How far is East Chicago, IN from Portage, IN?
The driving distance from East Chicago, IN to Portage, IN is about 17.6 miles (28.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 15 miles (24.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 43m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 21m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
The most populous city in Lake County, Indiana.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between East Chicago and Portage.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Chicago and Portage.
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1
Start on East Columbus Drive
1.2 mi · 2 min · East Columbus Drive
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Cline Avenue
7 m · 1 sec · Cline Avenue
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3
Exit the roundabout onto Cline Avenue
747 ft · 13 sec · Cline Avenue
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4
Take the ramp slight left toward SR 912 South: Cline Avenue
1069 ft · 26 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Cline Avenue
1798 ft · 24 sec · Cline Avenue
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 Toll Road: Gary Avenue
845 ft · 21 sec
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7
Turn straight onto Cline Avenue
2242 ft · 45 sec · Cline Avenue
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8
Keep slight left
73 m · 5 sec
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9
Turn left onto Gary Road
590 ft · 16 sec · Gary Road
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10
Take the ramp straight toward I 90
2772 ft · 1 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 East
1.3 km · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road
13.1 mi · 15 min · Indiana Toll Road
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Portage
1.4 km · 2 min
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14
Keep slight left
47 m · 11 sec
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15
Turn left onto Willowcreek Road
3071 ft · 1 min · Willowcreek Road
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16
Turn left onto Central Avenue
1906 ft · 52 sec · Central Avenue
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between East Chicago and Portage.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Indiana Toll Road
Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road
13.1 mi · 00h 15m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving East Chicago and Showers And Thunderstorms near Portage.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from East Chicago to Portage?
The road trip is about 17.6 miles (28.3 km) and usually takes 00h 21m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Gary is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.4 miles from East Chicago and 8.1 miles from Portage.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 15 miles (24.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:46 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.34 one way or $4.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around East Chicago and Showers And Thunderstorms near Portage.
Stop Ideas Near Gary
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Gary.
Gary, IN
Hammond–Whiting station
Dyer station
Homewood
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between East Chicago and Portage. Straight-line distance: 15.04 mi (24.21 km).
#1 East Chicago
City in Lake County, Indiana, United States
| Population | 27,742 |
| Coordinates | 41.6392000, -87.4547600 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Portage
The second most populous city in Porter County, Indiana.
| Population | 90,543 |
| Coordinates | 41.5758700, -87.1761500 |
| Altitude | 194 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central Avenue (-87.17615, 41.575874)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 28 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.34 | $4.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.64 | $5.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.89 | $5.77 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.29 | $6.58 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.