How far is Wakarusa, IN from Gary, IN?

The driving distance from Wakarusa, IN to Gary, IN is about 81.1 miles (130.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 68.7 miles (110.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
81.1 mi
01h 30m
Flight
68.64 mi
110.47 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Wakarusa.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
68.64 mi
Kilometers
110.47 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
81.1 mi
Kilometers
130.52 km
Drive Time
01h 30m

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 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Gary
Wed, May 13, 3:50 PM CDT
Return by in Wakarusa
Wed, May 13, 6:21 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wakarusa
2026-05-13T15:20
Arrive Gary
Wed, May 13, 4:50 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:31 AM to 10:31 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:28 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Wakarusa
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
New Carlisle
IN

Human settlement in St.

From Wakarusa
45.2 mi
00h 45m
To Gary
35.9 mi
00h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph NW
Destination
61°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Waterford Street

    1 mi · 2 min · East Waterford Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Nappanee Street

    6.7 mi · 10 min · Nappanee Street

  3. 3

    Turn left

    2536 ft · 1 min

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Saint Joseph Valley Parkway

    22.4 mi · 26 min · Saint Joseph Valley Parkway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 Toll, I 90 Toll

    2299 ft · 56 sec

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    142 m · 11 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    2198 ft · 53 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road

    57.4 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Indiana Toll Road

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 53: Broadway

    2139 ft · 56 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Broadway

    549 ft · 30 sec · Broadway

  11. 11

    Turn right onto West 4th Avenue

    1347 ft · 30 sec · West 4th Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Madison Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · Madison Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto 10th Place

    1298 ft · 57 sec · 10th Place

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 10th Place

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
14 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Indiana Toll Road
57.5 mi · 71%
Saint Joseph Valley Parkway
22.4 mi · 28%
Nappanee Street
6.67 mi · 8%
East Waterford Street
1 mi · 1%
I 80 Toll
0.94 mi · 1%
Madison Street
0.74 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Indiana Toll Road

Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road

57.5 mi · 01h 03m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 30m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.4 mi
68.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
New Carlisle
00h 45m from Wakarusa
Leave By
3:28 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Wakarusa 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 Wakarusa to Gary?

The road trip is about 81.1 miles (130.5 km) and usually takes 01h 30m 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?

New Carlisle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 45.2 miles from Wakarusa and 35.9 miles from Gary.

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

The direct path is about 68.7 miles (110.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:28 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.79 one way or $21.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.4 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Wakarusa and Mostly Sunny near Gary.

Stop Ideas Near New Carlisle

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

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

RAIL

South Bend station

18 mi away
2702 West Washington Avenue
RAIL

New Buffalo, Michigan

21 mi away
517 South Whittaker Street
RAIL

New Buffalo

22 mi away
226 North Whittaker Street
RAIL

Niles station

26 mi away
598 Dey St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wakarusa and Gary. Straight-line distance: 68.64 mi (110.47 km).

Wakarusa

#1 Wakarusa

City in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States of America

Population1,848
Coordinates41.5361600, -86.0208300
Altitude258
CountryUnited States
Gary

#2 Gary

The most populous city in Lake County, Indiana.

Population74,693
Coordinates41.5933700, -87.3464300
Altitude183
CountryUnited States
Start: East Waterford Street (-86.020828, 41.536051)
End: (-87.346439, 41.59327)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 131 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.86 gal
10.83 L · about $10.79
Round trip
$21.57
5.72 gal · 21.66 L
Estimated CO2
25.4 kg one way
Round trip: 50.8 kg / 112 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.79 $21.57
Mid-grade $4.25 $12.16 $24.33
Premium $4.65 $13.31 $26.62
Diesel $5.30 $15.17 $30.34

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 13, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Wakarusa, IN and Gary, IN. The current time in Wakarusa is 15:20:03, although it is 14:20:03 in Gary.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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