How far is Columbia, IN from Gary, IN?
The driving distance from Columbia, IN to Gary, IN is about 216.7 miles (348.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 179 miles (288 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 14m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 03h 37m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Gary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Gary.
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1
Start on South County Road 375 West
2 m · 6 sec · South County Road 375 West
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2
Turn left onto West Columbia Road
3.7 mi · 9 min · West Columbia Road
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3
Continue on South 650 W
2.1 mi · 5 min · South 650 W
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4
Turn left
10.1 mi · 15 min
-
5
Turn slight right onto West 3rd Street
1802 ft · 30 sec · West 3rd Street
-
6
Continue on United States Highway 52
17.9 mi · 27 min · United States Highway 52
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Main Street
48 m · 3 sec · East Main Street
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8
Exit the roundabout onto East Main Street
14.3 mi · 22 min · East Main Street
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9
Turn left onto I 465 North, US 52 West
2134 ft · 52 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
9.8 mi · 11 min
-
11
Keep slight left
1477 ft · 20 sec
-
12
Continue on I-465 WB
1.3 km · 57 sec · I-465 WB
-
13
Continue straight
10.9 mi · 13 min
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 865 West: Chicago
5 mi · 6 min
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15
Merge slight left
12.3 mi · 13 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward US 52 West
1281 ft · 16 sec
-
17
Keep slight left
786 ft · 10 sec
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18
Merge slight left
116.8 mi · 2 hr 7 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
1.4 mi · 3 min
-
20
Merge slight left onto Borman Expressway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Borman Expressway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Grant Street
1831 ft · 45 sec
-
22
Keep slight right
103 m · 9 sec
-
23
Turn straight onto Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
-
24
Turn right onto West 15th Avenue
2432 ft · 56 sec · West 15th Avenue
-
25
Turn left onto Harrison Boulevard
2011 ft · 1 min · Harrison Boulevard
-
26
Turn right onto 10th Place
77 m · 11 sec · 10th Place
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 10th Place
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Gary.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 52 West
Merge slight left
117 mi · 02h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Columbia and Sunny near Gary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Gary?
The road trip is about 216.7 miles (348.8 km) and usually takes 03h 37m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Clarks Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105.1 miles from Columbia and 111.6 miles from Gary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 179 miles (288 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:46 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.85 one way or $57.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Columbia and Gary, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Columbia and Sunny near Gary.
Stop Ideas Near Clarks Hill
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town of Mulberry - Town Hall & Municipal Utilities
Dayton Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Clarks Hill.
Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana
Lafayette station
Crawfordsville
Indianapolis Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Gary. Straight-line distance: 178.93 mi (287.96 km).
#1 Columbia
County seat in Indiana
| Population | 9,416 |
| Coordinates | 39.5764400, -85.2071900 |
| Altitude | 303 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gary
The most populous city in Lake County, Indiana.
| Population | 74,693 |
| Coordinates | 41.5933700, -87.3464300 |
| Altitude | 183 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-87.346439, 41.59327)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 349 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $28.85 | $57.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $32.54 | $65.07 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $35.60 | $71.21 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $40.58 | $81.15 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.