How far is Portage, IN from Wakarusa, IN?

The driving distance from Portage, IN to Wakarusa, IN is about 74.3 miles (119.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 59.8 miles (96.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 09m 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
74.29 mi
01h 34m
Flight
59.79 mi
96.23 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
59.79 mi
Kilometers
96.23 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
74.29 mi
Kilometers
119.56 km
Drive Time
01h 34m

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 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wakarusa
Wed, May 13, 4:57 PM EDT
Return by in Portage
Wed, May 13, 5:32 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Portage
2026-05-13T14:22
Arrive Wakarusa
Wed, May 13, 3:57 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:35 AM to 12:35 PM EDT

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

Leave by
3:20 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
New Carlisle
IN

Human settlement in St.

From Portage
37.1 mi
00h 47m
To Wakarusa
37.2 mi
00h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW
Destination
55°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Central Avenue

    1861 ft · 53 sec · Central Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Willowcreek Road

    1 km · 1 min · Willowcreek Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Crisman Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Crisman Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East: Detroit

    2268 ft · 55 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    20.3 mi · 22 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East, US 35 South: La Porte, South Bend

    2175 ft · 55 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    11.7 mi · 16 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    12.5 mi · 16 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East, US 31 South: Mishawaka, Plymouth

    2273 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Saint Joseph Valley Parkway

    18.5 mi · 21 min · Saint Joseph Valley Parkway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 19 South: Wakarusa, Nappanee

    2390 ft · 58 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto South Nappanee Street

    6.4 mi · 9 min · South Nappanee Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto East Waterford Street

    1 mi · 2 min · East Waterford Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Waterford Street

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 20 East
25 mi · 34%
I 94 East
20.7 mi · 28%
Saint Joseph Valley Parkway
18.5 mi · 25%
South Nappanee Street
6.35 mi · 9%
Crisman Road
1.25 mi · 2%
East Waterford Street
1 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 94 East

Merge slight left

20.3 mi · 00h 22m

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 34m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.5 mi
59.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
New Carlisle
00h 47m from Portage
Leave By
3:20 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Portage and Chance Rain Showers near Wakarusa.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 74.3 miles (119.6 km) and usually takes 01h 34m 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?

New Carlisle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.1 miles from Portage and 37.2 miles from Wakarusa.

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

The direct path is about 59.8 miles (96.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.5 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 3:20 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.88 one way or $19.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.3 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Portage and Chance Rain Showers near Wakarusa.

Stop Ideas Near New Carlisle

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

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

RAIL

South Bend station

18 mi away
2702 West Washington Avenue
RAIL

New Buffalo, Michigan

21 mi away
517 South Whittaker Street
RAIL

New Buffalo

22 mi away
226 North Whittaker Street
RAIL

Niles station

26 mi away
598 Dey St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Portage and Wakarusa. Straight-line distance: 59.79 mi (96.23 km).

Portage

#1 Portage

The second most populous city in Porter County, Indiana.

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

#2 Wakarusa

City in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States of America

Population1,848
Coordinates41.5361600, -86.0208300
Altitude258
CountryUnited States
Start: Portage (-87.17615, 41.57587)
End: Wakarusa (-86.02083, 41.53616)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 120 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.62 gal
9.92 L · about $9.88
Round trip
$19.76
5.24 gal · 19.84 L
Estimated CO2
23.3 kg one way
Round trip: 46.6 kg / 103 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.88 $19.76
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.14 $22.29
Premium $4.65 $12.19 $24.39
Diesel $5.30 $13.90 $27.79

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 13, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Portage, IN and Wakarusa, IN. The current time in Portage is 14:22:52, although it is 15:22:52 in Wakarusa.

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.