How far is City of Gary, IN from Wakarusa, IN?

The driving distance from City of Gary, IN to Wakarusa, IN is about 83 miles (133.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 68.6 miles (110.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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
83.03 mi
01h 45m
Flight
68.59 mi
110.38 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from City of Gary.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
68.59 mi
Kilometers
110.38 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
83.03 mi
Kilometers
133.62 km
Drive Time
01h 45m

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 01h 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wakarusa
Wed, Sep 23, 2:18 PM EDT
Return by in City of Gary
Wed, Sep 23, 3:04 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave City of Gary
2026-09-23T11:33
Arrive Wakarusa
Wed, Sep 23, 1:18 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:46 AM to 12:46 PM EDT

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

Leave by
2:58 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in City of Gary
9:30 PM CDT
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
Smith
IN

Unincorporated community in Indiana, United States

From City of Gary
41.4 mi
00h 52m
To Wakarusa
41.6 mi
00h 52m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Wednesday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Sep 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NE
Destination
66°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Sep 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between City of Gary and Wakarusa.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between City of Gary and Wakarusa.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    104 m · 27 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West 8th Avenue

    875 ft · 33 sec · West 8th Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Madison Street

    1992 ft · 1 min · Madison Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto West 5th Avenue

    1347 ft · 35 sec · West 5th Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Broadway

    1020 ft · 36 sec · Broadway

  6. 6

    Take the ramp right toward I 90 East

    2112 ft · 52 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road

    5.4 mi · 6 min · Indiana Toll Road

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 94, US 6, SR 51: Detroit, Lake Station

    851 ft · 21 sec

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    622 ft · 15 sec

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    1977 ft · 48 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94 East: Detroit

    3126 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    23.6 mi · 25 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East, US 35 South: La Porte, South Bend

    2175 ft · 55 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    11.7 mi · 16 min

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    12.5 mi · 16 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East, US 31 South: Mishawaka, Plymouth

    2273 ft · 1 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Saint Joseph Valley Parkway

    18.5 mi · 21 min · Saint Joseph Valley Parkway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 19 South: Wakarusa, Nappanee

    2390 ft · 58 sec

  19. 19

    Turn straight onto South Nappanee Street

    6.4 mi · 9 min · South Nappanee Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto East Waterford Street

    1 mi · 2 min · East Waterford Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Waterford Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between City of Gary and Wakarusa.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 20 East
25 mi · 30%
I 94 East
24.2 mi · 29%
Saint Joseph Valley Parkway
18.5 mi · 22%
South Nappanee Street
6.35 mi · 8%
Indiana Toll Road
5.38 mi · 6%
East Waterford Street
1 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 94 East

Merge slight left

23.6 mi · 00h 25m

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
01h 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.4 mi
68.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Smith
00h 52m from City of Gary
Leave By
2:58 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving City of Gary and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Wakarusa.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from City of Gary to Wakarusa?

The road trip is about 83 miles (133.6 km) and usually takes 01h 45m 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?

Smith is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41.4 miles from City of Gary and 41.6 miles from Wakarusa.

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

The direct path is about 68.6 miles (110.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.4 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:58 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.72 one way or $23.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around City of Gary and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Wakarusa.

Stop Ideas Near Smith

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Smith, 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 Smith.

RAIL

New Buffalo, Michigan

10 mi away
517 South Whittaker Street
RAIL

New Buffalo

11 mi away
226 North Whittaker Street
RAIL

Michigan City

20 mi away
100 Washington St.
RAIL

South Bend station

32 mi away
2702 West Washington Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between City of Gary and Wakarusa. Straight-line distance: 68.59 mi (110.38 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 City of Gary

The most populous city in Lake County, Indiana.

Population80,294
Coordinates41.5956000, -87.3452100
Altitude185
CountryUnited States
Wakarusa

#2 Wakarusa

City in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States of America

Population1,848
Coordinates41.5361600, -86.0208300
Altitude258
CountryUnited States
Start: City of Gary (-87.34521, 41.5956)
End: Wakarusa (-86.02083, 41.53616)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 134 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 39m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.93 gal
11.09 L · about $11.72
Round trip
$23.44
5.86 gal · 22.18 L
Estimated CO2
26 kg one way
Round trip: 52.1 kg / 115 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.00 $11.72 $23.44
Mid-grade $4.57 $13.39 $26.77
Premium $5.11 $14.97 $29.94
Diesel $6.91 $20.26 $40.52

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 · Sep 23, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between City of Gary, IN and Wakarusa, IN. The current time in City of Gary is 11:33:01, although it is 12:33:01 in Wakarusa.

Distance to Other Cities

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