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Trip from Portage, IN to Mount Vernon, IN

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 47m

Distance

121.8 mi

196 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 37m ★
6 AM
2h 48m
8 AM
3h 10m
10 AM
2h 56m
12 PM
2h 53m
3 PM
2h 57m
5 PM
3h 9m
8 PM
2h 41m

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

Downtown Mount Vernon, IN, IN

Mount Vernon, IN

Veronika Andrews

Trip Overview

The drive from Portage, IN to Mount Vernon, IN covers 121.8 miles and takes about 2h 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on East Morthland Drive, US 31, West 1000 North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 40.3 miles on East Morthland Drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.04 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

60.9 miles from Portage, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 47m. Total distance: 121.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (37%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Portage, IN to Mount Vernon, IN covers 121.8 miles and takes about 2h 47m, 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 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Morthland Drive 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. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Airport Road.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 121.8 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Airport Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 56.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

5
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | Airport Road

Turn right onto Airport Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
4
15.5 mi into trip | ~24m in

Take the exit toward US 30 East: Plymouth

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 30 East: Plymouth
4
56.1 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in

Take the exit toward US 31 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 31 South
4
89.2 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in | West 1000 North

Turn left onto West 1000 North

Navigation decision point

4
112.5 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in | SR 15 / West Canal Street

Turn left onto SR 15 / West Canal Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
East Morthland Drive 40.3 mi 52m
US 31 32.5 mi 40m
West 1000 North 11.1 mi 15m
Southwood Drive 7.9 mi 11m
SR 49 6.8 mi 9m
North 500 West 6.4 mi 9m
US 6 5.9 mi 9m
State Road 16 3.1 mi 5m
Longest stretch: East Morthland Drive — 40.3 mi, about 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Central Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · Central Avenue
Use the straight lane.
2

Turn right onto Airport Road

1.7 mi · 3 min · Airport Road
Use the right lane.
3

Turn left onto US 6

5.9 mi · 9 min · US 6
4

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward SR 49 South: Valparaiso
5

Merge onto SR 49

6.8 mi · 9 min · SR 49
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward US 30 East: Plymouth
7

Merge onto US 30; SR 2

40 mi · 52 min · East Morthland Drive
8

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward US 31 South
9

Merge onto US 31

4.1 mi · 5 min · US 31
10

Merge onto US 31

0.9 mi · 1 min · US 31
11

Turn slight right

512 ft · 6 sec
12

Continue on US 31

28 mi · 34 min · US 31
13

Turn left onto West 1000 North

11 mi · 15 min · West 1000 North
14

Continue on SR 16

3.1 mi · 5 min · State Road 16
15

Turn right onto SR 15

6.4 mi · 9 min · North 500 West
16

Continue on SR 15

0.4 mi · 38 sec · County Road 500 West
17

Continue on SR 15

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Cass Street
18

Continue on SR 15

1.6 mi · 2 min · Cass Street
19

Turn left onto SR 15

0.2 mi · 22 sec · West Canal Street
20

Turn right onto SR 13; SR 15

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Wabash Street
21

Turn slight right onto SR 13

7.9 mi · 11 min · Southwood Drive
22

Turn left onto South Old State Road 13

0.2 mi · 20 sec · South Old State Road 13
23

Arrive at destination

South Old State Road 13

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.9 miles from Portage, IN, or about 1h 24m 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 27 miles or 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 60.9 miles or 1h 24m 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 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Vernon, 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 121.8 miles and 2h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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 East Morthland Drive for about 40.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 60.9 mi from Portage, IN · 1h 24m into the drive

city in Marshall County, Indiana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Plymouth, IN

61 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

North Judson, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Plymouth, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 60.9 miles from Portage, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Mount Vernon, IN

The final approach into Mount Vernon, 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 Mount Vernon, 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...

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

$19.04 one way

$38.08 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.91 $41.81
premium $4.89 $23.44 $46.88
diesel $5.61 $26.89 $53.78

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.5 0 $12.79 $5.85
Efficient EV 30.5 0 $10.66 $4.87
EV Truck/SUV 48.7 0 $17.05 $7.80

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

14 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

Portage, IN

Afternoon in Portage on Friday

Local time

1:02 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mount Vernon, IN

Afternoon in Mount Vernon on Friday

Local time

2:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

52°F

Plymouth, IN

61 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

22 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 47m 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 Portage, IN to Mount Vernon, IN covers 121.8 miles and takes about 2h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are East Morthland Drive, US 31, West 1000 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 60.9 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 $19.04 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 121.8 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Airport Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 56.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

The route from Portage, IN to Mount Vernon, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Indiana Dunes National Park.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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