How far is Waterloo, IN from Gary, IN?
The driving distance from Waterloo, IN to Gary, IN is about 166.7 miles (268.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 152.7 miles (245.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST.
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 48m.
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.
Town in Indiana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Drizzle then Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterloo and Gary.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo and Gary.
-
1
Start on County Road 600 North
59 m · 10 sec · County Road 600 North
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2
Turn left onto South Morgantown Road
4 mi · 7 min · South Morgantown Road
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Morgantown Road
30 m · 2 sec · North Morgantown Road
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4
Exit the roundabout onto North Morgantown Road
1 mi · 2 min · North Morgantown Road
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5
Turn left onto West County Line Road South
1940 ft · 41 sec · West County Line Road South
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6
Take the ramp slight right
1931 ft · 47 sec
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7
Merge slight right
3.3 mi · 5 min
-
8
Take the exit slight left toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
1.4 mi · 3 min
-
9
Merge slight left
9.2 mi · 11 min
-
10
Keep slight left
3.9 mi · 5 min
-
11
Take the exit slight left toward I 65 North: Chicago
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
12
Merge slight right
17.9 mi · 20 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 52 West
1281 ft · 16 sec
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14
Keep slight left
786 ft · 10 sec
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15
Merge slight left
116.8 mi · 2 hr 7 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
1.4 mi · 3 min
-
17
Merge slight left onto Borman Expressway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Borman Expressway
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward Grant Street
1831 ft · 45 sec
-
19
Keep slight right
103 m · 9 sec
-
20
Turn straight onto Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
-
21
Turn right onto West 15th Avenue
2432 ft · 56 sec · West 15th Avenue
-
22
Turn left onto Harrison Boulevard
2011 ft · 1 min · Harrison Boulevard
-
23
Turn right onto 10th Place
77 m · 11 sec · 10th Place
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 10th Place
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterloo and Gary.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Patchy Drizzle then Mostly Cloudy leaving Waterloo 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 Waterloo to Gary?
The road trip is about 166.7 miles (268.2 km) and usually takes 02h 48m 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?
Battle Ground is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.6 miles from Waterloo and 84.1 miles from Gary.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 152.7 miles (245.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 14 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:54 PM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.85 one way or $43.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.3 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Waterloo and Gary, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Drizzle then Mostly Cloudy around Waterloo and Mostly Cloudy near Gary.
Stop Ideas Near Battle Ground
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 Battle Ground.
Lafayette station
Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana
Crawfordsville
Rensselaer
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Gary. Straight-line distance: 152.72 mi (245.78 km).
#1 Waterloo
Waterloo is a place in Indiana, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.5625500, -86.1974900 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| 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: 268 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.72 | $21.85 | $43.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.32 | $25.42 | $50.84 |
| Premium | $4.85 | $28.49 | $56.99 |
| Diesel | $6.71 | $39.47 | $78.93 |
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