How far is Prairie, IN from Gary, IN?
The driving distance from Prairie, IN to Gary, IN is about 302.3 miles (486.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 255.9 miles (411.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
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 05h 22m.
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.
Human settlement in Vermillion County, Indiana, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Prairie and Gary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prairie and Gary.
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1
Start on Raben Road
2764 ft · 2 min · Raben Road
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2
Turn right
24.9 mi · 29 min
-
3
Take the exit slight right toward US 41 North
1.3 mi · 3 min
-
4
Continue straight
51.4 mi · 1 hr 3 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward US 41 North, US 150: Terre Haute
57.7 mi · 1 hr 18 min
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6
Turn straight onto Chicago
63.3 mi · 1 hr 21 min
-
7
Continue straight
47.3 mi · 1 hr
-
8
Turn right onto State Road 14
9.5 mi · 13 min · State Road 14
-
9
Take the ramp left
2584 ft · 1 min
-
10
Merge slight left
37.8 mi · 42 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
1.4 mi · 3 min
-
12
Merge slight left onto Borman Expressway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Borman Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Grant Street
1831 ft · 45 sec
-
14
Keep slight right
103 m · 9 sec
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15
Turn straight onto Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
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16
Turn right onto West 15th Avenue
2432 ft · 56 sec · West 15th Avenue
-
17
Turn left onto Harrison Boulevard
2011 ft · 1 min · Harrison Boulevard
-
18
Turn right onto 10th Place
77 m · 11 sec · 10th Place
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 10th Place
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Prairie and Gary.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Prairie and Mostly Cloudy near Gary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Prairie to Gary?
The road trip is about 302.3 miles (486.5 km) and usually takes 05h 22m 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?
Fairview Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 149.9 miles from Prairie and 152.4 miles from Gary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 255.9 miles (411.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.4 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:16 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.65 one way or $79.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Prairie and Mostly Cloudy near Gary.
Stop Ideas Near Fairview Park
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 Fairview Park.
Danville, Illinois
Crawfordsville
Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana
Illinois Terminal
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Prairie and Gary. Straight-line distance: 255.94 mi (411.9 km).
#1 Prairie
City in United States of America
| Population | 207 |
| Coordinates | 37.9214300, -87.9819700 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| 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: 487 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.72 | $39.65 | $79.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.32 | $46.13 | $92.25 |
| Premium | $4.85 | $51.71 | $103.41 |
| Diesel | $6.71 | $71.62 | $143.23 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026