How far is Van Buren, IN from Gary, IN?
The driving distance from Van Buren, IN to Gary, IN is about 158.1 miles (254.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 117.3 miles (188.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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 02h 58m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Van Buren and Gary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Van Buren and Gary.
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1
Start on 900 East
2.5 mi · 4 min · 900 East
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2
Continue on South 300 West
1.1 mi · 2 min · South 300 West
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3
Turn left onto West 1100 South
7 mi · 12 min · West 1100 South
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4
Continue on Bruner Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Bruner Road
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5
Continue on East 1100 South
2.2 mi · 4 min · East 1100 South
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6
Continue on Bruner Road
571 ft · 12 sec · Bruner Road
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7
Turn right onto South Wabash Street
10.7 mi · 16 min · South Wabash Street
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8
Turn left onto West Market Street
957 ft · 22 sec · West Market Street
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9
Turn right onto South Cass Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · South Cass Street
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10
Continue on North Cass Street
1.3 km · 1 min · North Cass Street
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11
Continue on County Road 500 West
2271 ft · 38 sec · County Road 500 West
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12
Continue on North 500 West
6.4 mi · 10 min · North 500 West
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13
Turn left onto State Road 16
3.1 mi · 5 min · State Road 16
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14
Continue on East 1000 North
11.1 mi · 16 min · East 1000 North
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15
Turn right
32.9 mi · 41 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West: Valparaiso
1453 ft · 49 sec
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17
Merge slight left
40.3 mi · 52 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward SR 49 North, SR 2 East: Valparaiso, Chesterton
9.2 mi · 13 min
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19
Turn left onto I 80, I 90: Toll Road
120 m · 10 sec
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20
Continue straight
757 ft · 18 sec
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21
Continue on I 80, I 90: Toll Road
125 m · 10 sec
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22
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago
1246 ft · 31 sec
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23
Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road
15.6 mi · 18 min · Indiana Toll Road
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24
Take the exit slight right toward SR 53: Broadway
2139 ft · 56 sec
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25
Turn left onto Broadway
549 ft · 30 sec · Broadway
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26
Turn right onto West 4th Avenue
1347 ft · 30 sec · West 4th Avenue
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27
Turn left onto Madison Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Madison Street
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28
Turn right onto 10th Place
1298 ft · 57 sec · 10th Place
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 10th Place
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Van Buren and Gary.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
US 30 West
Merge slight left
40.3 mi · 00h 52m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Van Buren and Rain Showers near Gary.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Van Buren to Gary?
The road trip is about 158.1 miles (254.4 km) and usually takes 02h 58m 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?
Argos is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.7 miles from Van Buren and 83.4 miles from Gary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 117.3 miles (188.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.8 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.55 one way or $43.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.6 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Van Buren and Gary, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Van Buren and Rain Showers near Gary.
Stop Ideas Near Argos
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 Argos.
South Bend station
Elkhart station
Niles station
New Buffalo, Michigan
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Van Buren and Gary. Straight-line distance: 117.22 mi (188.65 km).
#1 Van Buren
Human settlement in Grant County, Indiana, United States of America
| Population | 1,475 |
| Coordinates | 40.6172700, -85.5047000 |
| Altitude | 258 |
| 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: 254 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.86 | $21.55 | $43.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $24.86 | $49.72 |
| Premium | $4.99 | $27.83 | $55.67 |
| Diesel | $6.62 | $36.95 | $73.89 |
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 15, 2026