How far is Portage, IN from Van Buren, IN?

The driving distance from Portage, IN to Van Buren, IN is about 138.1 miles (222.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 109.4 miles (176 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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
138.11 mi
03h 16m
Flight
109.36 mi
176 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Portage.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
109.36 mi
Kilometers
176 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
138.11 mi
Kilometers
222.27 km
Drive Time
03h 16m

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 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Van Buren
Sun, May 31, 1:24 PM EDT
Return by in Portage
Sun, May 31, 3:41 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Portage
2026-05-31T09:07
Arrive Van Buren
Sun, May 31, 12:24 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:17 AM to 12:17 PM EDT

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

Leave by
10:26 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Portage
9:00 PM CDT
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
Walnut
IN

Unincorporated community in Marshall County, Indiana

From Portage
69 mi
01h 38m
To Van Buren
69.1 mi
01h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph E
Destination
75°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Portage and Van Buren.

  1. 1

    Start on Central Avenue

    1 km · 1 min · Central Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Airport Road

    1.7 mi · 4 min · Airport Road

  3. 3

    Turn left

    5.9 mi · 9 min

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward SR 49 South: Valparaiso

    2031 ft · 56 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    6.8 mi · 9 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 East: Plymouth

    1548 ft · 39 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto East Morthland Drive

    40.3 mi · 52 min · East Morthland Drive

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 31 South

    2480 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    4.1 mi · 5 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    1.4 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Turn slight right

    156 m · 7 sec

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    27.5 mi · 35 min

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West 1000 North

    11.1 mi · 16 min · West 1000 North

  14. 14

    Continue on State Road 16

    3.1 mi · 5 min · State Road 16

  15. 15

    Turn right onto North 500 West

    6.4 mi · 9 min · North 500 West

  16. 16

    Continue on County Road 500 West

    2271 ft · 38 sec · County Road 500 West

  17. 17

    Continue on North Cass Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · North Cass Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Cass Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Cass Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto West Canal Street

    954 ft · 22 sec · West Canal Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto South Wabash Street

    10.6 mi · 16 min · South Wabash Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Bruner Road

    571 ft · 11 sec · Bruner Road

  22. 22

    Continue on East 1100 South

    2.2 mi · 4 min · East 1100 South

  23. 23

    Continue on Bruner Road

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Bruner Road

  24. 24

    Continue on West 1100 South 35

    7 mi · 12 min · West 1100 South 35

  25. 25

    Turn right onto South 300 West

    1.1 mi · 2 min · South 300 West

  26. 26

    Continue on 900 East

    2.5 mi · 4 min · 900 East

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 900 East

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
27 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
4 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Morthland Drive
40.3 mi · 29%
US 31 South
33 mi · 24%
West 1000 North
11.1 mi · 8%
South Wabash Street
10.6 mi · 8%
SR 49 South
7.22 mi · 5%
West 1100 South 35
6.95 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

East Morthland Drive

Merge slight left onto East Morthland Drive

40.3 mi · 00h 52m

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 16m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.7 mi
109.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Walnut
01h 38m from Portage
Leave By
10:26 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Portage and Mostly Sunny near Van Buren.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Portage to Van Buren?

The road trip is about 138.1 miles (222.3 km) and usually takes 03h 16m 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?

Walnut is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69 miles from Portage and 69.1 miles from Van Buren.

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

The direct path is about 109.4 miles (176 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.7 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 10:26 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.36 one way or $36.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.3 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Portage and Mostly Sunny near Van Buren.

Stop Ideas Near Walnut

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

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

RAIL

South Bend station

56 mi away
2702 West Washington Avenue
RAIL

Elkhart station

60 mi away
131 Tyler Avenue
RAIL

Niles station

74 mi away
598 Dey St.
RAIL

New Buffalo, Michigan

81 mi away
517 South Whittaker Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Portage and Van Buren. Straight-line distance: 109.36 mi (176 km).

Portage

#1 Portage

The second most populous city in Porter County, Indiana.

Population90,543
Coordinates41.5758700, -87.1761500
Altitude194
CountryUnited States
Van Buren

#2 Van Buren

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

Population1,475
Coordinates40.6172700, -85.5047000
Altitude258
CountryUnited States
Start: Portage (-87.17615, 41.57587)
End: Van Buren (-85.5047, 40.61727)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 222 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.87 gal
18.45 L · about $18.36
Round trip
$36.73
9.74 gal · 36.9 L
Estimated CO2
43.3 kg one way
Round trip: 86.6 kg / 191 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.36 $36.73
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.71 $41.42
Premium $4.65 $22.66 $45.33
Diesel $5.30 $25.83 $51.66

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 31, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Portage, IN and Van Buren, IN. The current time in Portage is 09:07:37, although it is 10:07:37 in Van Buren.

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.