How far is Portage, IN from West Lafayette, IN?
The driving distance from Portage, IN to West Lafayette, IN is about 96.2 miles (154.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 80.7 miles (129.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 13m 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 01h 36m.
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.
Human settlement in Newton County, Indiana, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Portage and West Lafayette.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portage and West Lafayette.
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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 · 11 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
5.1 mi · 8 min · North River Road
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17
Turn right onto Quincy Street
1236 ft · 60 sec · Quincy Street
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18
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Salisbury Street
741 ft · 29 sec · North Salisbury Street
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19
Turn right onto North Street
669 ft · 32 sec · North Street
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20
Turn right onto Northwestern Avenue
11 m · 2 sec · Northwestern Avenue
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Northwestern Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Portage and West Lafayette.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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 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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Portage and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near West Lafayette.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Portage to West Lafayette?
The road trip is about 96.2 miles (154.8 km) and usually takes 01h 36m 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 47.9 miles from Portage and 48.3 miles from West Lafayette.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 80.7 miles (129.8 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 3:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.78 one way or $25.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.1 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Portage and West 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 West Lafayette.
Stop Ideas Near Mount Ayr
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 Mount Ayr.
Rensselaer
Kankakee
Gilman
Dyer station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Portage and West Lafayette. Straight-line distance: 80.68 mi (129.84 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 West Lafayette
The most populous city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.
| Population | 51,605 |
| Coordinates | 40.4258700, -86.9080700 |
| Altitude | 186 |
| Country | United States |
End: Northwestern Avenue (-86.908094, 40.425857)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 155 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $12.78 | $25.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $14.42 | $28.84 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $15.78 | $31.55 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $17.98 | $35.96 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.