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Trip from Austin, IN to Hammond, IN

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 29m

Distance

235.5 mi

379 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 16m ★
6 AM
4h 30m
8 AM
4h 56m
10 AM
4h 39m
12 PM
4h 36m
3 PM
4h 40m
5 PM
4h 55m
8 PM
4h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Scott County, Indiana, United States

Austin, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Austin, IN to Hammond, IN covers 235.5 miles and takes about 4h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 65, Borman Expressway, US 31 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 221.5 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.82 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

117.8 miles from Austin, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 221.5 mi 4h 6m
Borman Expressway 8 mi 10m
US 31 1.7 mi 2m
173rd Street 1 mi 2m
West Booe Road 0.3 mi 1m
Indianapolis Boulevard 0.3 mi <1m
US 52 0.2 mi <1m
Columbia Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 221.5 mi, about 4h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Austin, IN and Hammond, IN.

1

Start on West Booe Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · West Booe Road
2

At end of road, turn right onto US 31

1.7 mi · 2 min · US 31
3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec
4

Merge onto I 65

75 mi · 1 hr 23 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 65

30 mi · 35 min · I 65
Use the slight right lane.
6

Take the exit onto US 52

0.2 mi · 15 sec · US 52
Exit 141 Toward US 52 West
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 9 sec
8

Merge onto I 65

117 mi · 2 hr 7 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

1.4 mi · 2 min
Exit 259A Toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago Use the slight right lane.
10

Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6

8.0 mi · 10 min · Borman Expressway
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 2 Toward SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward SR 152 North: Indianapolis Boulevard Use the slight left lane.
13

Turn straight onto SR 152

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Indianapolis Boulevard
14

Turn left onto 173rd Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · 173rd Street
Use the left lane.
15

Turn right onto Columbia Avenue

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Columbia Avenue
16

Arrive at destination

Columbia Avenue

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 117.8 miles from Austin, IN, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 221.5 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 52 miles or 59m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 117.8 miles or 2h 15m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 37m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hammond, IN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Austin, IN so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Austin, IN

This is one driving day of about 235.5 miles and 4h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Austin, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 221.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Wayne Township, Marion County, Indiana

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Speedway, IN

118 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Greenwood, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mulberry, IN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 117.8 miles from Austin, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 221.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Sushi Club (Sushi All You Can Eat)

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Indianapolis, Indiana

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 67.3

Hours: 11 am–3:30 pm

+13174978097

Visit website

Trish's Red Bird Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dayton, Indiana

0.9 mi

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Indianapolis, Indiana

0.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Region Cat Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Merrillville, Indiana

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 218.7

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

Visit website

Founders Grounds Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Speedway, Indiana

2.9 mi

Sushi Club (Sushi All You Can Eat)

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 67.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–3:30 pm

+13174978097

Visit website

Trish's Red Bird Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 134.6

Dayton, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm

+17652966964

Visit website

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 67.3

Indianapolis, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13178070248

Visit website

Lindo Mexico

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 67.3

Greenwood, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13178591336

Visit website

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 218.7

Merrillville, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+12195001370

Visit website

The Gourmet Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 218.7

Merrillville, Indiana

Hours: 10 am–7:30 pm

Visit website

Culver’s

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 16.8

Seymour, Indiana

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+18124052497

Visit website

Giovanni's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 235.5

Munster, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12198366220

Visit website

The Region Cat Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 218.7

Merrillville, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

Visit website

Founders Grounds Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 84.1

Speedway, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+13179815358

Visit website

Smalltown Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 218.7

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12193233948

Visit website

Kaffa Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 218.7

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+12192132613

Visit website

Sip Coffee House & Artisan Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 218.7

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12196629165

Visit website

Cafe Fresco

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 218.7

Crown Point, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12193108078

Visit website

Reed’s Place: Steak and Chop Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 16.8

Seymour, Indiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18122711298

Visit website

Indy with Kids

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 84.1

Indianapolis, IN

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13174555289

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 77.3 and 234.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
77.3 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in | I 65

Keep slight right at fork onto I 65

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
8
224.3 mi into trip | ~4h 11m in

Take the exit toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 259A Toward I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Chicago
8
233.7 mi into trip | ~4h 25m in

Take the exit toward SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 2 Toward SR 152 North, US 41 South: Indianapolis...
8
233.9 mi into trip | ~4h 25m in

Keep slight left at fork toward SR 152 North: Indianapolis Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward SR 152 North: Indianapolis Boulevard
6
234.4 mi into trip | ~4h 26m in | 173rd Street

Turn left onto 173rd Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$36.82 one way

$73.64 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 82 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $40.42 $80.85
premium $4.89 $45.32 $90.64
diesel $5.61 $52.00 $103.99

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$37

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 82.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 70.6 0 $24.73 $11.30
Efficient EV 58.9 0 $20.61 $9.42
EV Truck/SUV 94.2 1 $32.97 $15.07

Gas CO2

82 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Austin, IN

Afternoon in Austin on Saturday

Local time

4:11 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hammond, IN

Afternoon in Hammond on Saturday

Local time

3:11 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 15 mph 100% chance Live forecast

Tornado Warning

Tornado Warning issued April 17 at 11:29PM CDT until April 17 at 11:45PM CDT by NWS Northern Indiana

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 18 at 12:26AM EDT until April 18 at 1:30AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

1 hour earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

9 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 29m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana Dunes National Park

National Park

Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast. Over 50 miles of trails...

14 mi from route ~35 min detour $20 near mile 227.4
Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Park Closure: Mount Baldy Closure
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

235.5 mi in 4h 29m, mostly highway — 221.5 mi of that is on I 65.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 221.5 mi on I 65.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and Borman Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 77.3 miles in near I 65.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 235.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 77.3 miles (I 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 224.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 29m. Total distance: 235.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 221.5 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Hammond, IN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 77.3 miles (I 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 224.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Indiana Dunes National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Hammond, IN, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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