Map 1 - the location of Starke County, Indiana in the heart of the Upper Midwest.
GEOGRAPHY AND LOCATION
Starke County is located in the heart of the industrial and commercial heartland of the upper Midwest. As Map 1, above clearly indicates, Starke County is located near the metropolitan Chicago region, and the major east-west and north-south highway arteries that radiate outward from the Chicago region.
Table 1 provides information on the distance and time to major upper Midwest industrial and commercial centers. Chicago is just 85 miles, or 1 hour and 43 minutes to the northwest, and Indianapolis, is 119 miles, or 2 and ½ hours to the south. Toledo, Detroit, Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Louisville are all within 300 miles or 5 hours of Starke County.
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Table 1 - MAJOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CENTERS OF
THE UPPER MIDWEST | ||
|---|---|---|
| Center | Distance (Miles) |
Driving Time (Hours & Minutes) |
| South Bend, IN | 47 | 1h.04m. |
| Gary, IN | 56 | 1h.06m. |
| Chicago, IL | 85 | 1h.43m. |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 95 | 2h.03m. |
| Indianapolis, IN | 119 | 2h.32m. |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 120 | 2h.10m. |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 161 | 2h.42m. |
| Milwaukee, WI | 185 | 3h.07m. |
| Toledo, OH | 207 | 3h.36m. |
| Dayton, OH | 223 | 4h.21m. |
| Peoria, IL | 223 | 3h.41m. |
| Cincinnati, OH | 234 | 4h.20m. |
| Louisville, KY | 247 | 4h.32m. |
| Detroit, MI | 256 | 4h.14m. |
| Cleveland, OH | 307 | 5h.11m. |
Table 2 demonstrates that it is convenient access to three interstate highway systems, I65, I80/90 (the Indiana Toll Road), and I94, as well as a network of US Highways (Map 2) that make Starke County's geographic position so advantageous. The I80/90 system is the primary east-west channel from Chicago through the Upper Midwest to the east coast. This system is within approximately 30 to 40 minutes from most areas in Starke County. The I94 system is about another 4 miles and 5 minutes away, and connects Starke County to the industrial areas of lower Michigan and the province of Ontario in Canada. (4 hours). I65 leads to the south through Kentucky and Tennessee. This system is about 1 hour away.
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Table 2 - MAJOR INTERSTATE CORRIDORS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Interstate | Corridor | Distance to Corridor from Starke County (miles) |
Driving Time to Corridor (minutes) |
| I 65 | Chicago - Indianapolis - Gulf Coast | 39 to 46 | 55 to 60 |
| I 80/90 | Chicago - Toledo - Cleveland - East Coast | 25 to 32 | 34 to 43 |
| I 94 | Chicago - Detroit - Ontario (Canada) | 29 to 36 | 39 to 48 |
The network of US Highways in the upper Midwest indicates that Starke County is indeed well-placed. (Map 2). U.S. Highway 30 is a major east-west four lane highway crossing north central Indiana, from Fort Wayne to metropolitan Chicago. US 30 passes through northern Starke County. U.S. Highway 35 connects the ports and industry in northwest Indiana with the central cities of the state, including Kokomo, and via US 31, Indianapolis. US 35 passes through the center of Starke County. U.S. Highway 421 also originates in northwest Indiana, and proceeds southward to pass through western Starke County to connect to US 231. Communities to the south within this corridor include Lafayette/West Lafayette, Terre Haute (via I70), Vincennes, and Evansville on the Ohio River.
Map 2 - Starke County Highway Connections - click for larger map.