How far is Sparta, IN from Gary, IN?

The driving distance from Sparta, IN to Gary, IN is about 238.8 miles (384.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 210.3 miles (338.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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
238.8 mi
03h 57m
Flight
210.3 mi
338.45 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sparta.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
210.3 mi
Kilometers
338.45 km
Flight Time
00h 25m

Driving Distance

Road route
238.8 mi
Kilometers
384.31 km
Drive Time
03h 57m

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 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Gary
Wed, Oct 14, 12:28 AM CDT
Return by in Sparta
Wed, Oct 14, 5:25 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sparta
2026-10-13T21:30
Arrive Gary
Wed, Oct 14, 1:28 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
8:57 AM to 10:57 AM CDT

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

Leave by
9:06 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sparta
9:00 PM EDT
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
Pike
IN

Unincorporated community in Boone County, Indiana

From Sparta
118.9 mi
01h 58m
To Gary
119.9 mi
01h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Tonight

Clear

Starts
Tue, Oct 13 6:00 PM EDT
Wind
7 mph SW
Destination
80°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Oct 13 4:00 PM CDT
Wind
10 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Sparta and Gary.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sparta and Gary.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    57 m · 14 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right

    5.2 mi · 8 min

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Warpath Drive

    3 mi · 4 min · North Warpath Drive

  4. 4

    Turn right onto North Meridian Street

    8.7 mi · 14 min · North Meridian Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left toward I 74 West: Indianapolis

    994 ft · 24 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    61.6 mi · 1 hr 6 min

  7. 7

    Continue on Southeastern Avenue

    1.2 mi · 1 min

  8. 8

    Continue on Southeastern Avenue

    3.6 mi · 6 min · Southeastern Avenue

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Southeastern Avenue

    32 m · 6 sec · Southeastern Avenue

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout onto Southeastern Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Southeastern Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on Cruse Street

    129 m · 14 sec · Cruse Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto East Market Street

    111 m · 16 sec · East Market Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Dickson Street

    526 ft · 20 sec · Dickson Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto East Ohio Street

    39 m · 6 sec · East Ohio Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Dickson Street

    542 ft · 22 sec · Dickson Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto East New York Street

    647 ft · 26 sec · East New York Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto North Pine Street

    1019 ft · 27 sec · North Pine Street

  18. 18

    Take the ramp straight

    38 m · 3 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on I 65 North: Chicago

    1265 ft · 31 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left

    29.6 mi · 36 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward US 52 West

    1281 ft · 16 sec

  22. 22

    Keep slight left

    786 ft · 10 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight left

    116.8 mi · 2 hr 7 min

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago

    1.4 mi · 3 min

  25. 25

    Merge slight left onto Borman Expressway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Borman Expressway

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight right toward Grant Street

    1831 ft · 45 sec

  27. 27

    Keep slight right

    103 m · 9 sec

  28. 28

    Turn straight onto Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard

  29. 29

    Turn right onto West 15th Avenue

    2432 ft · 56 sec · West 15th Avenue

  30. 30

    Turn left onto Harrison Boulevard

    2011 ft · 1 min · Harrison Boulevard

  31. 31

    Turn right onto 10th Place

    77 m · 11 sec · 10th Place

  32. 32

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 10th Place

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sparta and Gary.

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
32 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
4 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 52 West
117 mi · 49%
I 74 West
61.8 mi · 26%
I 65 North
29.8 mi · 12%
North Meridian Street
8.67 mi · 4%
Southeastern Avenue
6.27 mi · 3%
North Warpath Drive
3.04 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 52 West

Merge slight left

117 mi · 02h 07m

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 57m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.5 mi
210.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pike
01h 58m from Sparta
Leave By
9:06 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Clear leaving Sparta and Sunny near Gary.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sparta to Gary?

The road trip is about 238.8 miles (384.3 km) and usually takes 03h 57m 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?

Pike is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118.9 miles from Sparta and 119.9 miles from Gary.

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

The direct path is about 210.3 miles (338.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:06 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.94 one way or $65.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.9 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Clear around Sparta and Sunny near Gary.

Stop Ideas Near Pike

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

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

BUS

Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana

36 mi away
1000 Smith Ave
RAIL

Crawfordsville

37 mi away
Spring and Green Streets
RAIL

Lafayette station

48 mi away
200 North 2nd St.
RAIL

Indianapolis Union Station

49 mi away
350 South Illinois Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sparta and Gary. Straight-line distance: 210.3 mi (338.45 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Sparta

Unincorporated community in Dearborn County, Indiana, United States

Population2,992
Coordinates39.1053300, -85.0452300
Altitude279
CountryUnited States
Gary

#2 Gary

The most populous city in Lake County, Indiana.

Population74,693
Coordinates41.5933700, -87.3464300
Altitude183
CountryUnited States
Start: Sparta Pike (-85.045318, 39.105294)
End: (-87.346439, 41.59327)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 384 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.43 gal
31.9 L · about $32.94
Round trip
$65.87
16.86 gal · 63.8 L
Estimated CO2
74.9 kg one way
Round trip: 149.8 kg / 330 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.91 $32.94 $65.87
Mid-grade $4.49 $37.82 $75.63
Premium $5.01 $42.26 $84.52
Diesel $6.64 $55.96 $111.92

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 · Oct 13, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Sparta, IN and Gary, IN. The current time in Sparta is 21:30:56, although it is 20:30:56 in Gary.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.