How far is Gary, IN from Sparta, IN?
The driving distance from Gary, IN to Sparta, IN is about 241.4 miles (388.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 210.3 miles (338.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 16m 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 04h 38m.
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.
Human settlement in Boone County, Indiana, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gary and Sparta.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gary and Sparta.
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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 · 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
128.7 mi · 2 hr 20 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
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11
Keep slight right
5.1 mi · 6 min
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12
Merge slight right
12.5 mi · 15 min
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13
Merge slight right
10.5 mi · 12 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 East, US 421 South: Cincinnati, Southeastern Avenue
742 ft · 16 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 74 East, US 421 South: Cincinnati
62.6 mi · 1 hr 8 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward SR 101: Sunman, Milan
1295 ft · 32 sec
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17
Turn right
8.6 mi · 14 min
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18
Turn left
3 mi · 4 min
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19
Turn left onto West Indian Trail
5.2 mi · 8 min · West Indian Trail
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20
Turn left
57 m · 15 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
1 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gary and Sparta.
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.
Sunny leaving Gary and Clear near Sparta.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gary to Sparta?
The road trip is about 241.4 miles (388.5 km) and usually takes 04h 38m 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?
Ulen is a useful midpoint, sitting about 120.7 miles from Gary and 120.7 miles from Sparta.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 210.3 miles (338.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.1 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 7:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.29 one way or $66.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75.7 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Gary and Sparta, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gary and Clear near Sparta.
Stop Ideas Near Ulen
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 Ulen.
Crawfordsville
Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana
Indianapolis Union Station
Lafayette station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gary and Sparta. Straight-line distance: 210.3 mi (338.45 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 Sparta
Unincorporated community in Dearborn County, Indiana, United States
| Population | 2,992 |
| Coordinates | 39.1053300, -85.0452300 |
| Altitude | 279 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sparta (-85.04523, 39.10533)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 389 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.91 | $33.29 | $66.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.49 | $38.22 | $76.44 |
| Premium | $5.01 | $42.71 | $85.42 |
| Diesel | $6.64 | $56.56 | $113.11 |
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 · Oct 13, 2026