How far is Gary, IN from Santa Claus, IN?
The driving distance from Gary, IN to Santa Claus, IN is about 291.2 miles (468.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 241.1 miles (388 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 05h 36m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Wayne Township, Marion County, Indiana
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gary and Santa Claus.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gary and Santa Claus.
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1
Start on 10th Place
17 m · 4 sec · 10th Place
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2
Turn right onto Harrison Street
146 m · 26 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 · 46 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 · 20 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
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10
Merge slight left onto Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
128.7 mi · 2 hr 20 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
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11
Keep slight left
5.9 mi · 7 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 465 South
1210 ft · 30 sec
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13
Continue on I 465 South
1 km · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left
13.7 mi · 16 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 69 South: Evansville
1.3 km · 2 min
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16
Continue straight
47.5 mi · 53 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 69 South: Evansville
27 mi · 29 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 231: Bloomfield, Crane
2002 ft · 42 sec
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19
Keep slight left
32 m · 3 sec
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20
Turn left
17 mi · 23 min
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21
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
919 ft · 12 sec · West Broadway Street
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22
Continue on Mill Street
14.3 mi · 16 min · Mill Street
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23
Continue straight
6.1 mi · 7 min
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24
Turn right onto West 6th Street
20.1 mi · 24 min · West 6th Street
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25
Take the exit slight right
1669 ft · 52 sec
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26
Turn left onto West Christmas Boulevard
3 mi · 5 min · West Christmas Boulevard
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27
Continue on County Road 1600 North
2552 ft · 51 sec · County Road 1600 North
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Road 1600 North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gary and Santa Claus.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
129 mi · 02h 20m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Gary and Sunny near Santa Claus.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gary to Santa Claus?
The road trip is about 291.2 miles (468.6 km) and usually takes 05h 36m 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?
Speedway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 145.6 miles from Gary and 145.5 miles from Santa Claus.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 241.1 miles (388 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.1 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.73 one way or $77.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Gary and Sunny near Santa Claus.
Stop Ideas Near Speedway
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Avon Town Hall Park
Carmel City Hall
Carmel Gazebo
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Speedway.
Indianapolis Union Station
Crawfordsville
Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana
Lafayette station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gary and Santa Claus. Straight-line distance: 241.07 mi (387.97 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 Santa Claus
Town
| Population | 2,404 |
| Coordinates | 38.1200500, -86.9141600 |
| Altitude | 144 |
| Country | United States |
End: Santa Claus (-86.91416, 38.12005)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 469 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.73 | $77.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.68 | $87.36 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $47.80 | $95.59 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $54.47 | $108.94 |
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.