How far is Portage, IN from East Chicago, IN?
The driving distance from Portage, IN to East Chicago, IN is about 18.5 miles (29.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 15 miles (24.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 24m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
The most populous city in Lake County, Indiana.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Portage and East Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portage and East Chicago.
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1
Start on Central Avenue
1861 ft · 53 sec · Central Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Willowcreek Road
2930 ft · 1 min · Willowcreek Road
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3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80, I 90
132 m · 11 sec
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4
Keep slight right
673 ft · 16 sec
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5
Continue straight
1945 ft · 47 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road
13 mi · 14 min · Indiana Toll Road
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7
Take the exit slight right toward SR 912 South: Gary, Cline Avenue
1 km · 1 min
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8
Continue straight
1.1 km · 2 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on SR 912 North, SR 312 North: Cline Avenue, Chicago Avenue, Gary/Chicago International Airport
60 m · 5 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Cline Avenue
2574 ft · 52 sec · Cline Avenue
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11
Take the ramp slight left toward SR 912 North: Cline Avenue
684 ft · 17 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Cline Avenue
1730 ft · 24 sec · Cline Avenue
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 West: Airport Road
1635 ft · 38 sec
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14
Turn left onto Airport Road
636 ft · 15 sec · Airport Road
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15
Keep slight right to continue on US 12 West, SR 912 North: Columbus Drive, Cline Avenue
42 m · 2 sec
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Columbus Drive
46 m · 3 sec · East Columbus Drive
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17
Exit the roundabout onto East Columbus Drive
1.2 mi · 2 min · East Columbus Drive
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Columbus Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Portage and East Chicago.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Indiana Toll Road
Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road
13 mi · 00h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Portage and Showers And Thunderstorms near East Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Portage to East Chicago?
The road trip is about 18.5 miles (29.7 km) and usually takes 00h 24m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Gary is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.2 miles from Portage and 9.3 miles from East Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 15 miles (24.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.45 one way or $4.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Portage and Showers And Thunderstorms near East Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Gary
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 Gary.
Gary, IN
Hammond–Whiting station
Dyer station
Homewood
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Portage and East Chicago. Straight-line distance: 15.04 mi (24.21 km).
#1 Portage
The second most populous city in Porter County, Indiana.
| Population | 90,543 |
| Coordinates | 41.5758700, -87.1761500 |
| Altitude | 194 |
| Country | United States |
#2 East Chicago
City in Lake County, Indiana, United States
| Population | 27,742 |
| Coordinates | 41.6392000, -87.4547600 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Chicago (-87.45476, 41.6392)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 30 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.45 | $4.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.76 | $5.53 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.03 | $6.05 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.45 | $6.90 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.