How far is Akron, IN from Gary, IN?

The driving distance from Akron, IN to Gary, IN is about 97.5 miles (156.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 78.4 miles (126.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
97.52 mi
02h 03m
Flight
78.43 mi
126.22 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Akron.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
78.43 mi
Kilometers
126.22 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
97.52 mi
Kilometers
156.94 km
Drive Time
02h 03m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Gary
Tue, May 5, 4:44 AM CDT
Return by in Akron
Tue, May 5, 7:47 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Akron
2026-05-05T03:41
Arrive Gary
Tue, May 5, 5:44 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:03 AM to 11:03 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:24 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Akron
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Koontz Lake
IN

City in Indiana, United States of America

From Akron
49.6 mi
01h 01m
To Gary
47.9 mi
01h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 mph W
Destination
51°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Akron and Gary.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Akron and Gary.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    20 m · 7 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Mishawaka Street

    54 m · 7 sec · South Mishawaka Street

  3. 3

    Turn left

    10.4 mi · 16 min

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1222 ft · 36 sec · Main Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto West 6th Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · West 6th Street

  6. 6

    Turn right

    19.8 mi · 25 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West: Valparaiso

    1453 ft · 49 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    40.3 mi · 52 min

  9. 9

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

    9.2 mi · 13 min

  10. 10

    Turn left onto I 80, I 90: Toll Road

    120 m · 10 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    757 ft · 18 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on I 80, I 90: Toll Road

    125 m · 10 sec

  13. 13

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

    1246 ft · 31 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road

    15.6 mi · 18 min · Indiana Toll Road

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 53: Broadway

    2139 ft · 56 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Broadway

    549 ft · 30 sec · Broadway

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West 4th Avenue

    1347 ft · 30 sec · West 4th Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Madison Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · Madison Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto 10th Place

    1298 ft · 57 sec · 10th Place

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 10th Place

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Akron and Gary.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
20 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 30 West
40.6 mi · 42%
Indiana Toll Road
15.6 mi · 16%
SR 49 North
9.22 mi · 9%
West 6th Street
1.25 mi · 1%
Madison Street
0.74 mi · 1%
SR 53
0.41 mi
Longest Stretch

US 30 West

Merge slight left

40.3 mi · 00h 52m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 03m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.1 mi
78.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Koontz Lake
01h 01m from Akron
Leave By
2:24 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Akron and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Gary.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Akron to Gary?

The road trip is about 97.5 miles (156.9 km) and usually takes 02h 03m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Koontz Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.6 miles from Akron and 47.9 miles from Gary.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 78.4 miles (126.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:24 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.97 one way or $25.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.6 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Akron and Gary, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Akron and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Gary.

Stop Ideas Near Koontz Lake

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Koontz Lake, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Koontz Lake.

RAIL

South Bend station

33 mi away
2702 West Washington Avenue
RAIL

New Buffalo, Michigan

46 mi away
517 South Whittaker Street
RAIL

New Buffalo

47 mi away
226 North Whittaker Street
RAIL

Michigan City

49 mi away
100 Washington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Akron and Gary. Straight-line distance: 78.43 mi (126.22 km).

Akron

#1 Akron

Town in Fulton County, Indiana, United States

Population1,103
Coordinates41.0383800, -86.0280500
Altitude259
CountryUnited States
Gary

#2 Gary

The most populous city in Lake County, Indiana.

Population74,693
Coordinates41.5933700, -87.3464300
Altitude183
CountryUnited States
Start: (-86.028053, 41.038341)
End: (-87.346439, 41.59327)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 157 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.44 gal
13.03 L · about $12.97
Round trip
$25.94
6.88 gal · 26.06 L
Estimated CO2
30.6 kg one way
Round trip: 61.1 kg / 135 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.97 $25.94
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.63 $29.26
Premium $4.65 $16.01 $32.02
Diesel $5.30 $18.25 $36.49

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Indiana · May 05, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Akron, IN and Gary, IN. The current time in Akron is 03:41:50, although it is 02:41:50 in Gary.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.