How far is Prairie Creek, IN from Gary, IN?
The driving distance from Prairie Creek, IN to Gary, IN is about 179.8 miles (289.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 160.4 miles (258.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 10m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Grant Township, Benton County, Indiana, United State
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Prairie Creek and Gary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prairie Creek and Gary.
-
1
Start on West 158th Drive
54 m · 10 sec · West 158th Drive
-
2
Turn right
7.4 mi · 13 min
-
3
Turn slight right
2.1 mi · 4 min
-
4
Continue on South State Road 63
2.8 mi · 5 min · South State Road 63
-
5
Continue on Prairieton Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Prairieton Road
-
6
Continue on 1st Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · 1st Street
-
7
Turn right onto Ohio Street
726 ft · 14 sec · Ohio Street
-
8
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
1.9 mi · 4 min · South 3rd Street
-
9
Turn straight onto Chicago
63.3 mi · 1 hr 21 min
-
10
Continue straight
47.3 mi · 1 hr
-
11
Turn right onto State Road 14
9.5 mi · 13 min · State Road 14
-
12
Take the ramp left
2584 ft · 1 min
-
13
Merge slight left
37.8 mi · 42 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
1.4 mi · 3 min
-
15
Merge slight left onto Borman Expressway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Borman Expressway
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward Grant Street
1831 ft · 45 sec
-
17
Keep slight right
103 m · 8 sec
-
18
Turn straight onto Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
-
19
Turn right onto West 15th Avenue
2432 ft · 56 sec · West 15th Avenue
-
20
Turn left onto Harrison Boulevard
2011 ft · 1 min · Harrison Boulevard
-
21
Turn right onto 10th Place
77 m · 11 sec · 10th Place
-
22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 10th Place
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Prairie Creek and Gary.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Chicago
Turn straight onto Chicago
63.3 mi · 01h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Prairie Creek and Mostly Sunny near Gary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Prairie Creek to Gary?
The road trip is about 179.8 miles (289.3 km) and usually takes 03h 10m 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?
Boswell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.2 miles from Prairie Creek and 89.5 miles from Gary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 160.4 miles (258.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.4 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:40 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.91 one way or $47.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.3 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Prairie Creek and Gary, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Prairie Creek and Mostly Sunny near Gary.
Stop Ideas Near Boswell
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 Boswell.
Lafayette station
Danville, Illinois
Rensselaer
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Prairie Creek and Gary. Straight-line distance: 160.38 mi (258.1 km).
#1 Prairie Creek
Unincorporated community in Vigo County, Indiana
| Population | 1,171 |
| Coordinates | 39.2750400, -87.4972400 |
| Altitude | 162 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gary
The most populous city in Lake County, Indiana.
| Population | 74,693 |
| Coordinates | 41.5933700, -87.3464300 |
| Altitude | 183 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-87.346439, 41.59327)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 289 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.91 | $47.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.96 | $53.93 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.51 | $59.01 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.63 | $67.25 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.