Origin
Winona Lake, IN
Night in Winona Lake on Tuesday
Local time
11:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Winona Lake, IN to City of Gary, IN
Data updated 1 second ago
Drive Time
2h 5m
Distance
94.1 mi
152 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 56m
★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
2h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Winona Lake, IN
Tom Fisk
City of Gary, IN
Артем Дворецкий
Trip Overview
This 94.1-mile journey from Winona Lake, IN, to the City of Gary, IN, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, estimated to take around 2 hours and 5 minutes. You'll primarily navigate using Lake City Highway and the Indiana Toll Road, with Parker Street also playing a role. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, this drive through the Midwest is practical and efficient. The route is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a more local, less highway-centric experience. Given its relatively short duration and the estimated fuel cost, this trip is well-suited for a single day's adventure without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
47.1 miles from Winona Lake, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 94.1-mile route, with a 0% highway share. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 65.9 miles on Lake City Highway. This means you'll be engaging with the road frequently, making it a more interactive driving experience than a typical interstate cruise. The profile suggests a drive that will keep you attentive, with numerous changes in direction as you make your way from Winona Lake to Gary.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lake City Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 65.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Argonne Road.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.1 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.3 miles (Argonne Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 67.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Argonne Road
Enter roundabout onto Argonne Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
67.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m 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
76.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m 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
76.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m 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
7
92.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m 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 Winona Lake, IN to City of Gary, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Chesterton along the way.
Chesterton
67.3 mi in
|
~1h 29m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lake City Highway | 65.9 mi | 1h 25m |
| Indiana Toll Road | 15.6 mi | 17m |
| Parker Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Madison Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Argonne Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Park Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West 4th Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West 8th Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Lake City Highway
— 65.9 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winona Lake, IN and City of Gary, IN.
1
Start on Park Avenue
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
Park Avenue
2
Enter roundabout onto Argonne Road
129 ft
·
3 sec
·
Argonne Road
3
Continue on Argonne Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Argonne Road
4
Continue on Parker Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Parker Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto Parker Street
125 ft
·
5 sec
·
Parker Street
6
Turn left onto US 30
66 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
Lake City Highway
7
Take the exit
9.2 mi
·
13 min
Toward SR 49 North, SR 2 East: Valparaiso, Chesterton
8
Turn left
394 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road
9
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
this road
10
Continue on this road
411 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
Toward I 80, I 90: Toll Road
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago
Use the straight lane.
12
Merge onto I 80; I 90
16 mi
·
17 min
·
Indiana Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 14B
Toward SR 53: Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto SR 53
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Broadway
15
Turn right onto US 12; US 20
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
West 4th Avenue
16
Turn left onto Madison Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Madison Street
17
Turn right onto West 8th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
West 8th Avenue
18
Turn left
342 ft
·
25 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour, 94.1-mile trip, departing in the morning will allow you to take advantage of the flexibility offered by a shorter drive. Since there are no planned stops in the data, consider bringing snacks and drinks to minimize the need for unscheduled breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 65.9 miles on Lake City Highway, and plan your refueling accordingly, as the estimated fuel cost is $14. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you should be prepared for frequent adjustments in speed and direction.
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 47.1 miles from Winona Lake, IN, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.9 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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.1 miles or 1h 2m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Gary, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Winona Lake, 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 Winona Lake, IN
This is one driving day of about 94.1 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Winona Lake, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Lake City Highway for about 65.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47.1 mi from Winona Lake, IN · 1h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 47.1 miles from Winona Lake, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Lake City Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.9 miles.
Arriving in City of Gary, IN
The final approach into City of 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 City of Gary, IN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.71 one way
$29.42 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.15 | $32.31 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.11 | $36.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.78 | $41.55 |
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
$15
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.2 | 0 | $9.88 | $4.52 |
| Efficient EV | 23.5 | 0 | $8.23 | $3.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.6 | 0 | $13.17 | $6.02 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
City of Gary, IN
Night in City of Gary on Tuesday
Local time
10:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 15 mph
38% chance
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
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
2h 5m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Winona Lake, IN to City of Gary, IN covers 94.1 miles and takes about 2h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lake City Highway, Indiana Toll Road, Parker Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 47.1 miles from Winona Lake, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.71 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.1 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.3 miles (Argonne Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 67.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Winona Lake, IN to City of Gary, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Chesterton along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From City of Gary, IN
More trips to City of Gary, IN
Explore more options from Winona Lake, IN or browse trips ending in City of Gary, IN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IN road trips.
Explore maps for Winona Lake, IN or City of Gary, IN on MapSof.net.