Interstate 80 / Interstate 90 – Indiana Toll Road: Elkhart to Gary

Drive America’s Highways as we travel 91 miles west along the Indiana Toll Road — the conjoined Interstate 80 and Interstate 90 — from Elkhart to Gary, Indiana. This route serves as a critical east-west corridor across northern Indiana, offering a steady stream of Midwestern travel through a mix of farmland, urban outskirts, and industrial cities, all while running just south of the Michigan border. Whether you’re making your way toward Chicago or connecting across the Great Lakes region, this stretch of highway is a vital link in the nation’s transportation backbone.

We begin our journey at the Elkhart interchange with State Road 19, just northeast of downtown Elkhart. Almost immediately, we merge onto the Indiana Toll Road, part of a longer transcontinental route that stretches from coast to coast. As we head west, the landscape quickly shifts from Elkhart’s commercial sprawl to more wooded areas, punctuated by farmland and small industrial zones. It doesn’t take long before we enter the outer edges of South Bend — home to Notre Dame University, one of Indiana’s most well-known institutions.

The drive through South Bend includes interchanges with Indiana 331 and U.S. 31, which provide access to downtown and the university district. If time allows, this area offers a worthwhile detour — especially for college football fans or those interested in exploring the beautiful campus and the nearby St. Joseph Riverwalk. We also pass IN-933, the old alignment of U.S. 31, which now serves local traffic through the heart of South Bend. As we curve northwest near the Michigan state line, the road subtly transitions into more forested surroundings before turning southwest just outside New Carlisle.

Crossing into La Porte County, we pass north of the city of La Porte itself, a region dotted with small lakes and rolling fields. The Toll Road avoids the city center, but a short drive south on U.S. 35 or Indiana 39 can get you there for local dining or a look at the historic courthouse. As we continue westward, we cross into Porter County and near the town of Chesterton, a popular gateway to Indiana Dunes National Park. The interchange with IN-49 here provides a direct connection to the dunes, beaches, and hiking trails along the southern shore of Lake Michigan — a great day trip option if you’re looking to stretch your legs.

Now solidly in the Chicago commuter belt, traffic density begins to pick up as we approach Lake County. The Toll Road enters Gary, a city steeped in industrial history and the birthplace of music legends like Michael Jackson. Here, Interstate 80 separates to join I-94 at a tolled interchange, while we continue west along I-90 proper. Passing through the heart of Gary, we briefly turn north and arrive at the northern terminus of Interstate 65 — a major route heading all the way south to Mobile, Alabama. This junction is a key transition point for freight and passenger traffic alike.

Beyond I-65, we make our way into Hammond, a dense industrial suburb that marks one of the final Indiana stops before entering Illinois. We skirt the edge of Wolf Lake Memorial Park — a popular spot for fishing, walking, and bird-watching — and then approach the West Point Toll Plaza. This toll plaza marks the final checkpoint before reaching the Illinois state line and the Chicago Skyway. It’s here, on the northern edge of Hammond and just a few miles from downtown Chicago, that our video ends.

Whether you’re crossing Indiana on a long-haul route or navigating between regional destinations, this drive showcases a vital stretch of Midwest infrastructure — one that connects small towns, major universities, and metropolitan gateways with a continuous ribbon of concrete and tollbooths.