How far is Waterloo, IN from Portage, IN?
The driving distance from Waterloo, IN to Portage, IN is about 172.7 miles (277.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.3 miles (238.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 46m 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 53m.
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
Chance Drizzle
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterloo and Portage.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo and Portage.
-
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
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9
Merge slight left
9.2 mi · 11 min
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10
Keep slight left
3.9 mi · 5 min
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11
Take the exit slight left toward I 65 North: Chicago
1.1 mi · 2 min
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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
117.5 mi · 2 hr 8 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit
1.4 km · 1 min
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on Central Avenue
1760 ft · 38 sec
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18
Turn right onto Central Avenue
4.3 mi · 9 min · Central Avenue
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19
Continue on Central Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Central Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterloo and Portage.
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
118 mi · 02h 08m
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 Chance Drizzle near Portage.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waterloo to Portage?
The road trip is about 172.7 miles (277.9 km) and usually takes 02h 53m 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 83.7 miles from Waterloo and 89 miles from Portage.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.3 miles (238.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.4 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:44 PM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.63 one way or $45.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.1 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Waterloo and Portage, 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 Chance Drizzle near Portage.
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 Portage. Straight-line distance: 148.28 mi (238.64 km).
#1 Waterloo
Waterloo is a place in Indiana, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.5625500, -86.1974900 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Portage
The second most populous city in Porter County, Indiana.
| Population | 90,543 |
| Coordinates | 41.5758700, -87.1761500 |
| Altitude | 194 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central Avenue (-87.17615, 41.575874)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 278 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.72 | $22.63 | $45.26 |
| Mid-grade | $4.32 | $26.33 | $52.65 |
| Premium | $4.85 | $29.51 | $59.02 |
| Diesel | $6.71 | $40.88 | $81.75 |
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