How far is Portage, IN from Lafayette, IN?

The driving distance from Portage, IN to Lafayette, IN is about 97.1 miles (156.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 81.6 miles (131.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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
97.04 mi
01h 38m
Flight
81.61 mi
131.34 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Portage.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
81.61 mi
Kilometers
131.34 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
97.04 mi
Kilometers
156.17 km
Drive Time
01h 38m

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 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lafayette
Thu, Apr 16, 12:32 AM EDT
Return by in Portage
Thu, Apr 16, 1:11 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Portage
2026-04-15T21:54
Arrive Lafayette
Wed, Apr 15, 11:32 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:39 AM to 12:39 PM EDT

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

Leave by
3:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Portage
9:30 PM CDT
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
Mount Ayr
IN

Human settlement in Newton County, Indiana, United States of America

From Portage
48.5 mi
00h 49m
To Lafayette
48.6 mi
00h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Today

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 9:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SSW
Destination
67°F
Overnight

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 3:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Portage and Lafayette.

  1. 1

    Start on Central Avenue

    1861 ft · 53 sec · Central Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Willowcreek Road

    2930 ft · 1 min · Willowcreek Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 80, I 90

    132 m · 12 sec

  4. 4

    Keep slight right

    673 ft · 16 sec

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    1945 ft · 47 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Indiana Toll Road

  7. 7

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

    3216 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West, I 80 West, SR 51, US 6 East

    543 ft · 13 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West, I 80 West

    2.9 mi · 4 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, Indianapolis

    1 km · 52 sec

  11. 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

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Indianapolis

    2686 ft · 60 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway

    83.9 mi · 1 hr 31 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 25: Delphi, Lafayette

    1911 ft · 44 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Schuyler Avenue

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Schuyler Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto North 18th Street

    1.6 mi · 4 min · North 18th Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto South Street

    151 m · 14 sec · South Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Grant Street

    11 m · 2 sec · Grant Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Douglas Street

    50 m · 13 sec · Douglas Street

  20. 20

    Turn left

    56 m · 13 sec

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
83.9 mi · 86%
I 94 West
3.04 mi · 3%
Indiana Toll Road
2.55 mi · 3%
Schuyler Avenue
1.86 mi · 2%
North 18th Street
1.6 mi · 2%
I 65
0.63 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway

Merge slight left onto Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway

83.9 mi · 01h 31m

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 38m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.5 mi
81.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mount Ayr
00h 49m from Portage
Leave By
3:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Portage and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lafayette.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Portage to Lafayette?

The road trip is about 97.1 miles (156.2 km) and usually takes 01h 38m 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?

Mount Ayr is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.5 miles from Portage and 48.6 miles from Lafayette.

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

The direct path is about 81.6 miles (131.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.90 one way or $25.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.4 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Portage and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lafayette.

Stop Ideas Near Mount Ayr

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

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

RAIL

Rensselaer

12 mi away
619 North Cullen Street
RAIL

Kankakee

51 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Gilman

62 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Dyer station

63 mi away
913 Sheffield Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Portage and Lafayette. Straight-line distance: 81.61 mi (131.34 km).

Portage

#1 Portage

The second most populous city in Porter County, Indiana.

Population90,543
Coordinates41.5758700, -87.1761500
Altitude194
CountryUnited States
Lafayette

#2 Lafayette

The most populous city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.

Population71,484
Coordinates40.4167000, -86.8752900
Altitude211
CountryUnited States
Start: Central Avenue (-87.17615, 41.575874)
End: (-86.875433, 40.416605)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 156 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.42 gal
12.96 L · about $12.90
Round trip
$25.79
6.84 gal · 25.92 L
Estimated CO2
30.4 kg one way
Round trip: 60.8 kg / 134 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.90 $25.79
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.55 $29.09
Premium $4.65 $15.92 $31.83
Diesel $5.30 $18.14 $36.28

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 16, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Portage, IN and Lafayette, IN. The current time in Portage is 21:54:21, although it is 22:54:21 in Lafayette.

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.