How far is Portage, IN from Eel River, IN?
The driving distance from Portage, IN to Eel River, IN is about 181 miles (291.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 155.7 miles (250.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 05m 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 02m.
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.
Town in Indiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Frost then Rain Likely
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Portage and Eel River.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portage and Eel River.
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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 · 12 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
2.6 mi · 3 min · Indiana Toll Road
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West, I 94, US 6: Des Moines
3216 ft · 1 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West, I 80 West, SR 51, US 6 East
543 ft · 13 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West, I 80 West
2.9 mi · 4 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, Indianapolis
1 km · 52 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South, I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Indianapolis, Chicago
618 ft · 10 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Indianapolis
2686 ft · 60 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
80.8 mi · 1 hr 28 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward SR 43: Brookston, West Lafayette
2054 ft · 45 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on West Lafayette, Indiana Veterans Home, Purdue University, VA Clinic, Tippecanoe, Battlefield, Prophetstown State Park
65 m · 5 sec
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16
Turn straight onto North River Road
5.8 mi · 10 min · North River Road
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South River Road
37 m · 5 sec · South River Road
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18
Exit the roundabout onto South River Road
1 mi · 2 min · South River Road
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19
Turn left
27 mi · 41 min
-
20
Turn right onto West South Boulevard
13.2 mi · 20 min · West South Boulevard
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21
Turn left
1853 ft · 33 sec
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22
Turn right onto Main Street
2.7 mi · 4 min · Main Street
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23
At the end of the road, turn right
2.6 mi · 4 min
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24
Turn left
37.3 mi · 55 min
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25
Turn right onto West County Road 450 South
1.2 km · 3 min · West County Road 450 South
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26
Turn right onto South County Road 75 West
693 ft · 30 sec · South County Road 75 West
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West County Road 450 South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Portage and Eel River.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
80.8 mi · 01h 28m
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.
Patchy Frost then Rain Likely leaving Portage and Sunny near Eel River.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Portage to Eel River?
The road trip is about 181 miles (291.3 km) and usually takes 04h 02m 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?
Battle Ground is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.5 miles from Portage and 90.4 miles from Eel River.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 155.7 miles (250.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.3 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 8:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.10 one way or $48.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.8 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Portage and Eel River, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost then Rain Likely around Portage and Sunny near Eel River.
Stop Ideas Near Battle Ground
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town of Mulberry - Town Hall & Municipal Utilities
Lafayette City Hall
Morton Community Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Battle Ground.
Lafayette station
Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana
Crawfordsville
Rensselaer
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Portage and Eel River. Straight-line distance: 155.66 mi (250.51 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 Eel River
Unincorporated community in Clay County, Indiana
| Population | 3,888 |
| Coordinates | 39.3233700, -87.1236200 |
| Altitude | 168 |
| Country | United States |
End: Eel River (-87.12362, 39.32337)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 291 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.10 | $48.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.18 | $54.35 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.74 | $59.48 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.89 | $67.79 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.