How far is New Castle, IN from Portage, IN?

The driving distance from New Castle, IN to Portage, IN is about 201.7 miles (324.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 147.9 miles (238.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
201.68 mi
03h 17m
Flight
147.92 mi
238.06 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from New Castle.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
147.92 mi
Kilometers
238.06 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
201.68 mi
Kilometers
324.58 km
Drive Time
03h 17m

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 03h 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Portage
Tue, May 26, 12:50 AM CDT
Return by in New Castle
Tue, May 26, 5:08 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave New Castle
2026-05-25T22:32
Arrive Portage
Tue, May 26, 1:50 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
8:18 AM to 10:18 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:24 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in New Castle
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Dayton
IN

Town in Indiana, USA

From New Castle
97.3 mi
01h 38m
To Portage
104.3 mi
01h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Memorial Day

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph ENE
Destination
81°F
Memorial Day

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between New Castle and Portage.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New Castle and Portage.

  1. 1

    Start on South Main Street

    828 ft · 28 sec · South Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Broad Street

    20.1 mi · 30 min · Broad Street

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East State Street

    48 m · 3 sec · East State Street

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto East State Street

    1.9 mi · 3 min · East State Street

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward State Street

    29 m · 2 sec · State Street

  6. 6

    Exit the roundabout onto State Street

    1653 ft · 28 sec · State Street

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    94 m · 5 sec

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout

    109 m · 6 sec

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    119 m · 7 sec

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout

    1515 ft · 30 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    16.8 mi · 18 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight right

    1.6 km · 1 min

  13. 13

    Continue on I 465 South, I 69 South

    1318 ft · 23 sec

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 465 West

    1.2 km · 1 min

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    10.9 mi · 13 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on I 865 West: Chicago

    5 mi · 6 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    12.3 mi · 13 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward US 52 West

    1281 ft · 16 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight left

    786 ft · 10 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left

    117.5 mi · 2 hr 8 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit

    1.4 km · 1 min

  22. 22

    Keep slight right to continue on Central Avenue

    1760 ft · 38 sec

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Central Avenue

    4.3 mi · 9 min · Central Avenue

  24. 24

    Continue on Central Avenue

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Central Avenue

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between New Castle and Portage.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
25 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
14
3 merges, 11 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 52 West
118 mi · 58%
Broad Street
20.1 mi · 10%
State Street
18.6 mi · 9%
I 865 West
17.2 mi · 9%
I 465 West
11.6 mi · 6%
Central Avenue
6.01 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

US 52 West

Merge slight left

118 mi · 02h 08m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 17m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+53.8 mi
147.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dayton
01h 38m from New Castle
Leave By
10:24 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving New Castle and Sunny near Portage.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from New Castle to Portage?

The road trip is about 201.7 miles (324.6 km) and usually takes 03h 17m 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?

Dayton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.3 miles from New Castle and 104.3 miles from Portage.

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

The direct path is about 147.9 miles (238.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.8 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:24 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.85 one way or $53.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.3 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around New Castle and Sunny near Portage.

Stop Ideas Near Dayton

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Dayton and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town of Mulberry - Town Hall & Municipal Utilities
Scenic stop 6.8 mi away

Town of Mulberry - Town Hall & Municipal Utilities

Mulberry , IN
123 S Glick St, Mulberry, IN 46058, United States
Park,Municipal corporation,City or town hall,Public library,Water works
Lafayette City Hall
Meeting point 6 mi away

Lafayette City Hall

Lafayette , IN
20 N 6th St, Lafayette, IN 47901
Rating 5.0/5 3 reviews City Hall,City government office
Morton Community Center
Nearby stop 7 mi away

Morton Community Center

West Lafayette , IN
222 N Chauncey Ave, West Lafayette, IN 47906
Rating 4.1/5 7 reviews Community center,Dance school

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Dayton.

RAIL

Lafayette station

12 mi away
200 North 2nd St.
BUS

Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana

35 mi away
1000 Smith Ave
RAIL

Crawfordsville

38 mi away
Spring and Green Streets
RAIL

Rensselaer

71 mi away
619 North Cullen Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between New Castle and Portage. Straight-line distance: 147.92 mi (238.06 km).

New Castle

#1 New Castle

City in Indiana

Population17,106
Coordinates39.9289400, -85.3702500
Altitude324
CountryUnited States
Portage

#2 Portage

The second most populous city in Porter County, Indiana.

Population90,543
Coordinates41.5758700, -87.1761500
Altitude194
CountryUnited States
Start: South Main Street (-85.370279, 39.92894)
End: Central Avenue (-87.17615, 41.575874)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 325 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.12 gal
26.94 L · about $26.85
Round trip
$53.70
14.24 gal · 53.88 L
Estimated CO2
63.3 kg one way
Round trip: 126.6 kg / 279 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $26.85 $53.70
Mid-grade $4.25 $30.28 $60.56
Premium $4.65 $33.14 $66.27
Diesel $5.30 $37.76 $75.53

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 · May 26, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between New Castle, IN and Portage, IN. The current time in New Castle is 22:32:31, although it is 21:32:31 in Portage.

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.