How far is Portage, IN from Lowell, IN?
The driving distance from Portage, IN to Lowell, IN is about 34.6 miles (55.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 23.4 miles (37.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 46m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Ross Township, Lake County, Indiana
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Portage and Lowell.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portage and Lowell.
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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
19.1 mi · 22 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward SR 2: Lowell
1726 ft · 38 sec
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15
Turn right onto East 181st Avenue
4.6 mi · 7 min · East 181st Avenue
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16
Continue on East Commercial Avenue
1.5 mi · 4 min · East Commercial Avenue
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Commercial Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Portage and Lowell.
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.
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
19.1 mi · 00h 22m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Portage and Sunny near Lowell.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Portage to Lowell?
The road trip is about 34.6 miles (55.7 km) and usually takes 00h 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?
Merrillville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.3 miles from Portage and 17.3 miles from Lowell.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 23.4 miles (37.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.2 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 4:56 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.60 one way or $9.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Portage and Sunny near Lowell.
Stop Ideas Near Merrillville
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 Merrillville.
Gary, IN
Dyer station
Hammond–Whiting station
Homewood
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Portage and Lowell. Straight-line distance: 23.38 mi (37.63 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 Lowell
Town in Lake County, Indiana, United States
| Population | 9,450 |
| Coordinates | 41.2914200, -87.4205900 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lowell (-87.42059, 41.29142)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 56 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.60 | $9.20 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.19 | $10.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.68 | $11.36 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.47 | $12.94 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.