427337

Visit website

TC's Restaurant & Tavern

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 93.7

Battle Ground, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17655672838

Visit website

Smalltown Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 15.6

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12193233948

Visit website

Sip Coffee House & Artisan Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 15.6

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12196629165

Visit website

Cafe Fresco

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 15.6

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12193108078

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 4 and 99.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
4 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 80

Take the exit onto I 80 toward I 80 West, I 94, US 6: Des Moines

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 21 Toward I 80 West, I 94, US 6: Des Moines
8
4.6 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 80

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 94 West, I 80 West, SR 51, US 6 East

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 94 West, I 80 West, SR 51, US 6 East
8
4.7 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 80

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 toward I 94 West, I 80 West

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 94 West, I 80 West
8
7.7 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, Indianapolis

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 12 Toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, Indianapolis
8
99.4 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in

Take the exit toward SR 38: Dayton, Lafayette

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 168 Toward SR 38: Dayton, Lafayette

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.09 one way

$34.18 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 38 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $18.76 $37.52
premium $4.89 $21.03 $42.07
diesel $5.61 $24.13 $48.26

Estimated Tolls: $0.18

Indiana Toll Road (2.6 mi) $0.18

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

$17

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 38.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 32.8 0 $11.48 $5.25
Efficient EV 27.3 0 $9.56 $4.37
EV Truck/SUV 43.7 0 $15.30 $7.00

Gas CO2

38 kg

EV CO2

13 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Portage, IN

Afternoon in Portage on Saturday

Local time

3:54 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hamilton, IN

Afternoon in Hamilton on Saturday

Local time

4:54 PM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

72°F

Shelby, IN

55 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

1 hour later

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

Temperature spread

3 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

2h 11m 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.

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...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour $20
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.

What kind of drive is this?

109.3 mi in 2h 11m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.5 mi on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 around 4 miles in near I 80.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 109.3 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 4 miles (I 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.7 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Portage, IN and Hamilton, IN, road signs point toward Indianapolis, Chicago and Lafayette.

Indianapolis

7.7 mi in | ~12m

Chicago

8.3 mi in | ~12m

Lafayette

99.4 mi in | ~1h 53m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 109.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 90.5 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.18 in tolls one way, starting with Indiana Toll Road. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Hamilton, IN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 4 miles (I 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.7 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Indiana Dunes National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hamilton, IN before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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