How far is Gary, IN from Prairie, IN?
The driving distance from Gary, IN to Prairie, IN is about 297.9 miles (479.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 255.9 miles (411.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CST.
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 06h 19m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Human settlement in Vermillion County, Indiana, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gary and Prairie.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gary and Prairie.
-
1
Start on 10th Place
17 m · 4 sec · 10th Place
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2
Turn right onto Harrison Street
146 m · 28 sec · Harrison Street
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3
Turn left onto West 11th Avenue
1250 ft · 39 sec · West 11th Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Madison Street
1406 ft · 48 sec · Madison Street
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5
Turn left onto West 15th Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · West 15th Avenue
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6
Continue on Central Avenue
854 ft · 22 sec · Central Avenue
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7
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Drive
2.5 mi · 5 min · Martin Luther King Drive
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8
Turn left onto East Ridge Road
1276 ft · 35 sec · East Ridge Road
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9
Take the ramp slight right
1469 ft · 36 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
37.2 mi · 41 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward SR 14: Winamac
2432 ft · 46 sec
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12
Turn right onto State Road 14
9.2 mi · 13 min · State Road 14
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13
Turn left
25.5 mi · 33 min
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14
Keep slight left
21.6 mi · 27 min
-
15
Continue straight
63.4 mi · 1 hr 21 min
-
16
Continue straight
57.7 mi · 1 hr 17 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right
1162 ft · 28 sec
-
18
Merge slight left
1.5 km · 1 min
-
19
Keep slight right
51.5 mi · 1 hr 4 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward SR 62 West: Lloyd Expressway
1547 ft · 38 sec
-
21
Merge slight left onto East Lloyd Expressway
24.7 mi · 29 min · East Lloyd Expressway
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22
Turn left onto Raben Road
2764 ft · 2 min · Raben Road
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Raben Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gary and Prairie.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
State Road 14
Continue straight
63.4 mi · 01h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Gary and Partly Sunny near Prairie.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gary to Prairie?
The road trip is about 297.9 miles (479.5 km) and usually takes 06h 19m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Fairview Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 149.1 miles from Gary and 148.9 miles from Prairie.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 255.9 miles (411.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 42 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 7:30 AM CST. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.06 one way or $78.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Gary and Partly Sunny near Prairie.
Stop Ideas Near Fairview Park
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 Fairview Park.
Danville, Illinois
Crawfordsville
Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana
Illinois Terminal
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gary and Prairie. Straight-line distance: 255.94 mi (411.9 km).
#1 Gary
The most populous city in Lake County, Indiana.
| Population | 74,693 |
| Coordinates | 41.5933700, -87.3464300 |
| Altitude | 183 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Prairie
City in United States of America
| Population | 207 |
| Coordinates | 37.9214300, -87.9819700 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| Country | United States |
End: Prairie (-87.98197, 37.92143)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 479 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.72 | $39.06 | $78.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.32 | $45.43 | $90.87 |
| Premium | $4.85 | $50.93 | $101.86 |
| Diesel | $6.71 | $70.54 | $141.09 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026