How far is Jefferson, IN from Gary, IN?

The driving distance from Jefferson, IN to Gary, IN is about 109.1 miles (175.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 99 miles (159.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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
109.14 mi
01h 46m
Flight
99 mi
159.32 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Jefferson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
99 mi
Kilometers
159.32 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
109.14 mi
Kilometers
175.64 km
Drive Time
01h 46m

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 01h 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Gary
Thu, Apr 23, 1:53 AM CDT
Return by in Jefferson
Thu, Apr 23, 4:40 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Jefferson
2026-04-23T01:07
Arrive Gary
Thu, Apr 23, 2:53 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:47 AM to 10:47 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:56 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Jefferson
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Rensselaer
IN

City in Indiana

From Jefferson
55 mi
00h 53m
To Gary
54.1 mi
00h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 17 mph S
Destination
79°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Washington Street

    669 ft · 20 sec · Washington Street

  2. 2

    Turn right

    3.6 mi · 5 min

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right

    1503 ft · 37 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    100.6 mi · 1 hr 50 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago

    1.4 mi · 3 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Borman Expressway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Borman Expressway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward Grant Street

    1831 ft · 45 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right

    103 m · 9 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard

  10. 10

    Turn right onto West 15th Avenue

    2432 ft · 56 sec · West 15th Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Harrison Boulevard

    2011 ft · 1 min · Harrison Boulevard

  12. 12

    Turn right onto 10th Place

    77 m · 11 sec · 10th Place

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 10th Place

Car Route Details

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

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
13 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Washington Street
101 mi · 93%
Borman Expressway
1.44 mi · 1%
I 80 West
1.41 mi · 1%
Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
1.16 mi · 1%
West 15th Avenue
0.46 mi
Grant Street
0.41 mi
Longest Stretch

Washington Street

Merge slight left

101 mi · 01h 50m

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
01h 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.1 mi
99 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rensselaer
00h 53m from Jefferson
Leave By
2:56 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Jefferson and Mostly Sunny near Gary.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 109.1 miles (175.6 km) and usually takes 01h 46m 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?

Rensselaer is a useful midpoint, sitting about 55 miles from Jefferson and 54.1 miles from Gary.

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

The direct path is about 99 miles (159.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:56 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.52 one way or $29.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.2 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Jefferson and Mostly Sunny near Gary.

Stop Ideas Near Rensselaer

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Rensselaer, 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 Rensselaer.

RAIL

Rensselaer

1 mi away
619 North Cullen Street
RAIL

Lafayette station

61 mi away
200 North 2nd St.
RAIL

Kankakee

63 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Dyer station

70 mi away
913 Sheffield Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Jefferson and Gary. Straight-line distance: 99 mi (159.32 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Jefferson

Unincorporated community in Clinton County, Indiana

Population2,523
Coordinates40.2794800, -86.5900000
Altitude262
CountryUnited States
Gary

#2 Gary

The most populous city in Lake County, Indiana.

Population74,693
Coordinates41.5933700, -87.3464300
Altitude183
CountryUnited States
Start: Washington Street (-86.589977, 40.27948)
End: (-87.346439, 41.59327)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 176 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.85 gal
14.58 L · about $14.52
Round trip
$29.04
7.7 gal · 29.16 L
Estimated CO2
34.2 kg one way
Round trip: 68.4 kg / 151 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.52 $29.04
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.37 $32.75
Premium $4.65 $17.92 $35.84
Diesel $5.30 $20.42 $40.84

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

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Jefferson, IN and Gary, IN. The current time in Jefferson is 01:07:07, although it is 00:07:07 in Gary.

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.