How far is Gary, IN from Bolivar, IN?

The driving distance from Gary, IN to Bolivar, IN is about 115.5 miles (185.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 91.9 miles (147.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 17m 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
115.45 mi
02h 38m
Flight
91.88 mi
147.86 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gary.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
91.88 mi
Kilometers
147.86 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
115.45 mi
Kilometers
185.8 km
Drive Time
02h 38m

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 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bolivar
Thu, Apr 16, 12:47 PM EDT
Return by in Gary
Thu, Apr 16, 2:25 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gary
2026-04-16T09:08
Arrive Bolivar
Thu, Apr 16, 11:47 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
11:39 AM to 1:39 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Gary
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

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 Gary
57.7 mi
01h 19m
To Bolivar
57.8 mi
01h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph WSW
Destination
73°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 10th Place

    77 m · 16 sec · 10th Place

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Harrison Boulevard

    638 ft · 18 sec · Harrison Boulevard

  3. 3

    Continue on Harrison Street

    2542 ft · 1 min · Harrison Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto West 5th Avenue

    2766 ft · 1 min · 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

    15.5 mi · 18 min · Indiana Toll Road

  8. 8

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

    1.2 km · 2 min

  9. 9

    Turn right

    9 mi · 12 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 East: Plymouth

    1548 ft · 39 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto East Morthland Drive

    40.3 mi · 52 min · East Morthland Drive

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 31 South

    2480 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    4.1 mi · 5 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    1.4 km · 1 min

  15. 15

    Turn slight right

    156 m · 7 sec

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    14.4 mi · 18 min

  17. 17

    Turn left onto West 6th Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · West 6th Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1222 ft · 36 sec · Main Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto 602 East 9th Street

    1 mi · 2 min · 602 East 9th Street

  20. 20

    Continue on East 9th Street

    11.2 mi · 17 min · East 9th Street

  21. 21

    Continue straight

    11.5 mi · 17 min

  22. 22

    Turn right

    2.5 mi · 4 min

  23. 23

    Turn left onto East 950 North

    1760 ft · 1 min · East 950 North

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East 950 North

Car Route Details

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

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
24 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Morthland Drive
40.3 mi · 35%
East 9th Street
22.6 mi · 20%
US 31 South
19.8 mi · 17%
Indiana Toll Road
15.5 mi · 13%
West 6th Street
1.27 mi · 1%
602 East 9th Street
1.02 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

East Morthland Drive

Merge slight left onto East Morthland Drive

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 38m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.6 mi
91.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Koontz Lake
01h 19m from Gary
Leave By
1:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 115.5 miles (185.8 km) and usually takes 02h 38m 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 57.7 miles from Gary and 57.8 miles from Bolivar.

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

The direct path is about 91.9 miles (147.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.35 one way or $30.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.2 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

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

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 Gary and Bolivar. Straight-line distance: 91.88 mi (147.86 km).

Gary

#1 Gary

The most populous city in Lake County, Indiana.

Population74,693
Coordinates41.5933700, -87.3464300
Altitude183
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Bolivar

Human settlement in United States of America

Population1,216
Coordinates40.9642100, -85.7874900
Altitude241
CountryUnited States
Start: Gary (-87.34643, 41.59337)
End: Bolivar (-85.78749, 40.96421)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 186 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.07 gal
15.42 L · about $15.35
Round trip
$30.70
8.14 gal · 30.84 L
Estimated CO2
36.2 kg one way
Round trip: 72.3 kg / 159 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $15.35 $30.70
Mid-grade $4.25 $17.31 $34.62
Premium $4.65 $18.94 $37.88
Diesel $5.30 $21.59 $43.17

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 16, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Gary, IN and Bolivar, IN. The current time in Gary is 09:08:23, although it is 10:08:23 in Bolivar.

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.