Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Portage, IN to Madison, IN

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 3m

Distance

248.1 mi

399 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 50m ★
6 AM
5h 3m
8 AM
5h 30m
10 AM
5h 13m
12 PM
5h 10m
3 PM
5h 14m
5 PM
5h 29m
8 PM
4h 55m

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 Porter County, Indiana, United States

Portage, IN

Wikimedia Commons

county seat of Jefferson County, Indiana, United States

Madison, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Portage, IN to Madison, IN covers 248.1 miles and takes about 5h 3m 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, I 65, SR 3 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 130 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.79 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

124.1 miles from Portage, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 3m. Total distance: 248.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Portage, IN to Madison, IN covers 248.1 miles and takes about 5h 3m, 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 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 130 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 4 miles in near I 80.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 21 significant decision points across 248.1 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

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

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
7
8.4 mi into trip | ~13m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Indianapolis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 65 South: Indianapolis

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 Madison, IN, road signs point toward Nashville and Bloomington.

Nashville

199.9 mi in | ~3h 47m

Bloomington

199.9 mi in | ~3h 47m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway 130 mi 2h 21m
I 65 60.9 mi 1h 12m
SR 3 20.2 mi 30m
SR 7 18.6 mi 28m
State Street 3.9 mi 5m
I 80 3.7 mi 5m
Jonathan Moore Pike 2.7 mi 5m
Indiana Toll Road 2.6 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway — 130 mi, about 2h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Portage, IN and Madison, 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

130 mi · 2 hr 21 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 65

17 mi · 22 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on I 65

1.9 mi · 2 min · I 65
Exit 112A Toward I 70 East: Dayton
16

Keep slight left at fork onto I 65

42 mi · 47 min · I 65
Use the slight left lane.
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Exit 68 Toward SR 46: Columbus, Nashville, Bloomington
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
19

Merge onto SR 46

2.7 mi · 5 min · Jonathan Moore Pike
20

Continue on SR 46

3.9 mi · 5 min · State Street
21

Continue on SR 7

18 mi · 28 min · SR 7
22

Turn slight left onto SR 3; SR 7

286 ft · 4 sec · One Street
23

Continue on SR 3; SR 7

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Jackson Street
24

Turn straight onto SR 3; SR 7

0.3 mi · 27 sec · SR 3; SR 7
25

Keep slight left at fork onto SR 3; SR 7

20 mi · 29 min · SR 3; SR 7
26

Turn slight right onto SR 7

425 ft · 7 sec · SR 7
27

Turn right onto SR 7

1.7 mi · 2 min · Cragmont Street
28

Turn left onto SR 56

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
29

Turn right onto West Street

184 ft · 9 sec · West Street
30

Turn left

71 ft · 5 sec
31

Arrive at destination

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 124.1 miles from Portage, IN, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130 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 55 miles or 1h 4m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 124.1 miles or 2h 19m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 54m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madison, 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 248.1 miles and 5h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Portage, 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 Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway for about 130 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 124.1 mi from Portage, IN · 2h 19m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Indianapolis, IN

124 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.

Popular next leg

Indianapolis, IN to Madison, IN

92 mi · 2h 7m

Pacing Suggestions

Orland Park, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mulberry, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 124.1 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 130 miles.

Arriving in Madison, IN

The final approach into Madison, 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 Madison, IN.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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...

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.79 one way

$77.58 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $42.59 $85.17
premium $4.89 $47.74 $95.49
diesel $5.61 $54.78 $109.55

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

$39

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 86.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 74.4 0 $26.05 $11.91
Efficient EV 62 0 $21.71 $9.92
EV Truck/SUV 99.2 1 $34.73 $15.88

Gas CO2

87 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 Thursday

Local time

3:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Madison, IN

Afternoon in Madison on Thursday

Local time

4:46 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°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 later

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

Temperature spread

24 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

5h 3m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Portage, IN to Madison, IN covers 248.1 miles and takes about 5h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, I 65, SR 3. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 124.1 miles from Portage, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.79 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 248.1 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 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.
Between Portage, IN and Madison, IN, road signs point toward Nashville and Bloomington.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Indiana Dunes National Park.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Madison, IN to Portage, IN

Plan the drive back the other way.

246.1 mi 5h 1m

Continue From Madison, IN

South Bend, IN 232.5 mi · 5h 6m Evansville, IN 158.8 mi · 3h 14m Carmel, IN 108.4 mi · 2h 26m Fishers, IN 105.9 mi · 2h 22m

More from Portage, IN

Center, IN 320.3 mi · 5h 59m Oak Grove, IN 310.2 mi · 6h 48m Prairie, IN 303.4 mi · 6h 25m Springfield, IN 291.8 mi · 6h 19m Ferdinand, IN 285.7 mi · 5h 31m Evansville, IN 279.1 mi · 5h 56m

More trips to Madison, IN

Evansville, IN 158.8 mi Carmel, IN 110.8 mi Fishers, IN 108.2 mi Indianapolis, IN 92 mi Bloomington, IN 82.6 mi Greenwood, IN 80.8 mi
Overnight trips from Portage, IN Scenic drives in IN

Explore more options from Portage, IN or browse trips ending in Madison, IN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IN road trips.

Explore maps for Portage, IN or Madison, IN on MapSof.net.